How To Bypass Catalytic Converter Check Engine Light?

You’re driving down the road, and suddenly, your “check engine” light comes on. This implies something is wrong with your car’s emission control system. But what if you don’t have a mechanic near you, and even if you do, you can’t afford it? Don’t worry – we have a solution for you.

You can bypass the catalytic converter with the help of a straight pipe. Without the catalytic converter, your automobile will perform well without filtering the emissions from your engine. But you must be careful as removing the catalytic converter is highly restricted in the U.S., and you get hefty fines.

This article will provide all the information you need to know about bypassing the catalytic converter. It will also discuss the pros and cons of removing a catalytic converter. So, let’s get started!

Why Is Catalytic Converter Important?

Catalytic converters (Cat-Con) convert toxic exhaust gasses from an engine into harmless compounds, helping to reduce air pollution and keeping your car running safely. 

The catalytic converter is a series of pipes that contain metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These metals act as catalysts, making the exhaust system’s chemical reaction more efficient.

The primary function of a catalytic converter is to reduce harmful emissions from engines, such as hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). In addition, it also helps improve fuel efficiency by converting some of the energy contained in the exhaust gas into heat energy. This heat energy helps reduce the engine’s temperature.

Types of Catalytic Converters

There are three main types of catalytic converters available in the market. They work to reduce automobile emissions before releasing the gasses into the air. Let’s have a look at them:

Oxidation Catalyst

It is the first type of catalytic converter; the hazardous pollutants, HC (fuel hydrocarbons) and CO (carbon monoxide), inside the exhaust are reduced by this sort of catalyst. In addition, it typically makes use of subpar air injection. However, this catalyst only reduces a small portion of the contaminants.

Dual-bed Catalyst

The second type of catalytic converter is the dual-bed catalyst. It works more accurately than compared to an oxidation catalyst. It uses a two-stage system to convert harmful pollutants into less hazardous substances. 

In the first stage, it reduces the amount of NiO2 emissions. In the next phase reacts by producing hydrocarbons from fuel and unburned carbon monoxide. This type of catalytic converter effectively reduces both hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions, making it a popular choice for vehicles that need to meet demanding emission standards.

Three-Way Catalytic Converter

The three-way catalytic converter is the most advanced catalytic converter on the market today. It uses oxidation, reduction, and storage technologies to reduce all three major pollutants—hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides—from vehicle exhaust. 

In addition to being extremely efficient, three-way catalytic converters are durable and long lasting, making them a popular choice for vehicles that must meet rigid emission standards.

Does Removing Catalytic Converter Affect the Engine? 

Removing a catalytic converter can significantly affect engine performance, as the device primarily reduces emissions. The main impact of removing a catalytic converter is that exhaust gasses will flow more freely out of the system, which means that the engine does not need to work as hard and can develop more power. 

Without the presence of the converter, it can cause the vehicle to emit more pollutants into the air leading to environmental concerns. Additionally, a lack of conversion may release higher hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. 

It can benefit those who wish to upgrade their cars for racing purposes, but it can also increase fuel consumption and higher emissions of harmful pollutants. It may also create problems with an engine’s computerized control systems, resulting in poor overall performance. All possible factors should be assessed before making changes to ensure the best outcome.

Can You Bypass A Catalytic Converter?

Bypassing a catalytic converter is possible but should not be attempted carelessly. Avoiding a catalytic converter involves replacing or removing the device and creating an alternate exhaust system. If you bypass the catalytic converter from your automobile, you are creating an alternate exhaust system.

It may involve modifications to the exhaust pipe, such as having straight pipes instead of mufflers. It may also require additional parts like high-flow manifolds, headers, and custom exhaust systems. 

Reasons

There are several reasons why someone might decide to bypass their catalytic converter: 

• Performance gains (as removal reduces back pressure)
• Emissions testing (in case of failure)
• Wanting a louder sound from their car’s engine
• To Increase horsepower 

However, while these gains can be temporarily seen in performance, the bypass will lead to further engine deterioration over time as it does not filter out harmful pollutants. It’s also important to consider the long-term effects of bypassing your catalytic converter before taking such action.

Pros and Cons of Removing Catalytic Converter 

Bypassing the catalytic converter comes with both pros and cons. Let’s have a detailed look at both of them separately:

Pros 

There are several pros associated with removing a catalytic converter from your vehicle. Some of them include the following:

Higher Horsepower

One of the biggest pros of removing a catalytic converter is increased horsepower. By eliminating the catalytic converter, exhaust gasses can flow more freely and reduce back pressure, increasing engine power significantly. This increased power can be handy for vehicles requiring more power, such as off-road vehicles or large engines.

