Catalytic Converter Cleaning
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 65
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Catalytic Converter Cleaning
I saw a youtube video, this guy drills a small hole upstream of the catalytic converter, starts the vehicle, sprays carb cleaner through the hole. I think he then plugs the hole off video with a screw.
Any thoughts on this? Im taking my car in on saturday to be diagnosed. If they say the cats are bad, i want to try directly cleaning them. This seems to be the best way, but i dont know what kind of screw will withstand 2000 degrees of heat?
Any thoughts on this? Im taking my car in on saturday to be diagnosed. If they say the cats are bad, i want to try directly cleaning them. This seems to be the best way, but i dont know what kind of screw will withstand 2000 degrees of heat?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Yeah spraying any flammable fluid into a cat will just melt the catalyst. There is no merit in this technique. The catalyst should out last the truck as long as the the engine doesn't burn tons of oil and you only use a reduced zinc oil such as SN or SN+.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,383
Likes: 1,867
From: Frederick, MD
There is a cleaner out there that gets put in with the gas, but everyone that I know that has tried it still needs to replace the cat. So in the end, a trip to the auto parts store will be needed.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
The 20.00 can of guarantguaranteed emissions pass? Yup its light petroleum distillate, MEK and ethanol. Nothing in there is helping fix a platinum coated catalyst except replacing it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 795
Likes: 259
The ceramic usually melts or collapses inside a bad converter resulting in no flow through the media, and high HC / low temps witnessed by the downstream O2 sensors.
This is more often than not caused by too much unburned fuel going through the converters, the exact same thing the guy in the video is trying to tell you to do. Bad idea IMO.
This is more often than not caused by too much unburned fuel going through the converters, the exact same thing the guy in the video is trying to tell you to do. Bad idea IMO.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Try disconnecting your catalytic converter and going for a quick drive. If that is your issue you'll know right away, your truck will drive normal.......loud, but normal.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2015
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,763
Likes: 1,081
From: St Louis
One must CORRECTLY CLASSIFY the problem before attempting to do further diagnosis or take other actions (including giving "advice"). Failure to do so usually wastes time and money.
There are generally two different types of failures for catalytic converters:
1. Chemical - The cat basically"dies" from an overdose of unburned fuel or other chemical contamination. It doesn't fail mechanically, it just no longer does what it's supposed to do. These failures are what cause the common P0420/P0430 faults.
2. Physical damage (melting/breaking/collapsing) - These failures are usually seen after extended chemical failure or extraordinary faults "upstream" that were not resolved in time. These failures WILL impact engine performance as the engine will no longer be able to "breathe" due to the restricted exhaust.
The cleaners mentioned in this thread originally are meant to try an address only the first type of failure in the hope that the converter can be rejuvenated enough to (usually) pass an imminent emissions test.
There are generally two different types of failures for catalytic converters:
1. Chemical - The cat basically"dies" from an overdose of unburned fuel or other chemical contamination. It doesn't fail mechanically, it just no longer does what it's supposed to do. These failures are what cause the common P0420/P0430 faults.
2. Physical damage (melting/breaking/collapsing) - These failures are usually seen after extended chemical failure or extraordinary faults "upstream" that were not resolved in time. These failures WILL impact engine performance as the engine will no longer be able to "breathe" due to the restricted exhaust.
The cleaners mentioned in this thread originally are meant to try an address only the first type of failure in the hope that the converter can be rejuvenated enough to (usually) pass an imminent emissions test.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,763
Likes: 1,081
From: St Louis
MIL eliminators or spark plug anti-foulers (spaces O2 sensors out of direct exhaust stream) can suppress the detection of chemically failed converters. Handy if you ha emissions inspections as a requirement for licensing. Has no effect if there is physical damage or failure (unless you hollow out the shell of the converter).
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 922
Likes: 7
I had a p0430 and replaced the sparkplugs first (6.2l) The code has not come back. I'd check that first. OE cats are expensive. Aftermarket cats are trouble.
The anti-foulers can also help if the cat really is bad.
The anti-foulers can also help if the cat really is bad.
