Regularly cleaning up your vehicle is a wise way to let your car accompany you longer. When it comes to this field, getting the catalytic converter removal tool is paid more attention.
However, its importance is not accessible to everyone. Also, the way to use it properly is not simple.
For these reasons, we come here today to lend you some key points which can help you to own your automobile wisely. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started now!
When And Why Do I Need To Cut Off A Catalytic Converter?
The car’s catalytic converter takes responsibility for cleaning the car exhaust. Thus it is a vital part of an automobile exhaust-emission-control system.
Once the component gets into trouble, the vehicle will operate more roughly, produce additional emissions, and have turned fuel to poor account.
In addition, some problems in the engine, like spark plugs or coolant leaks, can trigger the item to start to deteriorate and overheat. And we can not rule out other external factors and time that contribute to this issue.
To confirm the right time to perform the replacement, it isn’t hard to hear some odd noises when you start the motor. For example, the car sounds like a helicopter when accelerating.
Furthermore, when this equipment has a problem, the engine performance takes a turn for the worse; the car’s engine warning light will be activated automatically and let you know the exhaust network doesn’t work properly.
These are obvious telltales to let you know the necessity of checking the component; the sooner, the better.
Changing a defective catalytic converter at an auto shop can cost you too much. So it would be helpful if you consider saving your budget wisely by using some jack stands and hand equipment to do it yourself.
Catalytic Converter Removal Tool
Removing a catalytic converter isn’t too hard. Yet, it would help if you equip some necessary equipment to carry out the process: Jack stands, ratchet and socket set, oxygen sensor socket, and penetrating oil. All of these are easy to lay your hands on.
The next part will be detailed instructions on how to remove the catalytic converter properly, and you need to have enough of the set of catalytic converter tools to do the removal smoothly. This is a key base to carry out catalytic converter replacement.
How To Cut Catalytic Converter
Here we introduce you to the easiest way to cut off a catalytic converter with 7 simple steps.
Step 1
Jack up your car
Choosing a flat place to park your car and using jack stands to jack your automobile up (at all wheels).
Changing a car’s catalytic converter bears no resemblance to changing a tire – you need to lift the entire car up off the ground instead of one corner.
In addition, it is vital to park your vehicle on a level surface during this maintenance. Otherwise, you can be more likely to be injured in the repair process if these jacks fail.
If you own a professional-quality-hydraulic lift as well as get the best way to use it safely, don’t skip using the useful tool to raise your vehicle up when you intend to change the converter.
Step 2
Leave the car’s exhaust emission to get cool.
If your car has not had enough time to get cool after operating, its exhaust network might still be pretty hot.
So to cut down the risk of burns, allow your automobile to have time to completely cool down before maintaining it.
Depending on the car exhaust system, the step will normally last just a couple of minutes.
Wear a pair of mechanic’s gloves, then use the back of your hand to give some smooth strikes on the exhaust pipe. In case you don’t feel hot that much, you might carefully redo this check without your gloves.
Step 3
Pinpoint the position of the catalytic converter.
Slide underneath the car and identify tubes of the exhaust emission system, which often accompanies the car’s back exhaust.
It isn’t too hard to find the converter, which normally takes the shape of a rounded “box” or a roughly cylindrical one in the center of the exhaust system. Moreover, some versions might have a rectangular form.
Inspect to see whether this converter is welded or bolted to the remainder of this system at its interconnection points.
If it’s been changed and soldered already, instead of bolted, you should perhaps take it to a repair shop.
Still, once you are confident in your experience in replacing a welded catalytic converter (you have to use a Sawzall and a welding machine safely), you can do it yourself.
Step 4
Detach the oxygen (O2) sensor from the converter.
Most up-to-date converters are furnished with at least one O2 sensor that constantly controls the effectiveness of the vehicle’s exhaust system.
If the converter entails an O2 sensor, utilize a ratchet wrench and an O2 sensor socket to disconnect them before proceeding.
When this step is finished, let the sensor away from your position so that it can’t make you mess up with the remainder of this process.
Step 5
Apply penetrating liquid to the component’s bolds if bolted.
There can be a number of poor bolt problems, such as jamming into its nuts, partially-corroded or rusted ones.
These defective ones are likely hard to detach. So applying some penetrating oil to loosen them easier.
Let the liquid sink into the rusty bolts and grease them for a couple of minutes before trying to detach them.
Step 6
Remove these bolts in order of the rear end first, the front later.
To loosen and remove all these bolts gently, you need a right-sized wrench.
When all of these bolts are still attached and loosened, remove the back bolts (that are nearest to the opening end of this exhaust system) before detaching the front bolts (those further away).
Step 7
For built-in welded converters, cut it out completely.
If the catalytic converter is soldered to the remainder of the exhaust emission system (instead of bolted in), the only way to eliminate it is to cut these bolts out of the tubes it’s linked with.
Many experienced mechanics will choose a Sawzall to carry out this step. Cut near (or along) the existing joint lines and detach the catalytic converter properly afterward.
If you finish all of the steps correctly and the component will not still seem to move, you might consider using a hammer to remove it from its rightful spot.
As long as you do not rattle or make a hash of other system elements. Otherwise, this might result in hazardous fumes leaking out the road.
Bottom Lines
From now on, you should be more sensitive to your car’s converter and engine light, for example intermittent flashing Check Engine light, to prevent many negative impacts on your property in particular, as well as our environment in general.
It would be better if you equip a set of catalytic converter removal tools and leave it on your car, which would help you fix some trouble as soon as possible.
Sharing is caring, don’t forget to share this content of tools needed to remove catalytic converters with those who have the same interest as you.
Well, now is the time to say thank you for your reading, and see you soon in the useful coming blogs.