Increased Fuel Efficiency

By eliminating the restriction caused by the converters, less fuel is used up during acceleration as there can be greater efficiency in power output due to increased airflow. This improved efficiency can lead to better fuel economy over time.

Lower Operating Temperature Of The Engine

Removing your catalytic converter may also reduce engine operating temperature. It also reduces heat buildup and decreases engine friction. It can help your vehicle run cooler, leading to a longer lifespan for your engine’s components.

Better Exhaust Noise

Removing the catalytic converter increases engine sound dramatically as the device no longer causes a muffler effect. Additionally, this tone change can make your vehicle sound more potent than it is – potentially making you feel proud of your ride! But it can be troublesome for other drivers.

Cons 

Removing the catalytic converter can have various negative consequences that affect the environment and vehicle performance:

Atmospheric Pollution

Catalytic converters are designed to reduce vehicle emissions by up to 90% by neutralizing harmful gasses and converting them into less hazardous substances before they reach the atmosphere. 

When these devices are removed, more unprocessed pollutants can escape into the air, increasing smog levels and other airborne contaminants. It affects local air quality and global climate change on a larger scale. 

Louder Noise Is Produced

Another consequence of removing the catalytic converter is increased noise levels due to exhaust gasses escaping unrestricted through the tailpipe. When your car’s windows are closed, you can hear an emission noise of up to 110 decibels.

It harms your ears because it is louder than the safe listening threshold of 85 decibels. Even if the noise doesn’t bother you, it will be loud enough to overhear discussions. It can make driving unpleasant for those around you and may even draw the attention of law enforcement in some places.

See Also: Which Cars Are Least Likely To Have Catalytic Converter Stolen

Prohibited In U.S.

Removing a catalytic converter is illegal across the United States due to its potentially harmful effects on air quality and public health. Depending on the region, offenders may face fines or jail time for violating these laws. For example, there are no emissions tests in Florida and South Dakota. States with stricter regulations, like California, can punish you with up to $10,000 for driving without a cat.

A Fault Code Is Triggered

In addition, removing a catalytic converter from a car can also trigger a fault code in the vehicle’s onboard computer. It will cause an error on the dashboard and may require costly repairs or replacement parts. 

Increased Fuel Consumption For Some Automobiles

Some vehicles may also experience increased fuel consumption due to having their catalytic converter removed. The device helps control the amount of oxygen entering the engine’s combustion chamber, affecting how efficiently fuel is burned. 

How To Bypass the Catalytic Converter Check Engine Light?

You can take out the catalytic converter and use a straight pipe to bypass it. The engine may run more smoothly without a converter since it does not have to exert as much effort to pump out exhaust gasses. 

Required Materials

To successfully remove the catalytic converter and check the engine light, you need the following:

• Hydraulic jack
• Bypass-pipe or test pipe
• Penetrating fluid
• Adjustable wrench
• Four Jack stands

Step-By-Step Instructions

• Park on a flat surface and put the parking brakes.
• With the help of a hydraulic jack, lift the car onto the jack stands so the exhaust system can cool.
• Go under the car and spray penetrating fluid over the catalytic converter mounting bolts. Give the penetrating fluid around 15 minutes to work.
• Disconnect the catalytic converter’s oxygen sensor wire harness with the help of an adjustable wrench.
• Use the adjustable wrench to remove the mounting nuts keeping the catalytic converter in place. You should set down the catalytic converter.
• Connect the bypass pipe to the exhaust system near the catalytic converter. The pipe should be adjusted such that the bolt holes on the bypass pipe’s flanges line up with those on the original exhaust pipe.
• Tighten the mounting bolts for the catalytic converter into the slots in the flanges with the adjustable wrench.
• Put the oxygen sensor back into the bypass pipe fitting and tighten it up. To re-connect the sensor to the vehicle’s computer, plug the wiring harness into the sensor.
• Use a hydraulic jack to lift the automobile, then take the jack stands off and put your car back to the ground.

Check Out How to Keep Your Check Engine Light Off When Removing the Catalytic Converter:

FAQs

Final Considerations

Bypassing the catalytic converter check engine light coming on can seem daunting, but it’s pretty simple with the correct information and tools. Following the above steps, you can remove the catalytic converter from your vehicle. If it is not done correctly, it can lead to costly repair charges.

If you are unsure that you can do it by yourself, it’s best to consult a professional since they will be able to tell for sure whether or not these will resolve your issue and alert you if some other repair might be necessary.