Certain components in cars exhibit varying rates of wear and tear – some deteriorate quickly, while others experience a more gradual decline. Nevertheless, every vital element within a car system will ultimately necessitate replacement due to the inevitability of wear and tear. In the event of a malfunction in critical components, such as the converter, complete replacement becomes imperative. This particular component plays a pivotal role in the purification of exhaust gases, making negligence an unacceptable option.
Should you find yourself with an old exhaust treatment system that has ceased to function, you have the option to take it to a scrap yard or an automotive service center for potential sale. Alternatively, a more convenient avenue is to utilize an online platform dedicated to catalytic converter disposal. For instance, you can check the Kia Catalytic converter scrap value as well as price lists for other models.
What factors most affect the wear of this component? Let’s explore further.
What Causes Your Converter to Wear Out?
Understanding the reasons behind the premature deterioration of this component will help you prolong its functionality. Natural wear of an emission control device occurs after covering 100-200 thousand kilometers. However, this process can be accelerated due to factors such as:
Fuel Quality
Poor-quality fuel requires the converter to work much harder. Inferior gasoline contains a high level of various impurities. Deposits can form during the process, making the system less effective and harming its overall lifespan.
Fuel-to-Air Ratio
Imbalances in the fuel-to-air ratio, whether too much or too little fuel, can lead to overheating of the emission control device. This, in turn, results in various damages to its structure.
Ignition Issues
Simple problems like faulty spark plugs or other ignition system components can cause incomplete fuel combustion. This leads to an increased presence of harmful impurities in the exhaust gasses, placing additional stress on the converter. More workload usually translates to a shorter lifespan.
Mechanical Damage
Collisions or navigating uneven terrain can result in mechanical harm to the emission control device. This, in turn, has an adverse impact on its functionality and may demand an expedited replacement. Furthermore, such damage has the potential to release harmful substances into the environment, emphasizing the urgency of promptly disposing of the old component and installing a replacement.
High Operating Temperature
The converter is highly sensitive to temperature conditions. Failure to maintain a normal operating temperature can result in premature wear. This applies to situations of both overheating and insufficient warming up.
What Can You Do to Avoid Such Problems?
The recommendations are common and familiar to almost every driver. They include:
- Regular maintenance checks,
- Use of high-quality fuel,
- Timely resolution of malfunctions, especially in the ignition system.
However, if an unfortunate situation occurs, and your emission control device is broken, you can sell it on the AutoCatalyst Market website.
