Hi men!

If a car has a Catalytic Converter fitted can you still pass out by the fumes ?

If you're sucking directly on the exhaust pipe, yes...  The cat only turns Carbon Monoxide into Carbon Dioxide.  If you're in close enough proximity for the amount of oxygen to be limited by the CO2 replacing it then you could pass out.

Generally it shouldn't be possible to pass out from Carbon Monoxide unless the cat is worn out, or there is a pre-cat exhaust leak.  However a cat is a 'flow through' device, not a trap, so if it it does not convert the CO effectively, then there could be high levels reaching the tail pipe.  CO is colourless and odourless so very dangerous to humans.  It is tested at MOT for this reason.

54 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

  If you're in close enough proximity for the amount of oxygen to be limited by the CO2 replacing it then you could pass out.

Thanks for the input Tom.

Reason for my question is years ago if a hatch was left open whilst driving, the exhaust gases would swirl back into the cabin and so the driver/passengers could pass out whilst driving, I've been told this won't happen no more because of catalytic converters, but what if the hatch was open for a good time as you drive along, surely exhaust gases could still be deadly ?

Im sure that persons who try to do away with themselves dont go looking for a non Cat car. ALL exhaust fumes are dangerous and will kill you Cat or no Cat

52 minutes ago, Ian Lanc said:

Thanks for the input Tom.

Reason for my question is years ago if a hatch was left open whilst driving, the exhaust gases would swirl back into the cabin and so the driver/passengers could pass out whilst driving, I've been told this won't happen no more because of catalytic converters, but what if the hatch was open for a good time as you drive along, surely exhaust gases could still be deadly ?

That would be extremely unlikely on a modern car in my opinion.  There would be very little CO at the tailpipe if the cat is working effectively, and there would be more than enough airflow through the cabin to keep it well diluted, unless the windows and vents were all closed.

There are other unpleasant emissions of course, breathing in HC's & particulates won't do you any good long term, but I think you'd be very unlikely to pass out from those as long as there is good airflow from the front.

 

On the subject of people 'unaliving', it's rarely done using that method now, because of petrol cats and diesels.  The idea is to go quickly from CO, it would take too long and cause additional pain & discomfort to do it from CO2 asphyxiation.  Sadly I do know of one person who accidentally unalived from CO in a Fiesta.  They had fitted a decat pipe but not sealed the join effectively.  They sat in the car with the engine idling for a long time, and the CO from the leaking cat join was getting sucked in through the cabin air intake.

5 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

On the subject of people 'unaliving', it's rarely done using that method now, because of petrol cats and diesels. 

A much quicker way is to get an EV and stick your fingers in the HV socket 🤣 That's the benefit you get by going all electric you're gone in a flash 👍

16 minutes ago, unofix said:

A much quicker way is to get an EV and stick your fingers in the HV socket 🤣 That's the benefit you get by going all electric you're gone in a flash 👍

Especially a Tesla pile of poo !!