Do Diesel Trucks Have Catalytic Converters?

We all know that many vehicles have a catalytic converter installed in them. The purpose of this converter is to reduce the level of harmful gases produced from the engine of the vehicle so that the health of people could be considered. The environment can also be enhanced and improved with the installation of a catalytic converter in all the vehicles where the toxic gases are converted into the less toxic ones that are not harmful to you.

If you own a diesel truck or are thinking of buying one, you must be concerned to know do diesel trucks have catalytic converters? If yes, how does it work and why is it needed? You can get all this information in this guide. You will come to know in-depth knowledge about catalytic converters in diesel trucks and what is the total cost to install them. You will also come to know when the catalytic converter gets damaged and when you should remove it.

Let’s have a look at catalytic converters and let others know that a catalytic converter is present in diesel cars who are wondering do diesels have catalytic converters or not.

Diesel Trucks Need Of A Catalytic Converter

People who are concerned to know do diesel engines have catalytic converters, let us enhance their knowledge that catalytic converters play a vital role in the diesel engines as they contribute to protecting the environment. Your truck can move more smoothly than before with the help of a catalytic converter and the performance of your vehicle is also enhanced.

The catalytic converters in diesel trucks are slightly different from those that are present in gas trucks. It is because a spark is needed for igniting the fuel in a gas truck whereas compression is required to light the fuel in a diesel truck. In short, a catalytic converter aims to control the emission of toxic gases from the exhaust system of your truck.

Do Diesel Trucks Have Catalytic Converters?

Want to know do diesel trucks have catalytic converters? It is the best source you have visited. Let us tell you like other trucks and vehicles, diesel trucks also have a catalytic converter. But you should know that the catalytic converter in diesel trucks works differently than the catalytic converters present in gas or petrol trucks.

For your information, the engines of diesel trucks have emission controls that include four important stages i.e. Selective Catalytic Reduction, Diesel Oxidation Catalyst, Diesel Particulate Filtration, and Exhaust Gas Recirculation. Catalysts play a vital role in the process of facilitating chemical reductions for decreasing the emission of toxic gases from the vehicle.

How Catalytic Converter Works in Diesel Trucks

After getting information about the presence and need of a catalytic converter in a diesel truck, let us discuss the working of this converter in your vehicle. You must be thinking of a catalytic converter as a pollution filter but let us tell you that it works more than as a pollution filter in a diesel truck or any other vehicle.

The diesel catalytic converter also acts as a re-arranger. It means that it plays a vital role in rearranging the atoms and transforming the chemical components of exhaust fumes. This process is usually completed in four steps i.e. SCR, DOC, DPF, and EGR. Let’s have a look at these phases:

1. Particulate Filter

A DPF is a component that uses a wall-flow monolith with closed/open channels for capturing these particles from the inlet side. These particles are trapped till all of them are broken down into smaller particles and are removed through the regeneration process. This process involves the burning of organic material for generating carbon dioxide and water.

2. Diesel Oxidation Catalyst

It is one of the major components present in the diesel system of a truck or any other vehicle. The purpose of this component is to transform the toxic carbon monoxide into CO₂. It also plays a vital role in decomposing the un-spent fuel present in your vehicle.

3. Selective Catalytic Reduction

The purpose of SCR is to reduce NOx gases and promote the reduction process in your vehicle. The molecules of nitrogen oxides are converted into oxygen and nitrogen that is not hazardous to your health as well as the environment. A chemical present in SCR is diesel exhaust fluid that plays a vital role in the breakdown of harmful molecules.

4. Exhaust Gas Recirculation

We can say that exhaust gas recirculation is a technology that controls the emission of harmful molecules and gases produced from your vehicle. It plays a vital role in controlling and reducing the emission of NOx. It is done by lowering the concentration of oxygen in the combustion chamber.

Life Expectancy of a Catalytic Converter

When you notice there is a catalytic converter in your diesel truck, you must be thinking how long this catalytic converter will last. We all know that everything in this world has an expiry date and a day comes when that thing stops working. It would be best to keep an alternative to such things so that you do not have to face any difficulty in the future.

Let us tell you the life expectancy of a catalytic converter in a diesel truck is about ten years or 100,000 miles. Moreover, its life is also affected by the number of stops made by your vehicle and the time duration for which it stays active.

You should know that a catalytic converter can get damaged easily if the number of stops is too much instead of one long trip. It is because when you stop your vehicle, the engine is turned off before the catalytic converter could reach its optimal temperature range. Thus, if you want your diesel truck’s catalytic converter to last for a long time, you must get it checked regularly.

When To Replace a Catalytic Converter?

When you feel comfortable after getting all the knowledge about catalytic converters in diesel engines, you must know when you need to replace them. Let us tell you that when you notice the catalytic converter has become defective due to improper flow of gases, the buildup of carbon deposits, or any other reason, you must get it replaced with a new one.

You must be thinking how could you know that the catalytic converter is defective due to some reason. Do not worry, we are here for you. Let us enhance your knowledge that when the acceleration of your vehicle is reduced and the performance of the engine is slow, it means there are some issues with the catalytic converter.

You may also notice dark smoke coming from the exhaust system and a smell like rotten eggs coming from your vehicle’s exhaust system. All this is due to a damaged catalytic converter. You must be wondering about the reasons behind this happening. Let us tell you that some possible reasons can be contamination, physical damage, and overheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do diesel pickup trucks have catalytic converters?

Yes, diesel pickup trucks have catalytic converters installed in them.

2. What is the purpose of a catalytic converter in diesel trucks?

The purpose of a catalytic converter in a diesel truck is to reduce the level of harmful gas molecules into less hazardous ones to protect the environment and people’s health. It also aims to enhance the performance of your vehicle.

3. How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter?

The cost for replacing your existing bad catalytic converter with a new one is about 1000 dollars to 2500 dollars where you also need to pay the labor cost.

4. How long does a catalytic converter last?

A catalytic converter can last for about ten years if not used roughly.

5. When should a bad catalytic converter be replaced?

You should replace a bad catalytic converter when you notice dark smoke coming from your vehicle, the performance of your vehicle is reduced and the acceleration is also affected badly. You should also replace it if it is damaged physically.

Conclusion

In this guide, you are provided with detailed information about the role of a catalytic converter in a diesel truck that makes sure that a catalytic converter is present in a diesel truck. The purpose of this converter is to protect your health and maintain a healthy environment by reducing the emission of harmful gases.

We know that the use of a catalytic converter can not stop air pollution completely but it can contribute to controlling air pollution as much as it can. If your vehicle’s catalytic converter is damaged, you must replace it with a new one instead of repairing it because a repaired catalytic converter gets damaged after some time. So, it is useless to spend money to repair it and it is best to replace your bad catalytic converter.

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