How to Remove a Catalytic Converter for Scrap? Technical Guide

Sometimes while scrapping a vehicle, you might want to remove the Catalytic Converter from it. Remember that taking your car to scrap separately allows you to create a few extra dollars as it contains unique and rare kinds of metals. You will get the details idea here regarding how to remove a catalytic converter for scrap.

Functions of Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter is prepared of palladium, rhodium, and platinum. The catalytic converter's job is to transform all the harmful components of your car's engine into safe gases.

It forms a chemical reaction in the exhaust, which helps in reducing and shifting toxic emissions to less dangerous substances. It reduces nitrogen oxides to oxygen and nitrogen, oxidizes unburnt hydrocarbons to water and carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.

The good catalytic converter helps split up all the harmful and toxic waste in the gases produced by the vehicle before such steam is released into the air. It locates on the underside of a car.

The shape of the catalytic converter scrap is just like a big metal box. You can notice two pipes coming out of this metal box. The catalytic converter uses these two pipes and the catalyst for the duration of making the toxic gases safe to be released into the air.

How to Remove a Catalytic Converter for Scrap

Exhaust systems clean exhaust gases of unsafe chemicals, polluting the air. However, they also confine the free progression of fumes and suck power from a vehicle.

Remember that running a vehicle on the streets that lack a catalytic converter is illegitimate. People remove bad catalytic converters due to several reasons. Here in this section, you will learn about some of the fastest ways to cut a catalytic converter with ease.

Simply Gut Your Converter (Inexpensive Approach)

One of the easiest, cheapest, and simplest methods of removing a catalytic converter is to gut your converter. Place your car on some higher spot or lift it so that you can quickly move under it and unbolt the converter yourself.

Do not forget to off the vehicle for several hours before doing this. This will reduce the heat of the exhaust pipe and make things simpler for you.

The metal will also come to its normal state, allowing you to remove it easily. Once you remove the converter successfully, you will see a honeycomb.

Removing this part is a trickier and challenging job to perform. Try to be slow in this process to manage things well and remove them properly; otherwise, you will break it. To do it effectively, you need to weaken the honeycomb structure. You can use the right tool to make this done.

Once you remove the catalyst properly, simply replace the clear converter shell, and you are done. You are free to drive your vehicle afterwards.

However, there are a few things that you must know. Keep in mind that without the catalyst makes your vehicle illegitimate for street use which can cause you a lot of trouble.

It can also cause trouble with velocity variation and pressure changes, which negatively impact your vehicle’s performance.

Make Use of Test Pipe (A little pricey Approach)

If money is not a problem for you, you can purchase a test pipe to remove the catalytic converter. The length of the test pipe is almost equal to that of a catalytic converter.

The process, how to remove converter is the same here. All you need to do is unlock your vehicle's converter and install your test pipe. You do not need to deal with any mess.

One of the best things about using this approach is keeping your converter completely intact. It does not cause any fluctuating velocity or pressure in your exhaust gases. This approach makes things a lot easier and simpler.

Why are Catalytic Converters Expensive?

A catalytic converter or exhaust system plays a significant part in your vehicle's emissions and exhaust system.

Without a catalytic converter, your vehicle would create undeniably more smog and carbon monoxide.

It's a significant piece of your vehicle, both for moral reasons and the parts that make up the converter. Here in this section, you will learn about some of the reasons that make the catalytic converter expensive.

Platinum Material

An important part that is involved in the making of a catalytic converter is platinum material. The price of a catalytic converter is high because it contains a variety of precious metals, i.e., platinum, to transform the emissions from your vehicle.

The platinum material present in the catalytic converter acts as catalysts in the chemical reaction that takes place in your vehicle. It provides a spark to a chemical reaction. The lack of this feature will make you refill your car with precious metals from time to time, and it will get even more expensive.

This amazing material helps in converting carbon monoxide to water and carbon dioxide. Platinum is dense and heavier in size.

Keep in mind that the value of metal depends upon its weight. As platinum materiel is heavier as compared to other metals, which means it has a higher value.

Rhodium Material

It is another valuable metal present in the catalytic converter. This metal oxidizes nitrogen to make it oxygen and nitrogen.

NOX is one of the most significant parts of an emissions test. The manufacturers work hard to produce more efficient catalytic converters that satisfy the NOX standards.

The presence of rhodium material helps in reducing the amount of smog produced by the vehicle. This precious metal is rare and also very expensive. The presence of this material in the catalytic converter atomically increases its price.

The manufacturers who want to increase the price of their vehicles must invest in it catalytic converters. There has been around seventy percent in rhodium value in the past year. The presence of this material in a catalytic converter automatically raises its value to a great extent.

Palladium Material

Another significant part of the catalytic converter is palladium. The fantastic material mixes with platinum, which changes carbon monoxide into water and carbon dioxide.

Palladium material is rich in value from both platinum and gold. Its current price is around $2,000 per ounce or more. The presence of this material in a catalytic converter automatically increases its price, and makes it expensive.

To improve the quality of the catalytic converters, it is essential to utilize a higher amount of palladium. This will lead to more demand for Palladium. But the supply of this material is low, making it more pricy and harder to obtain.

FAQ’s

1.) What is the best tool to remove a catalytic converter?

The catalytic converter removal tool includes a wrench and a reciprocating saw.

2.) What cars have the most expensive catalytic converters for scrap?

According to the information received in 2020, Ferrari F430 contains the most expensive catalytic converter for scrap.

3.) Can I get money for my old catalytic converter?

Catalytic converters contain precious metals that can be easily recycled and used later. The old catalytic converter is equally worthy as a new one. You may face overheated catalytic converter during driving the vehicle.

4.) Where do stolen catalytic converters go?

Thieves sell the converters to different auto parts supply shops and receive money. It is then melted down to extract rhodium and palladium from it quickly.

Conclusion

Removing catalytic converter is not a difficult job to perform. With the proper guidelines and tools, one can easily remove it without any difficulty. There are many reasons behind removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle; however, keep in mind that the removal of this property can cause serious issues.

This article contains a complete guide about the catalytic converter, why it is pricy, and how to remove a catalytic converter for scrap. Check out the article above for a detailed understanding.