Catalytic converter theft has been on the high side over the years. This is because the component has been spotted to contain some precious metals that can rake in a few bucks for the perpetrators of the crime.
Platinum is one of the precious metals used in manufacturing a catalytic converter. So, you may want to find out how much platinum is in a catalytic converter to understand why some dubious folks can’t let it be.
This post will expose the amount of platinum in the component and its worth, especially when sold on the black market.
After studying the details in this post, you will have an answer to the question – How much platinum is in a catalytic converter, and how much is it worth?
What is a Catalytic Converter?
Catalytic converters are the metallic box between your engine and tailpipe. They function to reduce the emissions of your engine exhaust. More specifically, your catalytic converter reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide your vehicle expels.
They use a catalyst coated on a ceramic honeycomb or beads within a chamber. This catalyst transforms the atomic structure of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water.
If you did not have one, you would face performance issues like reduced mileage, rattling sounds from your exhaust, a sulfuric smell like rotten eggs, and much darker exhaust fumes.
You could also face a ticket from your local police station since driving without a catalytic converter is illegal. The 1990 Clean Air Act prohibits the removal and replacement of catalytic converters.
How Much Is Platinum In A Catalytic Converter?
A standard catalytic converter contains about 3 – 7 grams (0.106 – 0.247 ounces) of platinum.
The amount usually depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and year, which is why some cars have a relatively low amount of platinum while others may have double the usual amount.
For example, the Toyota Prius (2016) contains a higher amount of platinum, and has extremely low emissions.
Aside from the Toyota Prius, other cars also have a significant amount of platinum, resulting in an expensive catalytic converter. Namely, the Ford F250, Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Aventador, and Ford Mustang.
Now that we know the amount of platinum in your catalytic converter or ‘cat,’ let’s find out how much it’s worth.
Role of Platinum in a Catalytic Converter
Platinum plays a crucial role in catalytic converters as a catalyst, expediting chemical reactions without undergoing permanent alteration.
Within converters, platinum facilitates redox reactions vital for converting harmful gases: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons – into less detrimental compounds.
Its catalytic properties enable the breakdown of these pollutants into benign substances like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrogen.
Serving as a catalyst, platinum ensures the efficient conversion of toxic emissions into environmentally friendlier outputs, making it indispensable in catalytic converters for its proficiency in promoting these crucial reactions.
Why is Platinum Used in Catalytic Converters?
#1. A good catalyst.
Platinum is a good catalyst because it can speed up the chemical reaction that converts pollutants into less harmful gases. This is important because a good catalyst is crucial in reducing the amount of pollution that is emitted from cars.
So, the catalytic nature of platinum effectively helps cars meet emission standards.
#2. Resistant to poisoning.
Another reason why platinum is used in catalytic converters is that it is resistant to poisoning. When other materials are used in catalytic converters, they can be poisoned by the pollutants in the exhaust gas.
However, platinum is not easily poisoned and continues to work effectively even when exposed to these pollutants.
#3. A good conductor of heat.
In addition to being a good catalyst and resistant to poisoning, platinum is also a good conductor of heat. This is important because the catalytic converter needs to be able to withstand the high temperatures that are produced by the car’s engine.
If the material was not able to conduct heat well, it would break down and become less effective over time.
#4. Not corroded by the exhaust gas.
Finally, platinum is not corroded by exhaust gas. This is important because the catalytic converter needs to be able to last for a long time in order to be effective.
If the material was easily corroded, it would need to be replaced more often and would not be as cost-effective.
How to Recover Platinum from Catalytic Converters
Platinum is the most sought-after among the three precious metals in a catalytic converter because of its commercial and industrial value. Meanwhile, the honeycomb-like structure of the component is the targeted area because of the high value it may bring.
Recovering platinum from a catalytic converter is quite straightforward, even though it is advisable to allow professionals to do the job.
