Catalyst Efficiency
There’s one very important thing about today’s cars that differs from what was on the street back in the 60’s and
early 70’s, and that’s exhaust pipe emission controls. First
there were air pumps and EGR valves, then Volvo came out
with the first model with O2 sensors, now we have catalytic
converters, diesel particulate filters and an ever changing
exhaust monitoring system.
These systems allow for a very precise evaluation of what
comes out of the tail pipe. In some states the catalyst
monitor has to have run before the vehicle will pass
inspection. So knowing how these systems work and how to
diagnose and comprehend the information is vital in getting
your customers car back on the road.
The catalyst efficiency monitor verifies the catalytic converter is operating at a high enough efficiency rating to keep exhaust emissions within the predetermined values. The PCM compares the signals from the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors to determine the state of the converter. These “tests” are called the readiness monitors.
Continuous and non-continuous Readiness tests
There are two basic types of readiness monitors. Those are the continuous and the non-continuous monitors. Continuous monitors are tested constantly and evaluated while the engine is running. The non-continuous monitors need to have certain conditions met before a test can be completed. A monitor can be best described as a section or segment of an operation that the vehicle normally performs or one that needs to be done to verify a certain aspect or condition of the vehicle.
Some operations can be either continuous or non-continuous or both and can be checked during both types of monitors. Such as a misfire or fuel system issues. Non-continuous monitors will differ from gas and diesel engines as well.
Newer vehicles can report their emission monitor status during their current driving cycle. These monitors start from the beginning every time when the monitoring cycle meets the criteria to actually run a readiness test. Older cars might not support this feature. Because the monitors are basically a self-check routine that the driver does not have to initiate, the best way to get them ready to perform their self test is to drive the vehicle. Although, driving alone won’t meet all the needed conditions. There are a few requirements that vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Make sure that the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) is not commanded on. If there are any efficiency or related codes stored or even a pending diagnostic trouble code they can prevent a monitor from ever running or completing.
Be sure that you have enough fuel in the car. Some monitors, for instance the EVAP monitor, may require the fuel level to be between 35% and 85% to initiate the diagnostic testing (depending on the manufacturer’s requirements).
Lastly, you have to complete a “drive cycle”. The drive cycle is to let the car run its on-board diagnostics. This, in turn, allows the readiness monitors to go through their preset diagnostic routine. For the exact requirements of the vehicle you’re working on check the manufacturer’s specifications for a drive cycle. However, this generic drive cycle usually works on most vehicles.
Generic drive cycle
Pre-plan a route that will allow you to bring the vehicle up to highway speeds and allow you to slow the vehicle down on a long coast. Be sure to have at least 51% in the fuel tank and the outside ambient temperature is not below freezing or above 110 degrees.
The drive cycle begins from a cold start. Meaning the coolant and air temperatures are within 10 degrees of each another. (This condition can be achieved by letting the car to sit overnight). The ignition key must be in the OFF position before the cold start. Otherwise the heated oxygen sensor diagnostic may not run. Start the engine and leave it idle for about 2 to 5 minutes, with the A/C and rear defroster on (if equipped).
Turn the A/C and rear defroster off, and bring the vehicle speed up to at least 55 mph under moderate and constant acceleration. Hold the speed steady for a minimum of three minutes. Gradually slow the vehicle (without braking) down to about 25 mph. (Do not depress the clutch if you are running with manual transmission). Speed back up to highway speeds (better than 55 mph) using no more than about 3/4 throttle. Hold that speed steady for five minutes.
Slow down to a gradual stop without braking until the vehicle is below 25 mph. At this point the internal monitor tests should run.
Keep in mind, the non-continuous monitors may not catch a problem until the vehicle has been driven several times and conditions are right to detect the fault. Consequently, any time you’re troubleshooting a catalyst efficiency problem, it’s very important to use a scan tool that can tell you if all the monitor readiness have run or not. If one or more monitors are not ready, the vehicle will have to be driven under the correct conditions to make the monitor set. Then, and only then, will you get an accurate diagnosis.
What is Efficiency?
The converter has an efficiency rating that is computed by the vehicle’s manufacturer. The efficiency of the converter is tied to the fuel trim of the engine. The fuel trim is monitored by the O2 sensors and is constantly adjusted by the PCM. This helps to keep the converter at the correct temperature for the most efficient operation. One of the things the converter does is to store a certain amount of oxygen in it. If an engine is running too rich, it cannot store oxygen. If it is running too lean, the oxygen levels may prevent the converter to reach its optimum heat range.
