What is a catalytic converts?

Answer 1

It is a device which causes the oxidization of any remaining hydrocarbons in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine.

In other words, if you engine doesn't burn all of the gasoline, the catalytic converter will burn the rest... up to a point and provided that it doesn't get plugged because your engine is burning oil too.

Another perspective.it is a device on the exhaust pipe that scrubs toxic gas from the exhaust fumes.
A Catalytic Converter is a device that does filter toxic emissions to a lesser form so the engine emissions on the vehicle are less destructuve to the enviorment.

Generally in the United States, catalytic converters are required to have on a gas powered vehicle. Other areas around the world such as Japan and most countries in the European Union have laws that require these devices. Most third world countries and developing nations don't have laws in place that require catalytic converters on automobiles.

For more information about catalytic coverters, see: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/catalytic-converter.htm
A catalytic converter is a devise used in modern vehicles today that reduces the toxicity of carbon monoxide emissions and turns them into breathable air. Inside a catalytic there are ceramic honeycombs. The catalytic converter uses catalyst like platinum and palladium or rhodium metals to reduce harmful levels of dirty combustion waist. There are usually two oxygen (O2) sensors monitoring the air/fuel mixture ratio. In some cars there are more then two oxygen sensors usually located upstream (engine to cat) either on headers or on the side banks of 1 or 2 directly onto the engine block. To find out where Bank 1 and bank 2, call a auto parts store and have them read your firing order. bank one will be located on odd number spark plugs like 1,3,5,7 and bank 2 will be even numbers like 2,4,6,8. There is also a downstream O2 sensor doing the same job only its location is after the cat towards the muffler.

I mentioned the O2 sensors in here only because they work along side with the catalytic converter. When codes are given like a P0420, the computer of the vehicle gives 4 possible failures which reflect primarily on a failing o2 sensor or a bad Cat converter.

A bad Cat converter will either be clogged with carbon or the ceramic combs rattle under the car making it sound like you have rocks and metal rattling under the vehicle. When it clogs, the heat and pressure builds up and becomes back pressure sending pressure back to the engine. This will make the engine overheat. When the ceramic combs fall apart, your are not releasing clean air into the atmosphere. Replacement for these parts are costly in some states due to California emissions standards. Those states that follow California emissions require for your vehicle to pass emissions in order to get your plates. If your in a state that follows federal emissions standards then you can get away with using a universal cat usually costing 1/4 of the price of O.E.M. Cats.

Why is it more costly with California emissions standards?

this question leads me to the last thing to know about catalytic converters. Remember the precious metals I mentioned earlier? Platinum, palladium and rhodium... those catalyst are found in O.E.M. products. They have a higher surface level. And the last time I bought a Platinum product i.e. my wedding ring, i payed a small fortune that was bigger then a regular gold band.

And finally, to stop boring you with this knowledge that I share,

catalytic converters are the prize target on taller vehicles because it is easier to crawl under the SUV or truck that is higher off the ground and cut them off. They cut the cats off because of those very precious metals inside. People will get money for the metals inside.