| [ Total Views: 605 | Total Replies: 4 | Thread Id: 88579 ] |
|
|
 donn
Wolfsburg Elder
Posts: 3515
Threads: 428
Registered: November 30th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: NEWCASTLE NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: LAID BACK AND CONFUSED
|
| posted on February 6th, 2011 at 06:35 PM |
|
|
catalytic converter
Can anyone here explain in simple language what a catalytic converter is, what it does, how it does it and what would be the result if it was removed
from the system.
Easy as ?
Thanks
Don
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
|
|
|
Snap Crackle Bang
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 146
Threads: 9
Registered: August 30th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Location: Fernvale
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on February 6th, 2011 at 06:46 PM |
|
|
The cat is a device which burns off many of the nasty chemicals from the exhaust. They contain a "honeycomb" which is coated with thin layers of
expensive materials (the catalyst) which makes these reactions happen. They only work over a narrow range of temperatures and oxygen content. That's
why carburettors basically disappeared as soon as cars got cats. (They can get cooked very quickly if your engine is running rich.) Unless they get
blocked they should not actually affect the engine's performance if they are of suitable size.
|
|
|
Phil74Camper
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
Head in the Clouds
Posts: 2703
Threads: 193
Registered: August 28th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on February 6th, 2011 at 07:43 PM |
|
|
The catalytic converter was designed to deal with harmful pollution causing gases that are produced in the combustion chamber a vehicle's engine.
The catalytic converter turns gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides into non-toxic emissions such as carbon dioxide and
water vapour.
The toxic gases pass over the catalytic converter's chemical coated ceramic honeycomb and the resultant chemical reaction renders the gases harmless.
The catalytic converter only works at high temperatures, by mounting it near the manifold the converter heats up quickly. So when the engine is cold,
noxious gases are getting through to the atmosphere until the engine warms up.
You cannot use leaded fuel with a catalytic converter as the lead coats the chemicals on the honeycomb and the gases can no longer come into contact
with them, which renders it ineffective. Therefore only unleaded fuel vehicles are fitted with cats. Since the late 1980s all Australian-market cars
are required by law to have them, and it's illegal to remove them.
While the catalytic converter requires no maintenance and would be expected to last the life of the vehicle with normal use, it can be damaged by
impact.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter
|
|
|
68AutoBug
A.k.a.: Lee Noonan
Aircooled Master
Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138% - YIKES --
Posts: 11654
Threads: 449
Registered: August 31st, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: SCONE in UPPER HUNTER VALLEY NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Yellow
Mood: Really Mentally Ill - all of the time -
|
| posted on February 6th, 2011 at 11:38 PM |
|
|
| Quote: | Originally
posted by donn
Can anyone here explain in simple language what a catalytic converter is, what it does, how it does it and what would be the result if it was removed
from the system.
Easy as ?
Thanks
Don
|
IF YOU HAVE ONE ONE YOUR BUGGY DON
TAKE IT OFF.... LOL
 
LEE
- [size=4]Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY--- [/size]
|
|
|
donn
Wolfsburg Elder
Posts: 3515
Threads: 428
Registered: November 30th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: NEWCASTLE NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: LAID BACK AND CONFUSED
|
| posted on February 7th, 2011 at 05:07 AM |
|
|
None on the buggy Lee but there is one on the soob, had a small problem with the soob yesterday (actualy has been going on for a few days but wifie
thought it "just needs a service") with the motor running on 3 under acceleration, NRMA fell told me that that means that one cylinder is pumpiung
unburned fuel through the exhaust system (well that's obviouse) and that this can ruin the cat by blocking it up with the result of poor performance
as the exhaust gasses can't get away properly, fella next door told me he just removed the cat from the system and the car goes just as well as ever,
so with the exception of the legal and moral side of it (pumping more dangerous emisions into the atmosphere) it seems that removal will not hurt the
engine. Correct? 
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
|
|
|
