Every year, the requirements for emission standards are becoming more and more stringent. It is no longer possible to find on the roads even a 10-year-old car that is not equipped with an exhaust after-treatment system. If we are talking about diesel cars, these are diesel particulate filters and the SCR system. As for gasoline, here the cleaning scheme is somewhat different. So, the catalyst plays a key role in this matter. What is it and why is it removed? All of this we will consider in our article today.
Characteristic
So what is this element for? The catalytic converter is used to clean the exhaust from harmful metals and other elements that pollute the environment. Externally, this element is a kind of thickened pipe. Inside it are long and hollow honeycombs. They are made of ceramic elements.
And so that the reaction of the conversion of harmful gases into harmless oxides occurs quickly, there is a deposition of noble metals on the honeycombs. Also note that the operating temperature of the converter starts at 700 degrees Celsius. Therefore, this part of the exhaust system is one of the most loaded.
What is it removed for?
Catalyst removal is a fairly common service in Russia. Almost every motorist sooner or later removes this element. What is the reason for this? This is primarily due to price. After all, the cost of a new catalytic converter is about 30 thousand rubles. This is a lot, besides they are not always available. Therefore, the removal of the catalyst is made primarily for the sake of economy. After all, the cost of this service does not exceed 15 thousand rubles.
Other benefits
Since such a catalyst no longer has entrails, its resource is not limited. If we talk about factory neutralizers, they become clogged after about 100 thousand kilometers. As a rule, the issue of catalyst removal becomes relevant after 4-5 years of car operation. After performing this procedure, the resource of the element will be the same as that of the exhaust pipe or exhaust manifold. In other words, it will require replacement when it is deformed or rusted (which will come soon, because the walls are rather thick).
About power
Talking about the pros and cons of catalyst removal, it is worth considering such a question as an increase in power. Does power really increase after such an operation? To answer this question, it is enough to know only the elementary laws of physics. Since such a catalyst no longer contains numerous cells through which all particles must pass, the gases are fully released without delay. Thus, the purge of the cylinders is increased.
But you should not expect from such an operation a significant increase in traction. Indeed, as practice shows, the maximum power increases by only 3 percent (and even because the old catalyst was completely clogged and the gases barely passed through the melted cells). In view of this, the owner may feel a slight increase in power.
Also note that some consider this procedure as an occasion to install a tuned exhaust manifold. Yes, this will really facilitate the removal of gases into the atmosphere. But again, this will not add significant power. As a result of the removal of the catalyst and the installation of a tuned "spider", the power will increase by a maximum of 5-7 horsepower, reviews say.
Among the significant advantages can be noted the fact that the engine will not become clogged with ceramic dust from the old catalyst. This has a positive effect on its resource. Motorists do not provide exact data, but the fact that catalyst particles will not enter the combustion chamber is an undoubted plus.
Catalyst Removal and Fuel Consumption
Many drivers are tormented by the question of whether the consumption will increase after doing such an operation. Experts say that the car will consume the same amount of fuel as with a working catalyst. Count on any profitability is not worth it. But the increase in consumption will not happen.
About the pitfalls
It is worth telling not only the pros, but also the cons of removing the catalyst. First of all, on such a car the amount of harmful substances in the exhaust will increase. In Russia there are no toughened requirements regarding this issue. However, if you plan to travel to Western Europe, you can get a serious fine. Also among the disadvantages is the smell of exhaust. Since the gases will not be cleaned, the smell becomes more toxic. This is especially noticeable when in traffic. Gases through the vents in the trunk will enter the cabin.
Another minus is a louder exhaust sound. Especially it increases at high speeds - it becomes more sonorous. Also among the shortcomings, it is necessary to note the need to install a blende of an oxygen sensor or firmware of the engine ECU. If this is not done, the system will detect a malfunction of the catalyst. After all, the toxicity of gases at the inlet and outlet does not change. This is accompanied by a constantly lit “Check engine” lamp on the instrument panel. Additionally, errors on the exhaust system during computer diagnostics will be displayed. To eliminate these problems, a flashing is required for Euro-2.
Essence of the work
What is the essence of the work? The removal of the neutralizer takes place in several stages. So, first the car is driven onto a lift, then the grinder roughly cut off the catalyst and gutted its insides. When there is a void inside, the catalyst is again put back.
This is usually done with a welding machine. After that, the machine undergoes firmware. The specialist connects to the electronic engine control unit through the diagnostic connector and fills in new “brains”. Typically, such firmware has the same configuration, except that it meets lower environmental requirements (Euro-2 or lower).
Is it possible to do it yourself?
If we talk about the technical part, you can cut and knock out the inside of the catalyst yourself. To do this, you only need a grinder and a welding machine, then to re-weld this structure. But flashing should be done only at specialized service stations. The “Gulf” is not the right program, it is impossible to predict how the car will behave. Therefore, the removal of the catalyst is most often carried out in specialized workshops in the complex.
First, the insides are "knocked out" (tobish do mechanical work), and then the block is reflashed. Now there are a lot of services that remove the catalyst in Moscow and the regions. The average cost of such work is from 10 to 15 thousand rubles.
To summarize
So, we examined the pros and cons of catalyst removal. Let's summarize. What does removal of the catalyst give? First of all, we get rid of the need to purchase an expensive element of the exhaust system. We will have a hollow pipe, the resource of which is almost unlimited. Also slightly increase engine power. in terms of fuel consumption, the car remains the same. Although, as noted by some reviews, the removal of the catalyst allowed to reduce consumption by 2 percent.
Is it worth it to perform such an operation? If you are not ready to spend that kind of money to buy a new catalyst that will fail again after 100 thousand kilometers, removing it is the only right and budget way out.