Catalytic converters can now get additional help from a medicine cabinet staples like mild antiseptic and eye cleanser which are also called particles of boric acid.

Tests and experiments of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory are looking into improving traditional motor oils to having more lubricity which will increase energy efficiency. The senior scientist Ali Erdemir of the Argonne’s Energy Systems Division has spent over 20 years of investigating the lubricious properties of boric acid.

This new and booming discovery will surely help a catalytic converter in its task. Catalytic converters have the chief task of treating the exhaust before it leaves the car. This process will of course lessen the amount of pollution produced by the vehicle. If these noxious emissions such as Nitrogen gas, Carbon dioxide, and water vapor were not treated properly, these would surely add up to the alarming global warming problem. Aside from the clean act of a catalytic converter, it also helps in making the fuel more efficient in terms of the power it produces.

The tests conducted by the scientists on the boric acid resulted to reducing as much as two-thirds the energy lost through friction as heat. With the catalytic converters and boric acid, the implications for fuel economy are not hard to imagine

“You are easily talking about a four or five percent reduction in fuel consumption,” said Erdemir . “In a given day, we consume so many millions of barrels of oil, and if you can reduce that number by even one percent, that will have a huge economic impact.”

Most fuels especially diesels contain some sulfur and other special additives to boost lubricity. These added stuff, however, can produce sulfur when burned. These noxious stuff, if not treated by a catalytic converter, may come out into the air to pollute it and eventually cause acid rain. This is just the start of the whole discovery and scientist at the Argonne National Laboratory are still looking into the nitty-gritty of the findings.

Due to the alarming rise in number of catalytic converter thefts, it has not been enough for a driver to take good care of his car, or even lock in his catalytic converter in a safe. A catalytic converter is made up of precious metals and a lot of platinum—which happened to be well in demand due to its 9% price increase since April. Thieves have been gamely stealing the cat cons in order to resell them to junk shops. We have reported in this Catalytic Converter Blog that Minnesota has already passed a law to help alleviate this situation, and that Nissan was able to develop a low-cost catalytic converter as well.

Nissan’s move will probably be the best solution to efface the rampant stealing of cat cons. They have finally discovered a way to lessen the use of precious metals to create a catalytic converter, but without sacrificing the efficiency of its operation. Nissan will be incorporating the use of nano-technology, making their catalytic converters cost half the price of what it costs today. We shall be expecting this with their 2009 car models.

Should all auto makers follow this trend or even develop a new technology with the same goal, then the crisis in cat con thefts will be effaced in no time. But this may take a while, as technology takes time to develop. So for the mean time, all drivers are suggested to guard their vehicles. Do not park in deserted areas or with poor lighting. While this crime has been happening even out in the open because the thieves act quick, it is advised to keep the car where you can see it easily. A car without a catalytic converter may still function, but a cat con does more to the environment and the air we breathe, so take good care of it.

Not because you have failed an emission test, it does not mean that you would have to replace your catalytic converter. Make sure that you have checked the condition of the catalytic converter first, before actually performing the exam. Hence, here are a few tips on how to prepare for the very important emission test.

Make sure the engine and catalytic converter are at operating procedure. It is best advised to drive the vehicle around first for at least 15 minutes, leave it running while waiting for its turn to be tested while holding a box of donuts, and ask the tech to roll it on the “dyno” for 30 extra seconds before settling it into the proper test speed. Do not let the car sit for a while and then try to prepare it quickly for testing, because then the catalytic converter would not be ready for the first phase of the test yet.

Other preparations include changing the oil, renewing the air filter, and for more difficult cases, cleaning the combustion chamber. One must know that dirty motor oil contains a lot of combustion byproducts, and that the crankcase vapors scavenged by the ventilation system bring in the hydrocarbons to the combustion chambers. On the other hand, a dry air filter typically raises carbon monoxide more than hydrocarbons, but it’s still a good idea to check it frequently, especially to enhance fuel economy.

Constant cleaning of the combustion chamber or the exhaust system is highly advised since it has been proven to be effective in reducing hydrocarbons. Here is how to do it: Locate a small diameter vacuum hose that is active at idle/part throttle. Next, add a temporary two-foot extension to the hose and fill a drinking glass with tap water. With the engine at operating temperature, have a helper hold engine speed at 1,500-2,000 rpm, while allowing the hose to slowly drink the glass of water. It is important that the water be ingested slowly, taking about 30 seconds or more to consume the glass. Otherwise, engine damage could occur.

Highway 178 was closed for hours due to brush fires that occurred in Kern River Canyon last Wednesday evening, causing motorists to experience hassle and delay. The highway immediately led to the Canyon so CHP had it shut down. It reopened at around 3:45 pm but was closed again by 6 pm to give fire crews the chance to remove their equipment. By 7 pm, it was finally opened again.

According to reports, three separate fires broke out about half a mile from the mouth of the Kern River Canyon by noon, and while two of those fires burned themselves out, the third fire managed to survive, burning 200 acres uphill.

The cause? Apparently, a faulty or defective Catalytic Converter fused these brush fires according to Captain Doug Johnston. This conclusion was led on when arson investigators found chunks of components from the anti-pollution device which apparently had fallen off from a moving vehicle. The heat acted as the catalyst that made the dry grass catch fire.

Two helicopters and two tankers were even used to combat the fire. The fire is just about out though full containment is not expected until 8 pm as crews are still moping up and making sure no new fires flare up.

If one will not take good care of his catalytic converters, bear in mind that these components are flammable and that they require maintenance from its owner. Although this incident may not be applicable when one buys high-quality cat-cons such as the BMW catalytic converter—it is still a wake-up call to car owners to secure their cat-con’s performance and condition.

Due to the rampant growth in numbers of car owners who complain of catalytic converter thefts, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law which requires all scrap metal dealers to record transactions in complete detail. This law was made effective starting today, the first day of August.

Under the new law, the theft of copper wiring from homes and businesses to be sold as scrap metal is now a felony. The act is classified as “intentionally damaging, taking or severing any line that transmits electricity or gas, including any apparatus connected to telecommunications machinery or equipment.”

While Savage may not be a big city, it can now be found on the google list of results under “catalytic converter thefts”. Thieves hit Rollx Vans, 6591 W. Hwy. 13, sometime overnight July 21 or 22 taking 10 catalytic converters and causing damage in the process. The loss is estimated to be more than $17,000.

Captain Dave Muelken of the Savage Police Department has said that thieves are now taking the catalytic converters to strip them of the precious metals that they comprise, and all those metals—platinum, palladium, and rhodium—to scrap yards. He reported that a stripped catalytic converter can be sold for $50 up to $250 each.

Scrap metal dealers, often the receivers of stolen copper wiring, are required to keep a record of each transaction. Additionally, all payments must be made by check or electronic transfer and video surveillance cameras must record each seller.

Catalytic Converters are important components of the car that ensures of a less harmful car emission. While it may not directly affect the performance of a car, it directly causes harm to the environment and the people, so one should take good care of this vital car part—both in maintenance, and protecting it from thieves.