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Exhaust System
Exhaust system performs multiple functions
A vehicle’s exhaust system has many functions. First and foremost it directs the hot and toxic gases of combustion away from the occupants and out by the rear of the vehicle. Secondly the catalytic converter removes pollutants. A three way catalytic converter reduces nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen. It oxidizes carbon monoxide changing it to carbon dioxide and it oxidizes unburned hydrocarbons to create water and carbon dioxide Also the muffler quiets the noise created by combustion in the engine. If you have been to the drag strip you know what a vehicle with no muffler sounds like.
Catalytic converters remove exhaust pollutants
The catalyst in catalytic converters is made of platinum, palladium and/or rhodium. These are all precious metals making cats expensive The price of these metals is so high that converters are being cut off of trucks right on the street
Two things which can damage a cat are lead and silicon Lead comes from leaded gas which is quite rare nowadays Silicon is present in engine coolant, so if a condition exists in which the coolant is leaking into the exhaust it can poison the cat. If the vehicle is smoking out the exhaust this could be coolant and the vehicle should not be driven. Another condition which can cause damage to the cat is an engine misfire which puts unburned fuel into the cat causing it to overheat and break apart If this happens the converter breaks apart and some pieces often get stuck in the muffler causing a restriction necessitating replacement of the muffler too As long as the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system is working, a check engine light will flash on and off if this misfire condition is present. A vehicle should never be driven if the check engine light is flashing.
“Cats” are expensive
An original equipment catalytic converter can be quite expensive Often the cost of the cat itself is in the neighborhood of $1000.00 Aftermarket converters are less expensive but acceptable if they are the right capacity and design for the vehicle
Aftermarket mufflers are usually a good alternative and less expensive.
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