Because of a Federally mandated warranty lasting one extra year to cover emissions-related parts such as the catalytic converter, it is wise to seek the advice of a dealer's service department before forking out replacement expenses. A catalytic converter is an emission control device in the exhaust system that reduces pollutants in the exhaust gas stream, with two types: oxidation catalysts for the oxidisation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, reduction catalysts for the reduction of Nitrogen oxides and three way catalyst that can reduce all the three pollutants. If one suspects a converter is malfunctioning, more often than not, an individual must get an expensive tool to test the devices and the best place to get this done is a dealer or an authorized workshop. While undertaking servicing on under body parts check the converter for signs of leakage, rust and overall mechanical damage with emphasis on the weld areas and fixing points. Despite such failures being rather rare you can diagnose plugged converters by measuring intake vacuum with a vacuum gauge. The catalytic converter on most of the four-cylinder models is located with the exhaust manifold making it compulsory to change the entire manifold. In V6 models,
Oxygen Sensors must be detached; heat shields need to be removed; and the exhaust pipe assembly must be fastened with several new gaskets and nuts-it requires putting anti-seize compound on each thread so that it is easier to unthread them in the future.