One for the motorheads. Exactly how does lead ruin a cat converter?
AND,, Is it possible to reverse the damage?
AND,, Is it possible to reverse the damage?
onlyoldiron4me
Favorite Answer
they just get plugged up, excess gas does the same thing, you usually cant fix them
Anonymous
The converter is filled with thin plates of specialized (and expensive) alloys that remove the particulates and hydrocarbons from the exhaust with intense heat. The lead molecule ruins the plates because it doesn't 'burn' and stops up the converter.
They cannot be repaired, only replaced.
Not to worry -- unless someone poured some aviation fuel in your car you won't have lead.
Anonymous
cat converters contain a catalyst which is used to reduce the toxicity of emissions from the engine.
the lead coats the Catalyst so it does not work,
Depending on the contaminant, catalyst poisoning can sometimes be reversed by running the engine under a very heavy load for an extended period of time. The increased exhaust temperature can sometimes liquefy or sublimate the contaminant, removing it from the catalytic surface. However, removal of lead deposits in this manner is usually not possible due to leads high boiling point.
Irv S
The catalyst is platium. At operating temperatures the deposited lead will alloy,
(amalgamate with), with the platinum and destroy it's 'catalytic' capability.
It might be possible to drive off the lead by raising the temperture high enough to
drive it off, in a stream of inert or moderately oxidizing gas, but I don't believe it's
a practical process.
The platinum is usually recovered and re-refined.
bandit_60
in some of the cats you have pellets and some has stuff that looks like honeycone and using leaded gas can ruin catalyst inside and plug it up.the only way to fix it is get a new cat.