How to remove the catalytic converter from the car? Advantages and disadvantages

Every car has an exhaust system. It includes several structural elements. The main ones are the collector, resonator and muffler. In addition, a corrugation can be used in the system to reduce vibrations. But also a mandatory element in cars of Euro-3 and higher standards is a catalyst. What is it and do I need to remove the catalyst? We will talk in our today's article.

Characteristic

The catalyst is a component of the exhaust part of the car, which is designed to purify gases from harmful metals and oxides. Externally, the product is a kind of jar with a metal case.

Ceramic filling inside. The latter has numerous cells through which gases are purified. To speed up reactions in the element, special catalyst substances are used. These are, as a rule, expensive metals: palladium, rhodium, etc. It is they who turn harmful substances into harmless oxides.

About the resource

There is no resource or specific rule to replace this element. Yes, the numbers vary greatly. For some car owners, the catalyst works up to 150 thousand, for others, problems arise after 60. What is the reason? The fact is that the resource and condition of the catalyst depend on many factors. This is the serviceability of the ignition system, fuel quality, vehicle operating conditions. Therefore, the malfunction of the element must be judged by its characteristics. We list them below.

How to determine the failure of the catalyst?

The first sign indicating a malfunction is the yellow Check Engine light on the instrument panel. Why is it burning? It's simple: in the car, oxygen sensors monitor the condition of the filter (usually there are two of them). The first depends on the catalyst, the second stands behind it. And if the sensors detect deviations from the norm in toxicity (more precisely, in residual oxygen), the signal is transmitted to the electronic engine control unit, after which the yellow lamp lights up.

The next sign is a decrease in power and acceleration dynamics. It is known that the fewer parts that prevent the release of gases, the better the evacuation of cylinders. If the catalytic converter is clogged, it is more difficult for the exhaust gases to escape. Consequently, the engine will be “suffocated” by its own gases. The driver will feel it immediately by the uncharacteristic behavior of the car. The machine weakens and loses power.

This problem may be accompanied by increased fuel consumption. Since other information is received from the sensors, the ECU changes the composition of the fuel mixture. Also, the driver automatically presses the gas pedal harder than usual (after all, the car picks up speed more weakly). From this, the consumption increases by 5-10 percent.

Experts do not advise delaying the elimination of this problem. This is especially true in cases where part of the packing is broken, and the driver hears a characteristic ringing. This is dangerous because ceramic dust can get into the engine (especially if the catalytic converter is close to the cylinders – it is welded directly to the exhaust manifold).

Can the catalytic converter be removed?

In this situation, there are only two solutions. This is the replacement of the catalyst with a new one or its removal. Nobody uses the first option. After all, the price of the new filter will be 30 thousand conventional units. It is much cheaper to remove it, which frees you from periodic replacement. Indeed, in this case, the owner will no longer think about buying a new catalyst after 60 thousand kilometers. Therefore, when asked whether it is possible to remove the catalyst, experts give only a positive answer.

Advantages

What will change if the catalyst is removed? Among the positive aspects, first of all, it is worth noting the savings in money. After all, the procedure for removing the catalyst costs no more than 15 thousand, and a new catalyst costs 30. This operation also allows you to adjust the exhaust system (for example, install a sports exhaust manifold). Another advantage is the increase in the resource of the internal combustion engine. After all, ceramic powder in case of wear of the filler will no longer be able to get into the cylinder cavity and damage it in any way.

Now on the issues of increasing power and reducing consumption. Will this be true if the catalytic converter is planned to be removed? Reviews of those who carried out this procedure testify to the following. If we compare the indicators that were on the clogged catalyst before and after removal, then there will definitely be an increase in power. But this is negligible – only 3-5 percent, and even then because the gases normally could not free the cylinder chamber. Thus, the power of the car will not be higher than the factory values. The same applies to fuel consumption. If you remove the previously clogged catalyst, then in any case there will be a decrease in consumption.

disadvantages

Among the minuses, it is worth noting the increased toxicity of exhaust gases. Since there is no filter in the system, the smell of gases will be more pungent. Also, if removed incorrectly, the exhaust sound may change. Gets a little stronger. To avoid this, instead of a simple pipe, a flame arrester is welded in instead of a catalyst. It has a porous structure inside and partially dampens vibrations. As a result, the exhaust sound remains factory.

What else will happen if you remove the catalyst? The next disadvantage is that after removal, you have to install a minus or upgrade the ECU to the Euro-2 standard. This must be taken into account if you plan to independently remove the catalyst on the VAZ-2114. According to reviews, the easiest way is to buy a ready-made hook and install it in the standard hole of the oxygen sensor. At the end of the article, we will talk in more detail about the varieties of these elements.

How to remove the catalyst with your own hands?

The technology is quite simple. It consists in removing the ceramic packing from the catalyst. To do this, the car is driven into a viewing hole and the catalyst is removed. How to remove the catalyst? Usually has standard threaded fasteners. Next, with the help of a grinder, a part of the body is cut out. Such a slot is made so that it is convenient to get inside. Also, with the help of a hammer and a chisel, the ceramic filler is roughly mechanically beaten off.

After that, the cover is welded with a welding machine, and the device is installed in place. But since the oxygen sensor will remove the error (with the corresponding lamp on the instrument panel), a mechanical blender must be installed in advance. After that, the car will be ready for full operation.

Removal technology at the service station

The service usually removes the catalyst, and then replaces it with a flame arrester. This is a more correct solution. In this case, we get not only a quieter and more pleasant exhaust (without the hum that may have been in the previous version), but also less heating of the exhaust elements themselves. In other words, from a lower temperature, the muffler, which is the last link in the chain, will last us longer.

How to remove the VAZ catalyst? The removal procedure is as follows. The car is installed on a lift, then the specialists mechanically cut out the catalyst. After that, the distance between the pipes is measured and a flame arrester of the required length is selected according to these dimensions. It is important to know that the exhaust diameter can also be different. When the part is sized, the master welds the flame arrester using argon-arc welding. Next, the car descends from the elevator, and the master turns on the electronic unit. A new firmware that complies with the Euro-2 standard is “poured” through the diagnostic connector. It does not have a catalyst, so the Check Engine light will not come on.

Varieties of tricks

The hitch itself is a mechanical spacer. It is installed in front of the second lambda probe and allows you to set the values ​​​​so that the ECU does not give an error when the internal combustion engine is running without a catalyst. There are three types of traps:

• Empty. It is a tube with a thin hole at the end. On the other hand, an oxygen sensor is screwed onto it. The system works simply: a small amount of gases passes through the tube, so the sensor does not detect excess, and the lamp on the dashboard does not light up.
• With ceramic filling. The coupling itself has small cells that purify some of the gases to set normal values ​​in the sensor.

• Injection. They can be either empty or full. They are used in cases where the installation of a conventional hitch is problematic due to lack of space.

As for the price of the device, depending on the type and design, it can be purchased for 1-4 thousand conventional units.

Summing up

So, we find out whether it is necessary to remove the catalyst. Over time, this element fails (sticks). Therefore, every car owner will sooner or later remove the catalyst. As practice shows, the most successful option is to replace it with a flame arrester, followed by the installation of a blender or with a flashing of the electronic unit. But it is worth noting that the ECU firmware is a rather responsible process, and only qualified specialists should be trusted with this business. If you plan to remove the catalytic converter yourself, installing a hook is the safest option.