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Cleaning catalytic converter with lacquer thinner ? stupid or recommended ?

133K views 21 replies 17 participants last post by  FabricGATOR 
#1 ·
Hello; I got a good huntch that my catalytic converter is clogged or underperforming; saw this guy on the youtube that before thinking on getting a new one I should clean it up first and one method is by pouring a gallon of lacquer thinner into the gas tank and run the car at 2500 rpm for about 30 minutes...before I do something stupid and ruin my car, has anyone ever tried this method ? is it safe ? good result ? got the P0420 code and indicates bad cat supposedly the lacquer thinner will clean all the gunk on it and eventually disappear the code..

Thx
 
#4 · (Edited)
You must have been watching this Scotty Kilmer video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTmYItwiE&noredirect=1

This might help and it's a bit more rational: http://mkrd.info/articles/fixing-an-audi-99-a4-quattro/cleaning-the-catalytic-converter.html

Lots of discussion here on the problem, including mention of the Scotty Kilmer video: http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2276914/lacquer-thinner-and-catalytic-converter

Here's the Scotty Kilmer channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/scottykilmer/featured

Scotty seems to be well recognized but I don't think I would take a chance on putting laquer thinner in my gas tank though for fear of damage to other parts.

A sensor malfunction could be the reason for the code. Might try replacing those first, the one that's on the converter at least.
 
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#5 ·
p0420 dont always mean bad cat, it means there is a problem somewhere. could be the o2 sensors, cold be the cat, could also be the exaust system, if there is a hole or crack etc. check these first before you replace an expensive cat.
 
#7 ·
Unfortunately, there is no easy "fix in a can". I never believe what I see on youtube or read on the web without further research, it's too easy easy to suckered in by "yellow" journalisim.

You are in the right place to start a reasoanble search to find your solution. I recommend exactly what these guys are saying; physically examine your exhaust system. Then check the sensors. Unless you are running a really poor blend of fuel that has been contaminated, I would highly doubt your converter is "dead" so soon. O2 sensors on the other hand, fail a little too often......
 
#8 ·
Forget it. Once the lacquer thinner has gone through the combustion process all of its solvent properties are gone. For example, could you clean a paint brush by waving it through the smoke of burning lacquer thinner? Besides that, you run the risk of damaging plastic components (gaskets, etc.) in the fuel system between the gas tank and the injectors.
 
#9 ·
I would be more inclined to remove the converter and soak it in lacquer thinner.. Couldn't imagin putting it in the gas..
 
#10 ·
The solvents in Lacquer Thinner are very strong, I don't think anyone can tell you what they would do to O rings or other rubber components of the system. If you think it is clogged, check the flow out the tailpipe, do you have good flow? can you shut it off with hand pressure? Does it stop immediately? You can get a bypass pipe to test the system, but it is unlikely with the miles you have that you have a clogged converter, it is more likely something else, unless someone has used leaded gas in it. If that is the case, no solvent will get it off.
 
#11 ·
I would highly advise against that. I would stream water into the intake to steam clean the combustion chambers and the cat, but that's about it. Would just run it hard as mentioned before.
 
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#16 ·
Hmmm, I know I've seen leaded gasoline in Mexico more recently than 20 years.

FWIW, the following quote is from this page: http://www.mexadventure.com/MexicoTravel/Fuel.cfm

"If you find a pump labeled 'Nova', be aware that this is LEADED gas, and should not be used unless your vehicle can run on leaded fuel."
 
#17 ·
"I would stream water into the intake to steam clean the combustion chambers and the cat, but that's about it."

When I went to GM Training Center years ago they strongly recommended against this. They talked about catastrophic things happening like head gaskets blowing or even the cylinder heads blowing off the engine from the force of the expanding steam. Dribbling ATF was okay but not water.

The last time I had a cat clog on me the car kept losing power and could not even maintain highway speeds. At the same time it started overheating. Any symptoms like this?

Bill
 
#18 ·
The bad word was "streaming" water. I would squirt water in with a spray bottle while running. You don't need much to create steam; you just don't want to hydrolock the engine and break stuff. This method still won't clean a clogged catalytic converter though, only clog it more with loose carbon.

BAD idea on paint thinner, etc. Excess heat from too much fuel burning in the exhaust is what melts/clogs the converter in the first place. If it's already melted, time to replace. What are the symptoms? You can't just go by engine codes to determine if a part has failed, you have to test the parts to verify the problem. You could physically remove the cat and look at/through it to see if it's clogged.
 
#20 ·
It Works!

I'd received the same P0420 code. Replaced PCV, plugs and O2 sensors. Light was still on after a week. I did this on a smaller scale by introducing 1 quart of laquer thinner to 4 gal. gas. Idled at 3000 rpm for 20 minutes and noticed funny smell and increased exhaust smoke. I then drove it up on the highway until almost empty. Lo and behold light was off and it passed inspection! My car didnt blow up, keel over or anything and seems to run a bit smoother.
 
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