Kia Rio catalyst: solving the problem in possible ways

From the very beginning, the Kia Rio - one of the favorites of Russian motorists - something went wrong with the catalytic converter (KN). The “branded sore” haunts cars until 2016: then the plant even extended the warranty for the part from 1 km to 000 km.


But after that, little has changed. Cars suffer from an exhaust system element that “cannot be removed”. Let's weigh all the pros and cons, and let everyone decide for himself where to put a comma in a well-known sentence.

A couple of paragraphs about the purpose and design of the catalytic converter

When environmentalists sounded the alarm about environmental pollution, talking about 135 kg of carbon monoxide and other toxic components of smog per year from each internal combustion engine, the question arose of how to save the planet. A tiny contribution to the solution of the global problem was called upon to make a catalyst that partially neutralizes hydrocarbons, benzpyrene and other pollutants.


The design of the device is simple: a metal case, in which a ceramic block with a cellular structure is placed. The cells are coated with platinum, palladium and rhodium. Precious metals, because of which the price of the converter is so high, seize, trap and burn oxides and oxides, making the exhaust somewhat cleaner.

"Delete, can't change"

A useful auto component in many ways, embedded in the Kia Rio exhaust tract just behind the exhaust manifold, creates problems for the engine and drivers. Cells that are sensitive to fuel quality, frequent standing at traffic lights, deviations in the composition of the air-fuel mixture are destroyed. They turn into dust both from mechanical influences, and simply from old age.

KH creates resistance to exhaust gases, "eating" 2-3 liters. With. But the main problem is this: the ceramic chips are partially drawn back into the engine, get into the cylinders and form scuffs. Therefore, many motorists decide to get rid of the catalysts, simultaneously sorting out the oxygen sensor and the engine ECU.

Without going into the legitimacy of such actions, we will talk about popular methods for removing “cats” and replacing them with alternative devices.

Repair catalyst in the factory manifold

A repair (universal) metal or ceramic catalyst can be installed in a regular place. The latter is 30% cheaper.


The benefit is that the "brain" of the machine does not notice the replacement: ECU firmware is not required. Environmental standards are not observed, since there are no catalysts (precious metals) inside. But there is no suspicious smell and annoying sound of an empty exhaust pipe either. A part for a "Korean" will cost from 6 thousand rubles. Under these catalog numbers, you can pick up repair kits - FORTLUFT CAT253 (metal), CAT252 (ceramic), BOSAL 099-948, CBD420001

Fake KN and lambda

The decoys installed in the exhaust tract imitate the presence of a standard harmful gas filter. There are well-made parts with some kind of catalytic metal inside: these are trouble-free mini catalysts. The oxygen sensor, screwed into the snag, regularly receives signals about the state of the exhaust, transmits it to the "brain", the system works as if nothing had happened. But such devices have a limited resource, so when the “check engine” lights up on the tidy, the part needs to be changed. Price - up to 1 rubles. Article - 100 TRANSMASTER UNIVERSAL (with catalyst).


In another, classic version of the snag, you need to drill a hole in order to supply some exhaust gases to the lambda probe. Here you can make a mistake with the size of the hole and then it will not be possible to deceive the electronic unit. But the craftsmen use the scanner and modify the hole to the desired size. The price of a classic snag is from 300 rubles. You can find the part by the catalog number FORTLUFT 000100.

You can do it easier - remove the "native" catalyst and install an emulator of the lower oxygen sensor. The simplest electrical device on the Kia Rio costs from 1 rubles, a good one is more expensive than professional firmware. Therefore, you need to think about the economic side.

Catalyst insert (collector)

For 2,8-4,5 thousand rubles. you can buy a suitable insert for the Kia Rio from the manufacturers STT, Club-turbo, Rival. The motor "breathes" perfectly, the efficiency is high.


There are practically no problems with the factory part during installation: the only thing is that the insert needs to be better adjusted to the mating plane of the cylinder head and to the lower flange. If there is no tight fit, soot will form in these places. And also, when buying a spare part, you need to make sure that there are fasteners for thermal screens: sometimes the absence of fasteners is found already at home. Articles of inserts for "Kia Rio" - TRANSMASTER 10170, RIGINAL RG285102BWA0.

Flame arrester

This element is installed in the exhaust gas system instead of the catalyst. The flame arrester lowers the temperature of the exhaust and works like a resonator. If you do not be stingy and purchase a stainless steel flame arrester that is resistant to de-icing reagents, then the part can last forever. But it can also burn out quickly: it depends on the noise-absorbing material inside. In principle, a flame arrester can be made by yourself.


Since the design of the flame arrester is direct-flow, the gases escape without encountering resistance: for the motor - plus, for the environment - minus. A simple component costs from 800 rubles, with a diffuser - from 3 rubles. The article of a suitable flame arrester for the Rio is CBD PLIN200.

"Can't delete, change"

This section is for staunch supporters of the fight for the environment and respect for the design of the car. Such a person knows that the regular original catalyst does an important job: it reduces the temperature of the exhaust stream (it reaches 800 ° C), dampens engine noise, and filters harmful impurities.

For drivers with a high sense of responsibility, we will help you choose a catalytic converter and install it yourself.

Which catalyst to buy on Kia Rio

The same neutralizers go to the Hyundai Solaris and our car. You need to be prepared for the fact that the originals cost tens and even a hundred thousand rubles. But in this case, you get a long-term warranty from the manufacturer.


At Kia Rio, you can buy the following autocatalysts:

✅ Euro 3 285102BCB0. The part is intended for cars younger than 2014 of release. The resource of the catalyst is 50-300 thousand on the speedometer. Problems, more often associated with counterfeit oil, prone to waste, can begin at 120 thousand kilometers. Price within Moscow and the region - from 107 thousand rubles. Analogue - metal FortluftCAT120 at a price of 12 thousand rubles.
✅ Euro-4 285102BWA0. If the traction in the car has fallen, the speed freezes, and when the speed is set, the engine roars hard and deafly, it is worth diagnosing the catalytic converter. The price is from 70 thousand rubles, however, you can pick up a used spare part in good condition for 12 thousand rubles.
✅ EURO-5 285102BWB0. KN under this article number is installed on the "Rio" after 2015 release. The element suffers from gas-balloon equipment and low-quality fuel. Price - from 113 thousand rubles. Used can be picked up for 19 rubles.

By the way, a worthless KN does not lose its value. Let's remember precious metals, which, in fact, are catalysts in chemical reactions for the transformation of oxides and oxides into relatively safe substances. So, you can hand over the old spare part to a specialized center for the disposal of obsolete converters. The proceeds will be used to compensate for the new catalyst.

How to change kn kia rio

Finding a car service that will replace the catalyst is not difficult. Prices vary, but the following condition is often found: removal is free if the old converter remains in the service, otherwise pay 10 thousand rubles. This will be followed by the installation of a new part and related repairs. In total, a round sum accumulates, so some drivers change KN on their own.


Steps to replace the converter:

✅ It is necessary to de-energize the machine
✅ Disable upstream oxygen sensor
✅ Remove the protective screen, unscrew the lower lambda probe
✅ Disconnect the resonator pipe adjacent to the exhaust manifold (here the elements often stick so much that you have to resort to VDeshka)
✅ Now you can remove the exhaust manifold
✅ After replacing the catalyst, we assemble the assembly and the entire system in the reverse order of removal

If there are no locksmith skills, it is better to turn to professionals.

We have provided you with popular ways to replace the catalytic converter. We hope they gave food for thought, and when the time comes, you will perfectly solve the problem with KN on your Kia Rio.