Semi Truck Catalytic Converter Location – All You Need To Know

Due to the negative effect of carbon emission from semi trucks or rental trucks on the surrounding environment, the need for the tool to reduce the environmental impact is increasing significantly.

Therefore, the catalytic converter is a top choice for semi – truck and diesel truck owners thanks to its efficiency when dealing with vehicle emissions. The number of people putting their trust in it is increasing significantly.

However, there are still some people who have no idea about Semi Truck Catalytic Converter location.

For that reason, we are here to help you figure it out. Let’s go through this article and take away some useful information.

What Is Catalytic Converter And Its Benefits?

Catalytic Converter

Exhaust systems of vehicles and machines are usually equipped with catalytic converters, which are mechanical gadgets. Semi catalytic converters look like mufflers in terms of size and design.

This component usually has the shape of a rectangular or circular cylinder, with one end receiving emissions and exhausts while the other releasing them. You usually find a catalytic converter at the end of the exhaust pipes of most cars.

Catalytic converters or cat-cons have many plates in them shaped like honeycombs to allow the exhausts to travel through easily.

The main ingredients of each plate are ceramic and a few grams of rare metals: palladium, platinum, and rhodium.

Catalytic converter
Catalytic converter

Benefits

  • Reduce the significant amount of pollutants such as hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide emitted from automobiles.
  • An indispensable part of most gas-powered and diesel vehicles.
  • Decrease the amount of gasoline needed.
  • Without it, automobiles will be extremely noisy while running.
  • Your vehicles will be more responsive and faster thanks to the catalytic converter.
  • Increase engine performance

Where Is The Semi Truck Catalytic Converters Location?

When it comes to catalytic converter semi – trucks, the first question pop-up in most people’s minds is, “where is the Cadillac converter located on a semi truck?

Depending on how the exhaust system is set up, we can know the exact location of the catalytic converters. There are two common types of exhaust systems: Vertical system and horizontal system.

For the vertical system, the exhaust pipes are placed on both sides of the cab, and that is also the location of the semi catalytic converter.

In contrast, the position of the catalytic converter in the horizontal system is beneath the vehicle, which is close to the end.

This information can be applied to answer the heavy equipment semi truck catalytic converter location and 18 wheeler catalytic converter location.

Truck exhaust catalyst close up
Truck exhaust catalyst close up

What Are The Types of Semi Truck Catalytic Converters?

Oxidation Catalyst

The first type is oxidation catalyst. It decreases dangerous particles in the harmful emissions such as Carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO).

At the same time, it often employs a supplementary air pump. Nonetheless, this oxidation catalyst only removes a part of the contaminants.

Two-way

The second type is the two-way catalytic converter. It has two phases of operation which one follows another in a symmetrical pattern. Nitrogen oxide emitted from automobiles is reduced from the first phase.

Meanwhile, hydrocarbons, a byproduct of unburned fuel, and carbon monoxide will be processed in the second phase. Additionally, this cat-con also has a supplementary air pump.

Three-way

And the last type of semi catalytic converter in the list is a three-way catalyst. This catalyst aids in converting dangerous gases and harmful gases emitted from engines to environmentally harmless gases.

Hydraulic fluid and carbon monoxide are examples of these pollutants. These toxic wastes which are produced by unburned fuel will be converted into water, less toxic carbon dioxide, and N2.

Closeup catalytic converter
Closeup catalytic converter

How Does A Semi Truck Catalytic Converter Work?

Although there are three different types of semi catalytic converters available on the market, they all have the same working procedure.

It employs a tank known as a catalyst to transform dangerous substances which are generated from both burned and unburned fuel from engine exhaust into harmless gasses such as steam.

This component works by breaking up the dangerous chemicals in the gasses generated by an automobile before they are discharged into the atmosphere.

First, these gasses get into the catalyst via an “input” pipeline. During the time these are inside, the pollutants are broken into eco-friendly substances.

Then they follow the second pipe or “output” pipeline, which is attached to a truck exhaust, and get into the air.

How To Protect Semi Truck Catalytic Converter From Thieves?

Semi truck catalytic converter value comes from the rare and precious metal inside, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. The theft can get up to $200 from selling these precious metals to scrap traders.

Furthermore, they can easily take away your cat-con in a blink of an eye with the help of a wrench or a saw.

For that reason, if you don’t find a way to protect your catalyst, you will have to spend a fortune on it.

Cctv camera in car park building
Cctv camera in car park building

The Symptoms When You Car Lacks A Catalytic Converter

  • Your gas or diesel vehicle roars when starting, and the sound will get louder when you drive for an amount of time.
  • Your automobile no longer provides a smooth drive, and it will produce a hissing sound when you accelerate.
  •  If you discover a big hole in the center of your truck exhaust pipes when you peek beneath. A theft must remove your cat-con.

What To Do To Secure Your Catalytic Converter?

  • When feasible, always find a parking lot near building entrances with CCTV and lights.
  • Let a professional welder weld cat-con to the frame of your modern vehicle, making it more difficult to steal.
  • Always close your garage doors when your automobile is parked inside. Remember to lock the door so that no theft can easily sneak into.
  •  Set the alarm on your automobile to blare if it senses any unusual movement.
  • To help a scrap metal buyer track down the owner of a taken cat-con, carve your VIN on it.

Conclusion

And that’s what we want to share with you about the Semi Truck Catalytic Converter Location, the way it works, and how to protect the catalyst from the hands of thieves.

The location of the Catalytic Converter on the Semi or diesel truck depends heavily on the exhaust system. Although there are three types of cat-con, they have the same working procedure.

Last but not least, your converter is a favorite prey for thieves. Therefore, you should try different ways to secure your property.

Thank you for your reading, and we hope you find this article useful.

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