Information

Technical Information

Up to and including Euro 4

Type Approved Catalytic Converters

• Increase in efficiency due to higher loadings of precious metals
• Direct Fit Type Approval
• Unique approval number for each BM part number

Our parts are Type Approved in order to conform to the current UK legislation laws which have been in force since August 2009. The law states that for vehicles registered on or after 1st March 2001, all replacement catalytic converters and CAT-DPF units must meet the set standards for emissions before they are granted with approval. Each part numbers carries a unique EC Approval number which is pin stamped onto the part.

The UK differs slightly from the European laws as all parts entering the EU market must be type approved (or “Homologated” as it is referred to). As such we offer approved parts for vehicles prior to the 2001 deadline in order to also conform to the European regulations.

Catalytic Converters (Catalyst / Cat)

What are they and how do they work?

A Catalytic Converter (Cat) is an emissions control device that reduces the level of harmful exhaust gasses that enter the atmosphere. It works by converting exhaust emissions into less harmful ones when the gasses pass through it, triggering a chemical reaction.

Understanding Emissions Reports

A vehicle will fail an emissions test on either, or all, of the following factors:

• CO Failure can mean several things, but is most likely caused by a poorly running vehicle. If a Cat becomes contaminated with unburned fuel, it will become unable to effectively convert the gasses that pass through it. A new Cat at full capacity will almost certainly lead to a MOT pass, but unless the fault is rectified, the customer will return the next year complaining of the same problem.
• HC Failure is an indicator that the vehicle is over-fuelling. A vehicle will fail on this reading if it has HCs in excess of 200ppm. HCs in excess of 60ppm indicates a vehicle problem that needs rectifying as soon as possible.
• Lambda Failure means there is a problem with the air:fuel ratio on the vehicle. If the lambda reading is less than 0.97, the vehicle is running too rich. If the lambda reading is greater than 1.03, the vehicle is running too lean.

Cross references

Compatible with the following OEM references

Applicable Passenger Vehicles

BM Catalysts is a well established UK company, with over 40 years experience. All supplied cats have Direct Fit type approval. 103R cats supplied with certification.