Question for you car buffs

[Graham]

My car has a blower which forces air into the exhaust via a solenoid valve. This is supposed to be to improve the fuel emissions for a short time after the engine is started, by allowing any unburnt hydrocarbons to burn in the exhaust. An added benefit is that the cat warms up more quickly, further improving emissions.
The problem is that this blower, mounted in the front wheel arch, is quite loud and sort of spoils the effect of a nice (my opinion I know) car. Question, as most, if not all other cars don't use this system, will disconnecting it do any harm to the cat?
It is connected via a 50 Amp!! fuse, with nothing else fed from it.

G

[Gomer]

You owe it to Mother Nature to leave it connected =)

[Graham]

Spoilsport !!

[Richard_Cranium72]

Besides the violation of Green Earth policy which we all should abide by, there are some other things to consider.

Most of these "Smog-Pump" devices show no ill effects when first disconnected.

Later on, several things start to happen.

Clogging of some small passegways may hinder the reading of the Oxygen Sensor causing foul running and poor fuel economy.

When the lines that "used" to carry fresh air to the exhaust are not used, they tend to heat up more and rust out.
More money down the road.

The Catylitic Convertor(sp?)on some models requires this to operate, this action may ruin the convertor in a short time.

If the noise is from vibration, try some damping material.

Likewise if from intake roar, try routing the intake through one of those Flexible air intake hoses with the pleats or one with a large box to silence the noise.

It also may roar from bad bearings.
Any electric motor shop could replace them.

What kind of car is this anyway ?

I've never heard of an electric unit like this..

DrVette

[Graham]

DrVette,
Thanks for the considered and speedy reply.

Firstly, the blower is, by comparison, no louder than others of this model, and the noise is not vibration, nor intake roar.
Why should it damage the cat if disconnected, especially bearing in mind that it only operates for a short while after starting (up to 2 mins), the same applies to the rusting clogging and oxygen sensor worries, it is off most of the time.

The car is a Vauxhall (Opel) (GM) Omega Elite ( http://buypower.vauxhall.co.uk/showroom/search/standardBrand.jhtml?brand=Omega&displayBrand=Omega&vehicleType=Car )

G

P.S.

As for violating green earth ploicies, CO2 emissions, USA, president Bush II, ring any bells http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

G

[DanU]

Over here it's illegal to disable any of the pollution control systems of a car. There are some stiff fines involved if you are caught.

Also, as richard mentioned, the catalytic converter may need it to function properly. If it get damaged, it's going to cost a lot to replace.

Not only is it good for the environment, it's good for your pocketbook!

[ragtop]

Leave the blower connected and turn up the radio a little louder. As others suggested, you might foul the converter if its not running.

By the way, is it as loud as a FOP 38??

[This message has been edited by ragtop (edited 05-11-2001).]