Catalytic Converters & Parts for Honda Odyssey

Catalytic Converters for Honda Odyssey

Keeping a vehicle in compliance with pollution regulations in many states can mean making sure it has a catalytic converter thats in good condition. When the converter isn’t functioning as well as it needs to be, its time to replace it. You can find the converter that’s right for your Honda Odyssey minivan and learn more about it here.

A catalytic converter is a device located between a vehicles engine exhaust port and the muffler that looks like a box. Exhaust flows through the converter on its way to a cars tailpipe. Inside the converter is a catalyst that reacts chemically with pollutants, changing them into less harmful substances. In this way, the harmful emissions from gasoline- and diesel-burning engines are reduced.

There are a couple reasons for a converter, such as the one in your Honda Odyssey minivan, to stop performing up to specifications:

• Clogging: Converters can become clogged with particulate matter like soot and corrosion in time that reduces the flow of exhaust through it.
• Contamination: Some fuel additives can hasten the demise of a converter by introducing other substances to the cars exhaust that harm its catalysts.
• Unburned fuel: If the engine isnt firing on all cylinders or misfiring excessively, unburned fuel passes through the exhaust pipe. Converters are designed with the assumption only small amounts of fuel will escape the engine. Large amounts of unburned fuel will ruin them quickly.

Sometimes the symptoms of a clogged or ineffective converter can be quite dramatic while, at other times, youll only find out when a smog test is done on your Honda Odyssey minivan. Here are some of the things that can happen:

• Stalling: A completely clogged converter than lets little or no exhaust through will cause your vehicles motor to stall because the buildup of back pressure stops the fuel-air mixture from flowing into the motor.
• Vehicle isnt able to accelerate: If the converter is not completely clogged but the flow of exhaust is significantly restricted, then youll notice the motor has difficulty running at higher speeds. Again, the back pressure increases to the point that the motors fuel-air mixture isnt able to flow any faster.
• Smog test fails: When the converter isnt able to reduce the pollutants in your cars exhaust, youll find out if a smog test is performed on your vehicle. As a result, your vehicle will fail the test.