TO: All ATP Technicians
FROM: James Strong, Customer/Technical Service Mgr.
RE: Misleading Diagnosis of Catalytic Converters
In a September of 2008 technical bulletin regarding the replacement of catalytic converters, it was mentioned that a check engine light would reappear after the new converter was installed.
Once again to address this issue, the vehicle that has to be serviced must be fully diagnosed for proper engine performance. This may include inspections of all O2 sensors, emission controls, fuel injectors, sensors and yes the catalytic converter itself.
Most if not all catalytic converters are manufactured to reduce and/or to eliminate harmful pollutants that are formed due to the inefficiencies in the fuel combustion process. These pollutants are known as Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx).
The precious metals inside the catalytic converter’s substrate, also known as the "brick" are the main and most important component of the converter to combat the poisons of these emissions. Historically, Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium have been the key active metals used in the catalytic converter's substrate.
These precious metals have their own unique ability to facilitate the reactions of these harmful pollutants. Manufacturers of catalytic converters have their own variances of combination of metals within their converter units. Rhodium, currently the most expensive of the three metals has the highest and best resistance activity for removal of the poison gases. Its only downfall would be its high cost.
ATP-Inc catalytic converters are manufactured with a heavier duty washcoat containing all of these precious metals which are designed to keep the "check engine light" off on vehicles that are difficult in solving problems of emissions.
This washcoat has twice the amount of Rhodium to handle applications with ultra low emissions, higher than normal emissions as well as applications with higher mileage, heavier workloads and emissions that are out of normal range.
Remember, the vehicle that you are servicing because of a check engine light has re-appeared after you have replaced the new catalytic converter, must be fully diagnosed before blaming the converter.
Please visit us at www.atp-inc.com for up to date technical bulletins and new product information.