However, if you have a scrap catalytic converter from which you wish to extract the platinum, be sure to follow the steps below. These steps clearly define the procedure for how to get platinum out of the catalytic converter.
Step 1: Locate and remove the catalytic converter
Firstly, go underneath your vehicle to locate the catalytic converter and remove it. Some of the methods to employ include using a flame cutter, chop saw, or unscrewing the bolts with the aid of a socket wrench. Whatever approach you choose, please be careful.
Step 2: Split the cat converter open.
Once you get the converter out, use a flame cutter or a cutting torch to split it open. While doing this, ensure you wear a pair of heavy industrial hand gloves and protective goggles (eyeglasses). Remember, “ABC – Always Be Careful!”
Step 3: Open the ceramic honeycomb
After splitting up the converter, carefully open the component’s ceramic honeycomb. Then, nudge out the platinum from the case.
Step 4: Pry out the platinum with a screwdriver
Get a flat-head screwdriver and use it to pry out the platinum. It usually has a silvery bronze color.
If you don’t have a flat-head screwdriver, you can use box cutters or hand-pick and peel off the platinum to get it out. This may take between 30 – 45 minutes to complete the task.
Meanwhile, if you’re wondering where to sell platinum from catalytic converters, kindly contact a local scrap metal dealer in your city.
Factors Affecting Platinum Content
- Vehicle Size: Larger vehicles require more powerful catalytic converters, which typically contain more platinum.
- Converter Design: The specific design and construction of the catalytic converter can influence the amount of platinum used.
- Emission Standards: Stricter emission regulations may require higher platinum loadings in catalytic converters to achieve the necessary pollution reduction.
- Platinum Prices: Fluctuations in the global platinum market can affect the amount of the metal used in catalytic converters, as manufacturers seek to optimize costs.
While the platinum content in a single catalytic converter may seem small, the sheer number of vehicles on the road means that the total amount of platinum used in this application is significant.
This has made catalytic converters a major source of platinum demand and a target for recycling efforts.
Which catalytic converters have the most platinum?
Three-way catalysts (TWC) in gasoline-powered vehicles typically contain the highest platinum content among catalytic converters.
Specific models from brands like Toyota Prius, Honda Accord, or Volkswagen Golf may showcase converters with notably higher platinum concentrations.
These converters aim for a measurement balance between platinum, palladium, and rhodium to ensure efficient emissions control.
While diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) or diesel particulate filters (DPF) in diesel vehicles are also important, they generally contain lower platinum amounts compared to TWCs.
The variance in platinum content often aligns with diverse vehicle emission control strategies employed by different manufacturers, with TWCs in certain gasoline vehicles demanding higher platinum proportions for effective pollutant conversion.
How to Protect Catalytic Converter from Being Stolen?
You don’t want to spend the money that comes with putting on a new catalytic converter. This can be one of the most expensive fixes you ever deal with on your vehicle, not because of the labor cost but because of the component itself.
For this reason, it makes more sense to prevent catalytic converter theft from occurring upfront.
Here are a few tips to keep your car protected.
- Know what cars are targeted. It’s important to know if thieves are after your catalytic converter. In general, many trucks, SUVs and hybrids top the list. You also have to worry about theft if you drive an expensive, luxury car.
- Etch the VIN on your catalytic converter. If a scrap dealer receives this catalytic converter, they might be more apt to reach out to authorities before paying for it. You may also consider painting the catalytic converter. Most thieves won’t want to deal with this identification, and police departments often recommend the practice.
- Be mindful of where you park. If you are in a public place, park where there’s plenty of light and traffic. At home, you should attempt to park in a garage or at least somewhere that you can monitor the vehicle closely.
- Install an alarm on the vehicle. Consider setting the sensitivity so people can’t get close to the vehicle without it going off. This could be annoying, especially if you park in busy areas, so use your judgment accordingly.
- Provide more security at home. Install cameras in the area and motion-activated lights that help you notice when there’s a problem.
