Send comments to

Catalytic Converter Failure: Now What?

An important device that is standard equipment on vehicles built since 1975 is the catalytic converter. This part, when properly working, will significantly reduce pollutants from your engine before they leave your exhaust. A catalytic converter is essential toward promoting overall environmental cleanliness; most state auto inspection stations will check to see if yours is working as part of their regular inspection of your vehicle. If your vehicle fails inspection your catalytic converter may need to be replaced. Let’s take a look at what a catalytic converter does and how you can save money in replacing one should it fail.

As your engine burns fuel, it produces environmentally harmful gases. These gases, if not handled properly, will leave your car’s exhaust and work harm on the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency, established in 1970, began to require that cars come equipped with devices to reduce harmful emissions. Thus, the catalytic converter was born.

The catalytic converter in your vehicle is installed in the exhaust line between the exhaust manifold and the muffler. Pellets inside the converter work to change the harmful gases into harmless gases before they leave the tailpipe and out into the open air. Thus, a properly functioning catalytic converter is essential toward maintaining good air quality.

Signs of a deteriorating catalytic converter include the following:

In each case the diagnosis is for you to replace your catalytic converter immediately.

Whether you are purchasing a Ford catalytic converter or a BMW catalytic converter it does help to shop around. While some people turn to manufacturers to find replacement parts, ordering through online shops such as Car Parts Stuff can result in significant savings for you. In addition, the information provided online will go far toward helping you decide which product is right for your car.

Matthew Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of social, human interest, as well as business related topics. You can preview samples from his high performing site at http://www.thearticlewriter.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
http://EzineArticles.com/?Catalytic-Converter-Failure:-Now-What?&id=61077

Catalytic Converter Hazards!

Government auto emissions control legislation mandates that virtually all cars built or sold in the U.S. come equipped with a catalytic converter. A smart device, catalytic converters help to convert dangerous and polluting exhaust gases into less harmful carbon dioxide and water. As helpful of a device that it is, there are some hazards that come with the use of a catalytic converter. Read on to learn what you need to know about your vehicle’s catalytic converter.

Many consider a catalytic converter to be a godsend. With pollution levels ever climbing, the U.S. government acted to reduce harmful pollutants in a step to clean up the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency was formed by the Nixon Administration and the agency was instrumental in passing the Clean Air Act to help America control pollution. Since 1975 virtually every passenger vehicle has come equipped with a catalytic converter.

As helpful as catalytic converters can be, they can be problematic. Besides catalytic converter failure, which generally goes unnoticed until your vehicle flunks its next inspection, it is the intense heat of the unit that can cause problems.

If you work on your own vehicle, you need to let your car cool down completely before working near the exhaust system. Catalytic converters get very hot, as hot as 1800 degrees, and any burn sustained from touching a hot converter can be very dangerous, even deadly.

Motorists have also learned that a catalytic converter can be a fire hazard. For the past three decades police and fire department reports have indicated that many car fires have been started because a motorist parked their car over dry leaves. Even when the engine is off the hot converter can drop a spark which can ignite leaves underneath. If that happens, your car can be engulfed in mere minutes and destroyed by the conflagration.

There are also hazards that occur to the catalytic converter itself. Because the unit burns at such hot temperatures, catalytic converters can suffer rapid thermal deactivation. Some experts suggest switching to synthetic engine oil to help reduce phosphorous contaminants a known contributor to catalytic converter failure.

No, you cannot legally remove your catalytic converter as you may become subject to stiff fines and penalties. Yes, if your car was built before 1975, none of these concerns matter to ou so enjoy your classic and let her rip without pollution controls holding you back!

Copyright 2006 – Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer covering topics from replacement auto parts to auto show information. To find quality catalytic converters such as a Ford catalytic converter or a VW catalytic converter shop online at the Auto Parts Warehouse today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
http://EzineArticles.com/?Catalytic-Converter-Hazards!&id=155501