Ticking Cat - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

240booster · 10-09-2001, 11:02 AM

Why does my catalitic converter tick and click after i drive the car??? What and how exactly does the cat cut down on polution?<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

*LanceS13* · 10-09-2001, 11:19 AM

The cat provides an environment for reactions to take place.  Gases that come out of the engine include carbon monoxide CO, oxides of nitrogen NOx, and unburned fuel/hydrocarbons CxHx.  These gases react with some left over oxygen to make less harmful compounds.
CO reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
nitrogen oxides decay into oxygen and nitrogen.
hydrocarbon combust with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water vapor.
I'm gussing the popping is these small combustion reactions continuing after the car is turned off, until the cat cools below reaction temperature.

S13Grl · 10-09-2001, 11:39 AM

In other words: your cat is hot while you're running the car. When metals cool down, they make a popping sound, and so does your cat.

Thanks, lance! :biggrin:

240booster · 10-09-2001, 11:56 PM

RIIIIGGGGHHHHTTTT  YA THAT'S ABOUT WHAT I FIGURED LMAO   THANKS LANCE  :-P

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-09-2001, 11:02 AM	#1
240booster Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 245 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Why does my catalitic converter tick and click after i drive the car??? What and how exactly does the cat cut down on polution?<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

10-09-2001, 11:19 AM	#2
LanceS13 AutoX Junkie Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: MS Age: 39 Posts: 2,044 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The cat provides an environment for reactions to take place.  Gases that come out of the engine include carbon monoxide CO, oxides of nitrogen NOx, and unburned fuel/hydrocarbons CxHx.  These gases react with some left over oxygen to make less harmful compounds. CO reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. nitrogen oxides decay into oxygen and nitrogen. hydrocarbon combust with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water vapor. I'm gussing the popping is these small combustion reactions continuing after the car is turned off, until the cat cools below reaction temperature.

10-09-2001, 11:39 AM	#3
S13Grl Married to the Mob Join Date: Dec 2000 Age: 40 Posts: 3,670 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	In other words: your cat is hot while you're running the car. When metals cool down, they make a popping sound, and so does your cat. Thanks, lance! :biggrin:

10-09-2001, 11:56 PM	#4
240booster Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 245 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	RIIIIGGGGHHHHTTTT  YA THAT'S ABOUT WHAT I FIGURED LMAO   THANKS LANCE  :-P