Description & Operation

Used on California vehicles, the catalytic converter is an efficient "clean-up" device added to the exhaust system to further help reduce engine pollutants. Harmful carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas are chemically changed into harmless carbon dioxide and water vapors as they pass through the converter. The catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system in front of the muffler(s), so that all exhaust gases must pass through it.

Engine maintenance is critical on vehicles equipped with a catalytic converter as misfiring or excessive richness of the fuel mixture can overheat converter and destroy its effectiveness. Also, unleaded fuel only must be used. Deposits from leaded gasolines and fuel additives containing sulfur, zinc, nickel or barium will ruin the catalyst and make it ineffective.