None of these steps require a lot of effort to follow through on. When you factor in the time spent preventing catalytic converter theft versus the cost to replace it, you see how valuable these practices can be.
How Much Is The Platinum In A Catalytic Converter Worth?
The average catalytic converter has 3 to 7 grams of platinum worth about $100 – $237. Platinum is more valuable than gold, silver, and even palladium and is a good target for thieves.
As of 2022, the platinum price is $997 per ounce and $32.18 per gram. Keep in mind the platinum price constantly fluctuates.
Some cars have higher amounts of platinum and precious metals, making them ideal targets for cat converter thieves. Always ensure you protect your vehicle against catalytic converter theft.
Tip: If you have a scrapped ‘cat,’ you can check its worth with your local scrap metal dealer.
FAQs.
Q: How much is the platinum in a catalytic converter worth?
How much is platinum worth? The 3 – 7 grams of platinum in a car is worth about $100 – $237. However, the price of platinum in a catalytic converter depends on the type of vehicle and a couple of other factors.
That’s why cat converters theft is common with vehicles with more platinum. Therefore, ensure to protect your car from catalytic converter theft perpetrators. Meanwhile, if you have a scrapped one, you may want to check out the price with a local metal dealer.
Q: Which catalytic converters have the most platinum?
Some of the catalytic converters with the most platinum include the converters in the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Aventador, Ram 2500, Ford F250, Ford Mustang, etc.
The amount of platinum and other precious metals in these cars makes them special targets for cat converter thieves.
Due to the rising number of missing cat converters in different vehicles across various cities, kindly ensure to park in safe locations where your car will not be a victim.
Q: How much platinum do you get out of a catalytic converter?
If you’re asking, “How much platinum is in a typical catalytic converter?” Most converters come with up to 3 – 7 grams of platinum, alongside other precious metals like rhodium and palladium. These metals are costly when sold in the scrap metal market.
Therefore, if you replaced a bad catalytic converter in your car, don’t discard the old one as it can be sold for a few bucks up to a couple of hundreds of dollars. You may want to check out the price list of catalytic converters online.
Q: How much platinum is in a Toyota catalytic converter?
Most Toyota vehicles have an average of between 3 grams and 7 grams of platinum in their catalytic converters. However, the Toyota Prius contains the converter with the most platinum alongside rhodium and palladium. No wonder it is a major target for thieves.
Whether you’re contemplating how much platinum is in a catalytic converter in a Prius or Corolla, replacing a stolen catalytic converter can be costly. So, it would be best to protect your car from people who are out there to vandalize the precious component for money.
Q: How much is 5 grams of platinum?
5 grams of platinum cost around $149.18. However, the price per gram of platinum fluctuates with time. In other words, you may get something more or less when you take the same 5 grams of platinum to the scrap metal market.
Whatever the case may be, platinum, rhodium, palladium, silver, gold, etc., are all precious metals that command financial value in the market any time, any day. Therefore, if you have scrap metal with any of these valuables, ensure to sell it off for some returns.
Q: How pure is platinum in a catalytic converter?
Platinum is not a mixture but a pure substance. Among other precious metals, platinum is the purest, with a rating of about 90% to 95%. This is why it is a vital component of a vehicle’s catalytic converter.
Pure metal plays an important role in purifying the toxic pollutants in a vehicle’s exhaust system before they are released as less harmful gaseous emissions.
Final Words
Now that you know how much platinum is in a catalytic converter, protecting your car’s converter should be a priority. Remember that the catalytic converter in itself does not have anything to offer, if not the precious metals in them.
Meanwhile, discarding your old catalytic converter is not ideal. Even though it is no longer useful to your car, it still has some economic value. You can sell it for a few dollars in the scrap metal market.
However, if you choose to extract the metals yourself, ensure to follow the procedure recommended above. Nevertheless, extracting platinum is most likely a job for professionals. So, contact the experts to perform the task to get it hassle-free.