One of its components of a modern vehicle is a neutralizer – a special device responsible for reducing the concentration of hazardous substances in emissions, thanks to which the car can claim to comply with the most stringent environmental standards. Reviews about it are very contradictory, some call it a necessity, others – an excess that needs to be removed as soon as possible. Who is right?
It is located in the exhaust tract, it is able to neutralize the following hazardous substances:
- Carbon dioxide, popularly known as “carbon monoxide”.
- Nitrogen oxide.
- Hydrocarbons.
Depending on the design features, the filter is able to cope with both individuals of the listed substances, and with all at once. The need for it is due to the need to comply with strict environmental requirements, relevant not only for European countries.
Proper handling of old filters can significantly reduce the cost of car maintenance. Here you can sell worn-out components and thus partially offset the cost of new ones. Design features
Design features
So, what this element is is quite clear, now it’s time to delve into the intricacies of its design, internal structure. At a quick inspection, the module can easily be confused with a muffler, it is a thickening on the exhaust tract. Inside, however, there are not pipes that help separate and muffle acoustic waves, but cartridges resembling honeycombs, based on ceramics or steel, capable of withstanding enormous thermal loads. Components with a pronounced ability to catalyze are applied to the base material, mainly, we are talking about noble rare earth metals, for example, platinum or rhodium.
The algorithm of how the component works is quite simple. The interaction of metals with emissions is associated with intense oxidative, reducing reactions, which greatly reduces the concentration of substances hazardous to the environment.
Original or analog?
Experienced drivers know that instead of such a filter, both new original spare parts and their analogs can be used during replacement. The first option is supported by the maximum degree of reliability, the ability to restore all basic operating modes of the internal combustion engine, its functionality, ensure effective gas cleaning, and reduce the negative impact on the environment. The main negative point is the high price, which sometimes amounts to about 5 percent of the cost of the car.
There are two alternatives to the original:
- Universal analogue. Such devices are much cheaper, instead of rare earth metals, they use more affordable ones, which somewhat reduces the cleaning efficiency. When selecting an analogue, you need to take into account the features of the geometry of the standard part, and be guided by its dimensions and volume.
- Flame arrester. This component is cheaper than the previous one, however, it does not clean gases, but only reduces their temperature to prevent the destruction of system components. The most effective are double-layer flame arresters, which additionally reduce the severity of vibrations, noise generated by the engine and air flows. Before cutting, you need to correctly calculate the volume of the new part, an error makes it ineffective, leading to the appearance of an unpleasant rattle.
Along with installing the flame arrester, you need to flash the engine control unit so that it does not react to the presence of toxic substances in the emissions.
How to remove?
The question of how to remove the part itself does not present any particular difficulties. The part is simply cut out of the general outline with a grinder and replaced with the parts listed above.
Much more attention is required to “cheat” the electronics. As already mentioned, you need to either re-flash the ECU or install a sensor-cheat that will send the necessary indicators to the head module.
Before removing, you need to consider two possible risk factors:
- Loss of warranty. Any intervention in the design of the vehicle implies the cancellation of the warranty agreement, all further maintenance becomes paid.
- Problems during maintenance. The ECU was deceived, but service station specialists can record that the car no longer meets environmental standards, so its registration will be impossible.
Considering what the component does, its role in the overall design, safety, and functionality of the vehicle seems to be of the utmost importance. If the part fails, it is most rational to install the original instead, even if this involves significant investment. Only such a solution will help to preserve the factory warranty, and eliminate possible troubles typical of installing a flame arrester or a low-quality analogue.
