Catalytic Converter Cleaner?

[Roy T]

Does anyone have any experience using a catalytic converter cleaner? My 2016 Navigator just turned 170k and the check engine light diagnosis indicates the catalytic converter needs replacement. I've heard they can be cleaned but don't have any experience in what products, if any, actually work.

 

[jkeaton]

What is the exact code?

 

[Roy T]

I'm not sure of the code. The diagnosis came from an experienced mechanic and he said the code indicated one of the converters is bad.

 

[Roy T]

I did some more research on catalytic converter cleaners and the reviews are mixed as to whether they work. I also determined that the average cost to replace my catalytic converter is $2,000 so I figure it is worth further investigation.

Here’s what the manual for my 2016 Lincoln Navigator says to avoid:

Note: Use of any fuel other than those recommended can impair the emission control system and cause a loss of vehicle performance.

Do not use:

• Diesel fuel.

• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.

• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol or E85 fuel.

• Fuels containing methanol.

• Fuels containing metallic-based additives, including manganese-based compounds.

• Fuels containing the octane booster additive, methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).

• Leaded fuel (using leaded fuel is prohibited by law).

One popular cleaning solution on YouTube is lacquer thinner and the formula varies between manufacturers so you need to be sure to check the label. However, the three primary ingredients are acetone (40% to 70%) , toulene (< 1%) and methanol (10% to 30%).

So is it safe to use lacquer thinner to clean your catalytic converter? Since most of the YouTube videos show a mixture of about 1 gallon of thinner to 8 gallons of gasoline as a one time deal, I would say the risk is worth taking to avoid a $2,000 repair.

But I'm also going to check the ingredients in some other products that are advertised as being effective before I try lacquer thinner. If anyone has any experience please let me know how they work.

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[Norms1stTC]

 

[Roy T]

This is an update to my original post. Shortly after posting, the check engine light went off on its own but I decided to give CatCleaner as an added precaution. I followed the directions on the can an mixed it with about 4 gallons of gas when I was near empty and then drove until I was nearly out of gas and filled up. About 750 miles later the check engine light came back on.

I decided to try lacquer thinner and added one gallon to about 10 gallons of gas. I idled at 3500 RPM for about 30 minutes and decided to drive because the exhaust was starting to smell. I drove about 100 miles on the expressway until I was near empty. The check engine light is still on.

I'm going to get the sensors tested before I replace the converter but at this point I'm pretty sure I need a new one.

 

[Rangerguy302]

Does anyone have any experience using a catalytic converter cleaner? My 2016 Navigator just turned 170k and the check engine light diagnosis indicates the catalytic converter needs replacement. I've heard they can be cleaned but don't have any experience in what products, if any, actually work.

You might need to run another bottle threw it. I have a 05 navigator that threw that code, what I did was with a half tank ran 4 bottles of cataclean threw it. 1000mi later the light hasn't come back yet. It also seems to have performance restored and 2mpg better than when I first bought it (8ish-mpg, now 10ish-mpg in town). Now to deal with the vvt system

 

[Roy T]

You might need to run another bottle threw it. I have a 05 navigator that threw that code, what I did was with a half tank ran 4 bottles of cataclean threw it. 1000mi later the light hasn't come back yet. It also seems to have performance restored and 2mpg better than when I first bought it (8ish-mpg, now 10ish-mpg in town). Now to deal with the vvt system

Thanks for the reply. My wife is driving the Lincoln this weekend and after driving another 300 miles the light turned off. Who knows why? Maybe the temperature is a factor because it's been in the 20's for the past couple of weeks. I'll keep you posted.

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[Rangerguy302]

Thanks for the reply. My wife is driving the Lincoln this weekend and after driving another 300 miles the light turned off. Who knows why? Maybe the temperature is a factor because it's been in the 20's for the past couple of weeks. I'll keep you posted.

It's been cold in my area too, in my situation I'll bet the 288k on the clock has more to do with it than the cold.

 

[Ballyhoo]

A catalytic converter is simply that, a converter. An O2 sensor before the converter measures oxygen and hydrocarbon levels of unburnt fuel. If beyond limits, the indicator light trips. A second O2 sensor, after the converter ensures enough oxygen is mixed inside the converter to ensure proper reduction of CO2. So check your sensors, they trip the indicator light- not the converter. Most likely the front sensor. Poor throttle response and/or horrible fuel mileage indicate a converter being bad. As for the lacquer theory, not in my Lincoln. Ever.

 

[Action]

Ditto on the lacquer thinner or even the chemical to "clean" the cats. In my opinion it is snake oil.
I replace the O2 sensors every 100K miles. Around that time the signal from the O2 sensors is not as fast as it once was.
Slow signal and the PCM is making fuel trim adjustments on bad (slow) signals.

The chemicals you are using are going to have an impact on the O2 sensors. Because those sensors are the only electronic piece after the engine.

Action

 

[Rangerguy302]

Ditto on the lacquer thinner or even the chemical to "clean" the cats. In my opinion it is snake oil.
I replace the O2 sensors every 100K miles. Around that time the signal from the O2 sensors is not as fast as it once was.
Slow signal and the PCM is making fuel trim adjustments on bad (slow) signals.

The chemicals you are using are going to have an impact on the O2 sensors. Because those sensors are the only electronic piece after the engine.

Action

Gotta say though, I've seen seafoam work miracles. Couldn't be more right about the o2 sensors.

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[johifo]

This is an update to my original post. Shortly after posting, the check engine light went off on its own but I decided to give CatCleaner as an added precaution. I followed the directions on the can an mixed it with about 4 gallons of gas when I was near empty and then drove until I was nearly out of gas and filled up. About 750 miles later the check engine light came back on.

I decided to try lacquer thinner and added one gallon to about 10 gallons of gas. I idled at 3500 RPM for about 30 minutes and decided to drive because the exhaust was starting to smell. I drove about 100 miles on the expressway until I was near empty. The check engine light is still on.

I'm going to get the sensors tested before I replace the converter but at this point I'm pretty sure I need a new one.

How can I clear catalytic converter? Some says to put catalytic cleaner in gas tank, did it work? If it works then which is the best and cheap cleaner?

 

[bbf2530]

How can I clear catalytic converter? Some says to put catalytic cleaner in gas tank, did it work? If it works then which is the best and cheap cleaner?

Hi johifo. According to the OP and others who posted in this thread: No, it did not work. Plus, you take the risk of causing other damage.

I’m sure others will also jump in to share their experiences and opinions, so keep us updated and good luck.

 

[Action]

The best way to clean a cat converter is to take a drive at highway speeds with a well running engine for an hour or two. Longer would be better.

Generally a converter gets overwhelmed by a too rich fuel mixture or a non-operating combustion cycle where fuel is dumped out into the exhaust.
A Cat Converter will burn that fuel to a point. There is a limit. But even that can be "cleaned" up once the issue is stopped. The converter runs at high temps. And in a normal running engine the converter will burn off any deposits. Just get the system up to running temps, and drive it. The heat generated will do the rest. No chemicals necessary.

Action

 

[lincoln_head]

Sometimes you need to run an ecoboost engine hard. They get buildup if you baby them for a long time.

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