212,000 miles - how long can I expect the catalytic converter to last? Not really having any problems but curious about others experience with this? Should I be proactive and replace before problem crops up? And what of the mufflers too? Thanks in advance...
02 TB Replace Exhaust
- Thread starter AppleJack
- Start date
By Definition... a Chemical Catalyst is '...any substance that can cause or accelerates chemical changes in other organic compounds and yet... remains unchanged and undiminished in its form and substance', Catalysts also have the properties of being able to accomplish these jobs for years on end while present in a confined matrix in very minute quantities.
Without exception, all CATS are constructed of durable, corrosion resistant Stainless Steel Containers that house either an oval or circular block-like objects made of fine, yet extremely brittle, Honey-Combed Ceramic materials. Those blocks are suspended inside of the CAT Containers within a non-flammable shock force insulating wrapper. All CATs function passively by using the waste heat from the engine to concentrate and re-burn noxious fumes on their way through the Exhaust Systems of three and four cycle engines.
These Ceramic Blocks are impregnated with very small quantities of Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium or other "Rare Earth" or "Precious Metals" that manage to convert unburned Hydro-Carbons on contact at high temperatures from within the exhaust stream involving the residues of incomplete combustion. These fumes produce toxic pollutants as an unhealthy mix of Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide as well as Water that also passes innocuously through as a steam by-product of normal combustion..
These are the things that can cause the Life Expectancy of CATS to become foreshortened:
(1) Engine Misfires ...These allow Too Much Un-burned Fuel to pass from within the Engine Cylinders into the Exhaust Stream. This problem of additional fuel can raise the temperature of the CATS to a dangerous and excessively high level approaching 900 Degrees Fahrenheit. Damage to the Ceramic Innards soon follows on. This can be discovered by using a Quality Scanner reading the Misfire Numbers that will register within the PCM and should always prompt an immediate repair of the cause and origin of these Misfires.
(2) Physical Damage ... This occurs after the Ceramic Honeycombs become Fractured by jouncing impacts that can dislodge the Ceramic Sections and shatter them into pieces. This action disrupts the even flow of the exhaust gasses through the system and causes the CATS to burn inefficiently. This can be investigated by using a Dead Blow Hammer and tapping underneath the CAT Cans and listening for a *tinkling" sound rebounding as the loose pieces rattle to the bottom of the CAT Cans.
(3) Coking and Choking ... that comes from the collection of unburned hydrocarbons collecting into a black, sticky carbon mass that will obstruct the flow of the exhaust stream as soon as it enters the CAT Cans, This will manifest as a reduction in engine power and performance that can only be achieved when an engine can literally "Breathe Easy". On occasion, Large Rust Flakes from the break down of Cast Iron Manifolds losing internal material to Rust and Oxidation will fall inside of the CAT Cans and obstruct the exhaust flow. This issue can be detected using a device that can measure Exhaust Back Pressure at the Tail Pipe.
Unless your vehicle is suffering from P0300 or P0301-P0306 codes or symptoms of Low or Reduced Power, more than likely... the CAT underneath your SUV is still functioning nominally, If it Works... Don't Fix It... and if it DOES require fixing... Use only a GM OEM Replacement CAT System under your Vehicle.
Without exception, all CATS are constructed of durable, corrosion resistant Stainless Steel Containers that house either an oval or circular block-like objects made of fine, yet extremely brittle, Honey-Combed Ceramic materials. Those blocks are suspended inside of the CAT Containers within a non-flammable shock force insulating wrapper. All CATs function passively by using the waste heat from the engine to concentrate and re-burn noxious fumes on their way through the Exhaust Systems of three and four cycle engines.
These Ceramic Blocks are impregnated with very small quantities of Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium or other "Rare Earth" or "Precious Metals" that manage to convert unburned Hydro-Carbons on contact at high temperatures from within the exhaust stream involving the residues of incomplete combustion. These fumes produce toxic pollutants as an unhealthy mix of Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide as well as Water that also passes innocuously through as a steam by-product of normal combustion..
These are the things that can cause the Life Expectancy of CATS to become foreshortened:
(1) Engine Misfires ...These allow Too Much Un-burned Fuel to pass from within the Engine Cylinders into the Exhaust Stream. This problem of additional fuel can raise the temperature of the CATS to a dangerous and excessively high level approaching 900 Degrees Fahrenheit. Damage to the Ceramic Innards soon follows on. This can be discovered by using a Quality Scanner reading the Misfire Numbers that will register within the PCM and should always prompt an immediate repair of the cause and origin of these Misfires.
(2) Physical Damage ... This occurs after the Ceramic Honeycombs become Fractured by jouncing impacts that can dislodge the Ceramic Sections and shatter them into pieces. This action disrupts the even flow of the exhaust gasses through the system and causes the CATS to burn inefficiently. This can be investigated by using a Dead Blow Hammer and tapping underneath the CAT Cans and listening for a *tinkling" sound rebounding as the loose pieces rattle to the bottom of the CAT Cans.
(3) Coking and Choking ... that comes from the collection of unburned hydrocarbons collecting into a black, sticky carbon mass that will obstruct the flow of the exhaust stream as soon as it enters the CAT Cans, This will manifest as a reduction in engine power and performance that can only be achieved when an engine can literally "Breathe Easy". On occasion, Large Rust Flakes from the break down of Cast Iron Manifolds losing internal material to Rust and Oxidation will fall inside of the CAT Cans and obstruct the exhaust flow. This issue can be detected using a device that can measure Exhaust Back Pressure at the Tail Pipe.
Unless your vehicle is suffering from P0300 or P0301-P0306 codes or symptoms of Low or Reduced Power, more than likely... the CAT underneath your SUV is still functioning nominally, If it Works... Don't Fix It... and if it DOES require fixing... Use only a GM OEM Replacement CAT System under your Vehicle.
I have an 06 with 288,000 miles, just passed inspection at the dealer here in NY. I'm on my 3rd exhaust after the cat, but the catalytic converter is still the original.