Catalytic converter is the basic component of exhaust system. According to claims of manufacturers, it should work properly for a long period of car usage and remain in use for the mileage around 200.000 – 300.000 km. However, failures may happen earlier. The reasons are usually simple – the most common one are temperature changes.
Hot and cold.
If the catalytic converter is free of mechanical failures and the engine works properly, the reactor’s lifetime may be shortened only – apart from regulated LPG installation – by thermal conditions.
The reactor works in a very high temperature, at the level exceeding 500°C and this is why sudden temperature changes are so hazardous. What is meant here is of course drastic cooling, which may lead to crushing of internal catalytic converter’s structures, especially if the catalytic converter is ceramic. Such sudden cooling may take place for instance when the car drives through a paddle.
A common cause of problems with catalytic converters is a long term drive without properly warmed engine, especially on a expressly enhanced fuel mixture. The problem arises when not fully combusted fuel gets to the exhaust system, which means also to the catalytic converter.
Apart from difficulties related to temperature fluctuations, a quick wear of catalytic converters is a common problem of gas installation users. This hazard is brought about by faulty regulation of LPG installation. Too enhanced air-gas mixture accelerates the process of reactor wear.
