It must get hot to perform at it's best.
us BUILT VEHICLES GENERALLY CARRIED A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY.bUT IT COULD ONLY BE 60,000.
catalytic converter stopped up
Sounds like the Catalytic Converter may be malfunctioning. If your vehicle has an onboard computer, you may have the issue diagnosed by visiting your local mechanic. Some auto parts stores can check your computer for any prevailing codes also. Catalytic Converter have a 80,000 mile warranty.
A catalytic converter works by the various precious minerals and metals inside it. Quite simply they convert the dangerous chemicals inside the exhaust gases(carbon monixide,NOx etc) into less harmful ones (carbon dioxide etc). Due to the minerals and metals inside though they are often target to thieves as they can fetch quite a high price at the scrap yard. The catalytic converters that got stole off the HGV's at our work had a value of £800!Catalytic converters work by having the heated gases react with the precious metals in the catalytic converter. There is platinum palladium and rhodium in a catalytic converter all three are very expensive and rare metals. Because of the honeycomb shape of the catalytic biscuit there is a lot of surface area for the gas to be neutralized on.Prior to catalytic converters being on every car for every mile you drove your car would punch out somewhere around 100g's of pollution. After the addition of catalytic converters with platinum and palladium this number dropped to less than 1g of pollution per mile. After the addition of rhodium it dropped N/E which is non detectable.
could it be an old clogged catalytic converter ?
No, for example a Chrysler vehicle has an 8 year 80,000 mile emission warranty that covers the catalytic ocnverter.No, for example a Chrysler vehicle has an 8 year 80,000 mile emission warranty that covers the catalytic ocnverter.
Code P0420 is: Upstream catalytic conveter efficency below threshold. Bring your car to your Dodge dealer and have them fix it under warranty. A 2003 Dodge Neon has a 5 year 50,000 mile warranty on emissions!
Call a local muffler shop for cheapest rate. Price range from $150-400 depending whether they use a universal or complete assembly from dealer. Also, in the US, all dealers have to replace defective catalytic converters for FREE if it falls under the 8yr/80,000 mile warranty.
dont know, dont care
A partially clogged converter will rarely prevent you from driving the car. You can usually drive it indefinitely if it is only partially clogged. You will however see a drop in performance and fuel mileage. Once the converter becomes completely clogged, which is will over time, it must be replaced. Also if you have state emissions testing it will fail with a bad converter. A bad converter is also polluting the atmosphere. Before replacing the converter find out why it failed. Also know that the converter may be covered by the 8 year 80,000 mile federal emissions warranty.
Check for restriction in exhaust sytem or plugged catalytic converter
In the USA original equipment catalytic converters are generally covered under the 8 year, 80,000 mile federal emissions warranty.