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The catalytic converter usually has an Oxygen Sensor before and after the converter. The hot exhaust gases of the exhaust heat up a catalystic and the voltage is proportional to Oxygen. By measuring before and after the catalytic converter, you have a sense if the Catalytic converter is working correctly in cleaning up the exhaust. The exhast to be cleaned up correctly requires the PCM to sometimes run Lean fuel mixture, to clean up NOx, and sometimes Rich mixture to clean up HC (Hydrocarbons). So PCM cycles the fuel mixture between rich and lean many times in the process of driving, so that to get optimal efficiency of the catalytic converter. However, if you have a vacuum leak, your engine will run LEAN and the PCM will compensate and force it to run rich instead. After a while, by running rich too much, you are throwing unburned fuel into the exhaust pipe, causing Catalytic converter to become Red hot and causing it to fail. So in short, running Rich, not lean, can cause converter failure.
What else can I help you with?
How long should a catalytic converter last?
A catalytic converter should NEVER go bad unless something causes it such as a RICH or a LEAN condition. What is a "RICH OR A LEAN CONDITION"?
What would make your passenger side manifold overheat on a 1995 Chevy caprice lt1 motor?
You need to take it to a Repair shop and have them scan the computor. A lean condition will cause it and will also damage the catalytic converter.
What causes code P0174 Bank 2 lean?
catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, exhaust leak
99 windstar is running lean did diagnostic test said bank 1 and 2?
Bank 1 is the upper oxygen sensor(s) before the catalyst (catalytic converter) bank 2 is the oxygen sensor after the catalyst (catalytic converter)
2003 ford expedition bank 1 sensor 1 senor stuck lean?
97 expedition having same prob heard catalytic converter ? hope not 97 expedition having same prob heard catalytic converter ? hope not
What is the working principle of oxygen analyzer?
Sensor 1 (before the catalytic converter) adjusts the fueling based on sensing if the engine is burning fuel rich or lean. The post-converter sensor detects if the converter is operating properly by looking for a difference in readings
Can holes in the exhaust manifold cause a car to throw a P0420 code?
Yes, A hole could cause the O2 sensor to see a lean condition and add excessive amounts of fuel. The excess fuel will damage the converter overtime and cause the code.
What is a P2096 trouble code for a 2005 neon srt4?
Trouble Code P2096 means:Post catalytic converter fuel trim FT,Bank 1 too lean
Can a vaccum hose cause a car to run lean?
Yes. A cracked or disconnected vacuum hose allowing un-metered air to enter the system can cause a lean condition.
Why is the back converter is glowing red after changing both O2 sensors on a 2000 ford explorer xlt v6?
A catalytic converter will rarely fail without a problem or malfunction occurring somewhere in the emission system in front of the converter. It is important to determine what caused the converter to fail, so that the problem can be fixed and to prevent a recurrence of the failure. The converter is super-heated due to a raw fuel condition in the exhaust flow. The excess unburned fuel ignited when it struck the hot ceramic catalyst and drove the temperature far above the normal operating condition of the converter. The ceramic catalyst is unable to with stand the extremely high temperature and begins to melt. The ceramic collapses and the converter is destroyed. The melted ceramic may block the exhaust flow and cause additional damage to the engine. A converter glowing red-hot or evidence of heat discoloration confirm this situation.The too-rich condition that led to this converter meltdown could be the result of a number of malfunctions including faulty oxygen sensor, an incorrect fuel mixture, worn spark plugs or plug wires, a faulty check valve, incorrect ignition timing, sticking float, faulty fuel injectors, a failed fuel pressure regulator or other ignition malfunctions. An oxygen sensor failure can lead to incorrect readings of exhaust gasses. The faulty sensor can cause a too-rich or too-lean condition. Too rich and the catalyst can melt down. Too lean and the converter is unable to convert the hydrocarbons into safe elements and may not pass a state inspection.
What is a lean condition in a Toyota 4-runner?
A lean condition is too much air and not enough fuel The cause can be a fuel delivery problem,02 sensor,MAF sensor or a vacuum leak
What does code 171 on a Kia Sportage mean?
po171 means System too lean in bank 1 ,translation o2 sensor bad, probably the one before catalytic converter,but could be one after cat.
