Catalyst and Exhaust Systems: Overview
The catalytic converter and exhaust systems work together to control the release of harmful engine exhaust emissions into the atmosphere. The engine exhaust gas consists mainly of nitrogen (N), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). However, it also contains carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrogen (H), and various unburned hydrocarbons (HCs). CO, NOx, and HCs are major air pollutants, and their emission into the atmosphere must be controlled.
The exhaust system consists of an exhaust manifold, front exhaust pipe, upstream heated oxygen sensor (HO2S), rear exhaust pipe, downstream HO2S, a muffler and an exhaust tailpipe. The catalytic converter is installed between the front and rear exhaust pipes. Catalytic converter efficiency is monitored by the OBD II system.
For information on the OBD II catalyst monitor, see the description for the CATALYST EFFICIENCY MONITOR .
The number of HO2Ss used in the exhaust stream and the location of these sensors depend on the vehicle emission certification level (LEV, LEV-II, ULEV, PZEV). On most vehicles only 2 HO2Ss are used in an exhaust stream. The front sensors (HO2S11/HO2S21) before the catalyst are used for primary fuel control while the ones after the catalyst (HO2S12/HO2S22) are used to monitor catalyst efficiency. However, some partial zero emission vehicles (PZEV) use 3 HO2Ss for each engine bank. The stream 1 sensors (HO2S11/HO2S21) located before the catalyst are used for primary fuel control, the stream 2 sensors (HO2S12/HO2S22) are used to monitor the light-off catalyst, and the stream 3 sensors (HO2S13/HO2S23) located after the catalyst are used for long term fuel trim control to optimize catalyst efficiency (fore aft oxygen sensor control). Current PZEV vehicles use only a 4-cylinder engine, so only the bank 1 HO2Ss are used.
V-Engines
In-Line Engines