If a light bulb with a catalyst icon comes on often, it means that it is overheating, and after a while it will need to be repaired. After a series of overheating, it is damaged and engine power is noticeably lost.
Necessary
- - keys set;
- - gas-burner;
- - grinder;
- - a hammer;
- - drill.
Instructions
Step 1
Drive the car into a hole, let the exhaust pipes cool so as not to accidentally burn yourself.
Step 2
Lubricate the threads with power steering fluid and, using the hex sockets, try to loosen the catalyst retaining nuts. Power steering fluid has powerful anti-corrosion properties. Do not try to unscrew the nuts with 12-sided spanners. as a result of repeated prolonged heating to a high temperature, the metal of the nuts became softer, and the threaded connection with the stud became scaled. In addition to dross, there is usually stuck road dust and rust on the outer part of the thread. It is advisable to remove them with a metal brush.
Step 3
Typically, the scale in the threads seals well, so if the nut does not loosen, heat it up with a gas torch. Heat gradually, each time trying to unscrew the nut. An overheated nut can lose its shape if you try to unscrew it. When working with an open fire, be careful to heat only one. Keep a water bottle ready at all times so you can immediately refill a lit part.
Step 4
If the nuts do not loosen, cut them off with a grinder. Then knock out the rest of the studs.
Step 5
Disconnect the catalytic converter electrical connector.
Step 6
Disconnect the flange connections and remove the old catalyst from the exhaust system. Carefully inspect the condition of the ceramic grid. If its cells have lost their correct square shape, melted and overlapped, the catalyst should be replaced.
Step 7
If funds permit, buy a new catalyst. This is the best option, as in this case you will restore the economy of the car and return the previous engine power.
Step 8
In case of lack of funds, take a long drill with a diameter of 30-40mm (slightly smaller than the diameter of the exhaust pipe) and drill a through hole in the fused honeycomb. The goal is to make a hole for the exhaust gas outlet with a minimum effect of the catalyst barrel, since any off-design expansion of the exhaust pipe leads to a violation of the disturbance of wave processes in the exhaust tract and reduces the engine power. For this reason, you should not knock it out with a hammer and chisel, since cracks will form on impacts and over time, the catalyst will fall apart, which will ultimately lead to an additional decrease in engine power.
Step 9
Use a metal brush to remove scale from the exhaust flanges.
Step 10
Match the new copper rings to the diameter of the old o-rings. As a last resort, you can use old rings. To do this, clean their mounting surfaces and, when connecting the flanges, generously lubricate with gray sealant.
Step 11
Install the catalytic converter to the car. Connect the catalytic converter electrical connector to the onboard wiring harness.