Note: A rich condition means less oxygen, a lean condition means excessive oxygen. A rich condition would mean the PCM wants to lean out the fuel mixture, while a lean condition would mean the PCM wants to try and increase the fuel mixture. 14.7 to 1 (by weight) is the stoichiometric value of the fuel to air mixture. In order for the converter to operate correctly the stoichiometric value needs to be reached so that the catalyst can react with the oxygen and reach the proper operating temperature (The catalytic converter begins to function at 400 to 600 degrees F. The normal operating temperature can range up to 1,200 to 1,600 degrees).
Converter efficiency can be checked with a scan tool as well as watching the O2’s switching between rich and lean. Lab scopes can also be used to monitor the switching. Once the efficiency drops below a specified level and other criteria are met, an efficiency code will be set.
Most converters start out at about 99 percent efficiency when new, and quickly taper off to about 95 percent. As long as the efficiency doesn’t drop off more than a few more percentage points, the converter will do a great job of cleaning up the exhaust. But if efficiency drops much below say 92 percent, it will usually turn on the MIL lamp. Newer vehicles have to meet an even tougher LEV (Low Emission Vehicle) requirement. Now, there’s even less room for leeway. A drop in converter efficiency of only three percent can cause emissions to exceed federal limits. The LEV standard allows only 0.225 grams per mile of hydrocarbons.
Some OEMs have updated calibrations for the catalyst monitors. The new calibration can then be re-flashed into the PCM. But, if the vehicle already has a damaged converter, the re-flash will do nothing at all for it. But, if the converter is near the threshold limit, the re-flash may extend the life of the converter and prevent the light from coming on for another 10,000 or even up to 80,000 miles.
Causes of converter efficiency loss
Typically an engine miss is the first thing you think of that is sending unburnt fuel into the converter and causing the efficiency to drop, which is true. If left unchecked and unrepaired for quite some time the converter will likely be damaged and it will have to be replaced. But, a vacuum leak can do just as much damage. Oil consumption is another problem. Either from engine wear or in the case of a variable valve system or a cylinder deactivation system a stuck oil ring can be the culprit. Also, the vacuum generated in the cylinders when a cylinder is in the “off run” cycle of the deactivation for example, can suck engine oil past the rings and into the combustion chamber, then into the catalytic converter.
Coolant leaks can block and or prevent the precious metals in the catalytic converter from storing the needed oxygen and reducing the efficiency of the converter. Technically, it’s not the water in the coolant that does the harm but the silicates, phosphates and added chemicals in the coolant that are there to prevent corrosion that ruin the converter.
Faulty O2 sensors can lead to converter efficiency failure too. One of the things a lot of mechanics neglect to check is probably the easiest thing to check and that’s the O2 sensor connections. The connector not only is the supply for the voltage and grounds but the connector is also the source of the needed air supply to the zirconium sensor. If the connector is full of oil or debris no air can pass down the wire leads to the sensor internally. (The old one wire O2 sensors had a perforated area on the outside and didn’t use the wire leads as the oxygen supply). Years ago I had a car that came in with silicone sealant completely engulfing the connectors. A code was present, but the damage was already done. All four O2’s had to be replaced. The converter efficiency was in question but after running the monitors several times the code never came back.
Obviously, tune-up related items have to be considered into the efficiency of the converter. PCV valve condition, broken exhaust hangers that allow the exhaust to bang around that could damage the converter’s inner structure can be a problem, to EGR valve and related EGR problems can also effect the efficiency. Exhaust leaks ahead of the O2 sensors can greatly affect the efficiency too. Installing the wrong O2 sensors in the wrong position can also be a problem. Just for the record B1 sensors are on the no#1 cylinder side of the engine while B2 sensors are on the opposite side. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen the rear O2 in the front or a vehicle with a B1 sensor code and somebody changed the B2 sensor. Keep in mind a lot of vehicles now have multiple catalytic converters and more care has to be taken to ensure you're changing the correct one.
As you can see, the efficiency of today’s cars is not based on one part but on the overall condition of all the components involved. Preventive maintenance can help lengthen the life of a catalytic converter as well as paying attention to the service light when a code for converter efficiency pops up. Keep in mind the efficiency of the converter is determined by what is going on in the combustion chamber and what the PCM is being told by the O2 sensors. For the most part an efficiency code is the result of something that has already occurred and not necessarily a catalytic converter failure. Diagnose and repair the cause not just the results.
