How catalytic converter

Catalytic converters are often the target of thieves because the part contains valuable precious metals. Regardless of the type of vehicle you have, there are some steps you can take to help prevent theft:. The number of catalytic converters reported as stolen has increased in , partly due to the rising prices of different precious metals. The converter typically contains platinum, palladium and rhodium that can be sold to metal dealers. Typically, there are 3 to 7 grams of platinum in a standard catalytic converter.

A standard converter also contains 2 to 7 grams of palladium and 1 to 2 grams of rhodium. So what happens when a catalytic converter goes bad? You can train to become an automotive technician in as little as 51 weeks in the Automotive Technology program at Universal Technical Institute. Learn more by requesting more information here on our site or by calling Take steps toward your future today!

Thinking about becoming an auto tech? Learn about how long it takes to become an automotive technician, salary, job outlook and more. Is there a difference between a mechanic and an automotive technician? We try to settle the debate. Interested in working on cars for a living? Click here to find information on annual median salaries for automotive mechanics and technicians.

This rate excludes graduates not available for employment because of continuing education, military service, health, incarceration, death or international student status. The rate includes graduates who completed manufacturer-specific advanced training programs and those employed in positions that were obtained before or during their UTI education, where the primary job duties after graduation align with the educational and training objectives of the program.

UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on personal credentials and economic factors. Work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer and their compensation programs affect wages. Awards vary due to specific conditions, criteria and state. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections , www. Job openings include openings due to growth and net replacements. Special conditions may apply.

Talk to potential employers to learn more about the programs available in your area. Programs available at select locations. Department of Veterans Affairs VA. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U. Entry-level salaries may be lower. UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as automotive technicians.

Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as service writer, smog inspector and parts manager. North Carolina salary information: The U. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, viewed June 2, UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as welding technicians. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as certified inspector and quality control. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, viewed June 2, UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as collision repair technicians.

Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as appraiser, estimator and inspector. Automotive Body and Related Repairers, viewed June 2, UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as diesel technicians. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a diesel truck technician, such as maintenance technician, locomotive technician and marine diesel technician.

MMI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. MMI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as motorcycle technicians. Some MMI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as service writer, equipment maintenance, and parts associate. Motorcycle Mechanics, viewed June 2, MMI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as marine technicians.

Some MMI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as equipment maintenance, inspector and parts associate. Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians, viewed June 2, For details, contact the program representative at the campus you are interested in attending. UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as CNC machining technicians.

Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as CNC operator, apprentice machinist, and machined parts inspector. For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www. See Table 1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www. Updated on November 18, Students are responsible for any other costs such as lab fees associated with the course. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 69, job openings between and Job openings include openings due to net employment changes and net replacements.

Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 49, job openings between and Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 28, job openings between and Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 15, job openings between and Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 16, job openings between and Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics will be , by Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers will be , by Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators will be , by Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the national average annual job openings in each of the following occupations between and will be: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, 69,; Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, 28,; and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, 49, Approved on November 18, Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment in each of the following occupations by will be: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, ,; Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, ,; Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, , Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc.

UTI Campus Alerts. Specialized Training Student-Paid vs. Manufacturer-Paid Programs Catalogs. Meet Our Graduates Find out what some of our graduates are doing today in pursuing their successful careers. Military Scholarships Learn more about how we assist our veterans from VA funding to exclusive scholarships.

Find out more in our resources. A new career path starts here. What kind of training are you interested in? First Name Required. Last Name Required. Zip Required. High School Graduation Year Required. When you start your car cold, the catalytic converter does almost nothing to reduce the pollution in your exhaust. One simple solution to this problem is to move the catalytic converter closer to the engine.

This means that hotter exhaust gases reach the converter and it heats up faster, but this may also reduce the life of the converter by exposing it to extremely high temperatures. Most carmakers position the converter under the front passenger seat, far enough from the engine to keep the temperature down to levels that will not harm it.

Preheating the catalytic converter is a good way to reduce emissions. The easiest way to preheat the converter is to use electric resistance heaters. Unfortunately, the volt electrical systems on most cars don't provide enough energy or power to heat the catalytic converter fast enough. Most people would not wait several minutes for the catalytic converter to heat up before starting their car.

Hybrid cars that have big, high-voltage battery packs can provide enough power to heat up the catalytic converter very quickly. Catalytic converters in diesel engines do not work as well in reducing NOx.

One reason is that diesel engines run cooler than standard engines, and the converters work better as they heat up.

Some of the leading environmental auto experts have come up with a new system that helps to combat this. They inject a urea solution in the exhaust pipe, before it gets to the converter, to evaporate and mix with the exhaust and create a chemical reaction that will reduce NOx.

Urea, also known as carbamide , is an organic compound made of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. It's found in the urine of mammals and amphibians. Urea reacts with NOx to produce nitrogen and water vapor, disposing more than 90 percent of the nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases [source: Innovations Report ].

A standard catalytic converter contains several hundred dollars worth of platinum, palladium and rhodium. The ground clearance on trucks and SUVs makes for easy access to the converters, so all a thief needs is a reciprocating saw and about 60 seconds.

This trend has police on the lookout in many parts of the country where this kind of theft has been a problem. Police caution SUV and truck drivers to park in busy, well-lit areas.

Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Under the Hood. How Catalytic Converters Work. A large pile of platinum lined catalytic converters. See more green living pictures. James L. Pollutants Produced by a Car Engine " ". Nitrogen gas N2 - Air is percent nitrogen gas, and most of this passes right through the car engine.

Carbon dioxide CO2 - This is one product of combustion. The carbon in the fuel bonds with the oxygen in the air. Water vapor H2O - This is another product of combustion.

The hydrogen in the fuel bonds with the oxygen in the air. Carbon monoxide CO is a poisonous gas that is colorless and odorless. Hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds VOCs are a major component of smog produced mostly from evaporated, unburned. Nitrogen oxides NO and NO2, together called NOx are a contributor to smog and acid rain , which also causes irritation to human mucus membranes. Are lawn mowers next? How Catalytic Converters Reduce Pollution " ".

Controlling Pollution and Improving Performance The third stage of conversion is a control system that monitors the exhaust stream, and uses this information to control the fuel injection system.

Catalytic Converter Theft. Do all cars have a catalytic converter? How much does it cost to fix the catalytic converter? What is in a catalytic converter that is so valuable? What cars are having their catalytic converters stolen? SUVs and trucks are becoming targets for opportunists looking to cash in on the valuable precious metals used inside catalytic converters.

How do I know if my catalytic converter has failed? Nitrogen in the air. CNET News.