Why are catalytic converters so expensive? Theft of catalytic converters has become so dramatic recently that many drivers wonder what was in the catalytic converter that attracted such thieves. Besides the important tasks of converting harmful emissions into other forms of waste with less impact on the environment, the catalytic converter is also one of the most valuable parts of your car, so why are catalytic converters so expensive? Let’s find out in our topic:
What is the purpose of a catalytic converter?
The catalytic converter is an effective emissions control device. This part is responsible for converting harmful gases and environmental pollutants in exhaust fumes into less toxic waste. Catalytic converters are often used on internal combustion engines using gasoline or diesel fuel.
When your vehicle is running, the engine’s fuel combustion process will emit harmful emissions such as CO2, H2O, and N2 (78%), these substances are almost harmless to the environment if the process is done correctly.
During operation, regardless of the engine’s quality, the combustion process can still create small amounts of other toxic compounds such as carbon oxides (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2), and hydrocarbons (HC).
The car converter’s task is to transform toxic substances into less toxic compounds (CO2) or eventually into substances that are not harmful to the environment like N2 and H2O before leaving the exhaust system.
Catalytic converters can convert about 90% of environmentally harmful emissions into less toxic compounds. Some high-end car manufacturers now add special filters, which can significantly increase the efficiency of car converters up to 99%, thus helping to better protect the environment.
There are several reasons why you might need to replace the converter:
- It can get clogged due to burned oil/coolant.
- Your catalytic converter could be damaged by going from a hot state to a cold state, which would crack the metals inside it.
- When someone steals it, which is much more common than you think.
Why are catalytic converters so expensive?
A crucial question is why people want to steal this part and why replacing them can cost $2,000. Well! Stay tuned and find out:
The catalytic converter is a metal box containing a ceramic or metal honeycomb filter element. This filter core will be coated with a layer of catalyst that creates a chemical reaction with toxic emissions. For the converter to do its job properly, it is made of expensive metals like gold, platinum, rhodium, and palladium, called “catalytics.” A catalyst is a substance that causes a chemical reaction to happen faster without being used up. To convert harmful emissions, the converter must consume a layer of precious metal to catalyze the reactions so they occur easily.
The point of the question
The point of the question “why is the catalytic converter so expensive” lies in these precious metals. The cost of rhodium per ounce rose from $1,800 to $6,000 by the end of 2019 and now, the price has slightly decreased but still stands at about $4,675 per ounce. Additionally, as we know, platinum group metals are always used in jewelry, electronics, and some industrial parts, so they are very valuable. Generally, there are about 1 to 2 grams of rhodium, 3 to 7 grams of platinum, and 2 to 7 grams of palladium in catalytic converters. The exact amount of these substances will be mixed in different ratios according to different catalytic converter manufacturers.
Although the metals are the main reason that makes catalytic converters expensive, there is much more. When it comes to the cost of the converter, we must also talk about production. It is a complex production, requiring specialized materials and manufacturing processes to ensure their efficiency and durability. This complexity adds to the overall cost.
Beyond these components, we cannot help but mention supply and demand factors. As emission laws become stricter, the demand for effective catalytic converters has increased. The supply of precious metals often struggles to keep pace, leading to price pressure and rising costs for consumers.
How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter?
On average, changing catalytic converters can cost between $700 and $4,108. However, labor does not cost too much. Instead, the cost of a catalytic converter will account for the majority of the cost. The cost of replacing the converter will depend on many factors, for example:
If you drive an older car, replacing your catalytic converter may cost you less. Older vehicles are equipped with cheaper catalytic converters, which can cost only a few hundred dollars. However, modern vehicles contain more complex catalytic converters, which significantly increases the price. Furthermore, if your vehicle is equipped with a dual exhaust system, there may be two catalytic converters to deal with. However, the cheaper catalytic converter will not contain the same level of precious metals, making it less efficient and less durable than others.
Replacing a catalytic converter can be one of the most expensive car repairs. Depending on the value of your vehicle, it may not be worth replacing the catalytic converter. However, you can avoid needing a new catalytic converter by periodically maintaining your vehicle.
Thus, I have provided you with information to answer the question “What makes catalytic converters so expensive” as well as the overall cost of replacing this part. To limit the repair cost of this expensive catalytic converter, you should observe and check it regularly to quickly detect and repair damage to ensure smooth operation.