A catalytic converter is an essential emissions control device in most modern vehicles. It works to reduce toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust fumes before they exit the tailpipe. Unfortunately, catalytic converters have become a primary target for thieves in recent years due to the valuable metals found inside them. Once a converter has been stolen or “cut off” from a vehicle, drivers are faced with replacing the entire converter or reinstalling the cut-off Catalytic Converter. Several factors must be considered when determining whether a severed catalytic converter can be returned to service through proper reinstallation procedures.
Types of Catalytic Converters
There are a few common types of catalytic converters, including:
Two-way catalytic converters are the most affordable and common converters installed on most light-duty vehicles. Two-way converters oxidize carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions released from internal combustion engines.
Three-way catalytic converters:Â They are considered more high-end. Three-way converters offer oxidation and reduction capability for nitrous oxides. This allows them to process three types of emissions – carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrous oxides. Most modern vehicles are equipped with three-way converters.
If you reside in California, it is important for you to know what sets CARB catalytic converters apart from others.
Diesel oxidation catalysts:Â These catalysts are found exclusively on diesel-powered vehicles. These specialized converters focus specifically on oxidizing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. They do not reduce nitrous oxides.
Steps for Reinstalling a Cut-Off Catalytic Converter
Reinstalling a cut-off catalytic converter is possible but involves meticulous effort. Key steps include:
- Thoroughly inspect the remaining converter components left on the vehicle and the cut-off converter itself for damage. Make sure the engine side conduit can still be welded. Verify serial numbers match between parts.
- Acquire any necessary replacement pieces that may be missing or damaged, such as the catalytic substrate material inside, heat shields, or hardware mounts. Proper replacement parts must be used.
- Safely remove any remaining original exhaust system components where the converter was cut from the vehicle. This is done through cutting or detaching clamps/gaskets.
- Using a skilled welder, securely weld the replacement converter section onto the existing exhaust conduits to close the system. Proper exhaust sealing must be assured.
- Reattach the full exhaust system to the vehicle frame through clamps or rubber gaskets, ensuring a tight seal with no chance of leaks.
- Upon reinstallation, thoroughly test drive the vehicle, check for any humming sounds of exhaust leaks, and monitor the Malfunction Indicator Lamp for any trouble codes.
Learn how to save money by using salvaged catalytic converters in our guide – is it a big risk or a big reward?
Tools and Materials Required
Critical materials needed when reinstalling a cut-off catalytic converter include:
- Welder (capable of handling automotive exhaust)
- Replacement catalytic converter section
- Exhaust pipe replacement pieces
- Proper clamps/gaskets for mounting
- Cutting tools
- Protective gear such as welding mask, gloves, etc.
Potential Installation Difficulties
While reusing a cut-off catalytic converter is possible, there can be technical challenges:
Compatibility Concerns:Â Mixing components from different vehicles or converter brands may impact the effectiveness of processing emissions through chemical reactions.
Improper Welding:Â Exhaust systems experience significant vibration and expansion/contraction cycles through heat. Any improper welding risks cracks or leaks.
Error Codes:Â If oxygen sensors detect an emissions change, the PCM may generate “check engine” errors requiring debugging and tuning work.
Increased Failure Risk: With one section of the converter being older, it may fail quicker than a brand-new OEM converter. Signs of failure include visible smoke or a rotten egg smell from the tailpipe, primarily upon startup.
Overall Cost Analysis
When considering the option of reinstalling a cut-off converter, a full cost-benefit analysis should be weighed with these metrics:
Price of a Brand New Catalytic Converter: $1,000 – $2,500+
Cost for Reinstallation Labor & Parts: $500 – $1,500+
- Labor rates about $50-$150 per hour
- Dependent on custom fabrication needs
Potential Service Fees: $100+
- Returning oxygen sensors
- Erasing engine error codes
While opting for a full new OEM factory catalytic converter is the easiest option, reinstallation costs can offer significant savings, especially on newer vehicles. However, meticulous installation is essential; otherwise, performance and check engine warning lights may persist, requiring further repairs.
Environmental Benefits
One of the greatest advantages of proper reinstallation of a cut-off catalytic converter tied to emissions output levels includes:
Significantly Reduced Toxic Emissions:Â Catalytic converters filter out over 90% of harmful poisonous carbon monoxide, various hydrocarbons, and nitrous oxides through specialized chemical reactions. This dramatically improves air purity.
Lowered Carbon Footprint:Â With reinstallation helping achieve lowered emissions back towards EPA compliance levels, this directly reduces a vehicle’s CO2 greenhouse gas emissions footprint.
Improved Local Air Quality:Â Stolen and disabled catalytic converters quickly increase localized poisonous emissions risks. Proper reinstallation reverses this, benefitting local air quality.
Substant environmental gains are obtained across reduced air pollution, greenhouse gas contributions, and public health risk mitigation by ensuring cut-off catalytic converters are correctly put back into operation rather than scrapped.
Potential Drawbacks
Despite the possible cost savings of a converter reinstallation compared to replacement, there remain a few disadvantages:
Complex Installation Process:Â Unlike simply bolting on a brand new CAT unit, reinstallations require skilled welding, adapting parts between unmatched converters, and precise tuning. This is well beyond the skills of the average vehicle owner.
Higher Part Costs:Â Besides paying for labor, making repairs using authentic OEM parts instead of third-party generics drives up expenses, even if less than full converter replacement.
Compatibility Challenges:Â Attempting to utilize the cut-off converter on a different vehicle make or model risks compatibility issues around fitment or tuning.
Increased Failure Risks:Â Once a catalytic converter has been compromised or cut from the exhaust system, internal damage may have occurred to the substrate, which could cause it to fail emission tests quicker than expected.
Professional Installation Strongly Urged
Considering the technical precision required for exhaust system fabrication and emissions tuning, a trained professional mechanic should only perform reinstallation of a cut-off catalytic converter. While do-it-yourself repairs may seem convenient, most owners need to gain the skills or equipment to ensure proper reinstallation.
Attempting a catalytic converter job without experience risks poor engine performance, warning lights, or further damage, including leaks, which cost much more in the long run. Investing in quality professional reinstallation is strongly recommended.
Conclusion on Reinstalling a Cut-Off Catalytic Converter
When a vehicle’s catalytic converter gets stolen, owners have options beyond just replacing the entire exhaust emission unit. In many cases, the cut-off converter can be reinstalled by a professional mechanic, provided it passes inspection, and the proper replacement parts are obtained.
While still highly inconvenient to vehicle owners victimized by catalytic converter theft, reinstallation offers cost savings over full replacement. It also retains meaningful environmental benefits by keeping the compromised converter out of a scrap yard. However, trying to tackle a catalytic converter reinstallation without the proper skills and resources generally causes more harm than good.
In the end, as long as quality parts are used and the installation is performed meticulously, reattaching a cut-off converter helps recover from financial and environmental theft.
