Looking for a good online repair manual? Click Here for the 5 best options. To keep your car eco-friendly and running in optimal condition, you should know when and how to clean a catalytic converter. Over time, catalytic converters accumulate carbon deposits that reduces their efficiency. This is usually due to running a rich air-fuel ratio for too long. When this happens, your vehicle will show symptoms like:. In most cases, cleaning the catalytic converter will also clear the P code and the other symptoms.
One involves taking out the converter first, while the other does not. Before we get into how to clean a catalytic converter, you can avoid these causes of catalytic converter clogging:. Don your safety glasses and goggles before you begin. You should also make sure the vehicle has cooled down completely before you begin. The converter will be found in the middle of the exhaust system. It will be either square or round and it will be secured with bolts.
Take the bolts off with your wrench. There are some converters that are welded rather than bolted. If this is the case, you will have to take your car to a mechanic. Shake the converter gently and listen for anything broken inside. If there is something broken inside, or if the converter looks as though it has melted, you will want to get it replaced. Clean the outside of the converter with a towel.
Wash the component with your power washer. Then use a pressure washer to get contaminants or debris out of the component. Clean both the outlet and inlet pipes completely, but do not turn the power washer on too high. Combine hot water and degreaser inside a large container. Take it out of the container, rinse it off, and let it dry. Once the converter is completely dry you can put it back into the car remembering to securely fasten it when you do. Once again, you should go for a drive to test the component.
After driving on the highway and nearly using all the gas, re-test the converter and make sure it falls into the proper ranges. If it does not, you will have to replace the converter. You will have several options for getting the car fixed.
You can go to an auto body shop to have your cat-con replaced. Autobody shops are generally much less expensive than dealerships. You can find a mechanic on the AAA website. Be sure to ask the mechanic who will work on your car if he or she is certified in your type of vehicle. You can go to the dealership for repairs. Although they may charge you more, the mechanics at the dealership will have special training in your make and model of car.
They are also much more likely to have the correct parts on hand. If the code still comes back several times after the wash, you have to replace the catalytic converter. Het some berrymans injector intake valve cleaner like 4 bucks And it has been turning off on me while driving multiple times. What could the problem be? What could be the problem?! I would check for any boost pipe leaks. The best way is to use an EVAP smoke machine, but you could also let a friend rev it up while you are listening or applying soap on the pipes and checking for bubbles!
My Subaru legacy won't pull going up a hill until I find a sweet spot on the gas pedal then it takes off what gives. Have a diesel car but don't drive far these days-what should I do to protect the catalytic converter. You have a DPF filter in your diesel car. It's important to not only drive for short distances while you have a DPF filter. Over time when you are driving the car warm, the DPF filter will clean itself with a regeneration.
However, the engine has to be warm for this function to work properly. There are also additives for DPF filters if you are worried :. My car runs great TSX ,00 miles a recall at ,ooo miles pistons timing chain etc because of too much oil consumption.
Now that code comes on then goes off?? Yes, there is most likely oil in your catalytic converter. The problem may disappear if you continue to drive it. Drive it hard to burn out the oil from the catalytic converter. In the worst case scenario, you may have to replace it. Of course, you can also try an additive to clean it while driving. Contents show. Things to consider before starting 1. Too clogged. Purified catalyst. Oil consumption. How to clean your catalytic converter without removing it Step 1.
Get Oxicat Catalytic converter cleaner. Step 2. Pour the Catalytic converter cleaner into the fuel tank. However, before you do that, it could be worth trying the second cleaning method: a store-bought catalytic converter cleaner. The second method for cleaning a catalytic converter is by pouring a cleaning liquid into your gas tank. The fluid enters the fuel tank and mixes with the gasoline inside. Once you run your vehicle with these chemicals in the fuel tank, they act on the build-up in the catalytic converter, breaking it down and therefore cleaning it.
An example of the process for cleaning your catalytic converter with a liquid cleaner is as follows:. Please note that these are general directions based on an actual product called Cataclean.
Specific directions for other brands and materials may be different. Always follow the directions on packaging or consult a local mechanic if you have any doubts or questions. The old-fashioned liquid to use for this process is lacquer thinner.
Lacquer thinner is typically used to clean paint-related items like rollers or spray paint nozzles. But the liquid has corrosive properties that are tough on the types of build-ups in engine systems and catalytic converters. There are many versions of it available at hardware stores and online. Click here to see the Klean-Strip lacquer thinner at Amazon. While a substance like lacquer thinner may work to clean the inside of your catalytic converter, there are other options.
Nowadays, specialized cleaning solutions are explicitly meant for catalytic converter and engine health. These products are better than something like lacquer thinner because they have a reputation of being specifically for automotive parts. You will find instructions for use on the bottles and everything you need to clean your catalytic converter.
There are several brands of catalytic converter cleaners on the market. Some of them are geared to help your vehicle prepare for an emissions test required in some cities. Always follow the on-the-bottle or box directions regarding how much fuel you should leave in your tank when adding one of these store-bought cleaners to your fuel mix.
Click here to see the Dura Lube severe catalytic and exhaust treatment at Amazon.
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