Catalyst cleaner. Avoid costly repairs!
Problems that a catalyst cleaner solves
There are two cases in which the use of a catalytic converter cleaner is relevant.
- Prevention. Under normal conditions (high-quality fuel, compliance with the recommended mode of operation of the car, timely maintenance and generally good condition of the internal combustion engine), the catalyst does not become contaminated. The exhausts pass through the honeycombs, are further oxidized and quietly fly out into the atmosphere, while not leaving any deposits on the walls of the converter. And there is no need to use additional tools to maintain the efficiency of the cleaning system. However, at a certain mileage, as a rule, after the end of the warranty period, the motor gradually begins to give imperceptible, but important failures for the catalyst. Misfiring, more abundant burnout of oil in the cylinders, violation of the proportions of mixture formation - all this leads to the appearance of deposits of various nature on the walls of the neutralizer cells. And in this case, it is recommended to use a catalyst cleaner once every six months or a year solely as a preventive measure.
- Detection of non-critical blockages on catalyst cells. At the next maintenance or after repairing the exhaust system, some car owners find that the catalyst begins to grow with plaque, and the passage channels decrease in diameter. Here you can try to clean the catalyst with chemistry. In most cases, there will be no immediate or highly visible effect. But sometimes it is the chemical cleaning method, done in a timely manner, that helps to restore a dying catalyst.
There are a number of malfunctions in which there is no point in using a catalyst cleaner.
- melting of the catalyst surface. This malfunction is most often caused by low-quality gasoline, a malfunction of the timing or ECU, and can also occur during prolonged and merciless engine loads, accompanied by overheating. A melted ceramic or metal base cannot be restored in any way and must be replaced.
- Mechanical destruction of the base. The problem is typical for ceramic versions of catalysts. A cracked or crumbling base is also impossible to repair.
- Abundant clogging with the formation of resinous or hard growths that completely cover the honeycombs on an area of \u70b\uXNUMXbmore than XNUMX% of the entire surface of the base. As practice has shown, even a cleaner applied several times will not help in this case. There are methods of cleaning and such pollution. However, ordinary chemistry, conventional catalyst cleaners, will not help here.
Before cleaning the catalyst, automakers and service stations recommend finding out the cause of the blockage. It is easier to eliminate the source of the problem once than to constantly deal with the consequences.
A Brief Overview of Popular Catalyst Cleaners
There are quite a few products for cleaning catalytic converters on the Russian market. Let's take a look at the most common ones.
- Hi-Gear Catalytic Converter & Fuel System Cleaner (HG 3270). A complex tool aimed not only at cleaning the catalyst, but also at preventive flushing of the entire power system. Produced in bottles of 440 ml. It is poured into the fuel tank if there is no more than 1/3 tank of fuel in it. Next, the tank is topped up to full. The tool is designed for a volume of gasoline from 65 to 75 liters. After refueling, it is necessary to completely develop the tank without refueling. The manufacturer guarantees the cleaning of the fuel system and the removal of non-critical deposits from the catalytic converter. It is recommended to use every 5-7 thousand kilometers.
- Liqui Moly Catalytic-System Clean. Works in approximately the same way as Hi-Gear. However, the action is not directed to the entire power supply system, but exclusively to cleaning the catalyst. Produced in 300 ml bottles with a convenient filling nozzle. It is poured into a full tank with a volume of up to 70 liters. Handles carbon deposits well. For a guaranteed positive result, it is recommended to use every 2000 km.
- Fenom Catalytic converter cleaner. Relatively inexpensive catalyst cleaner. Packing - a bottle of 300 ml. The method of application is standard: the cleaner is poured into a full fuel tank, which must be completely exhausted without refueling.
- Pro-Tec DPF & Catalyst Cleaner. A versatile compound that works both as a particulate filter cleaner and as a prophylactic against the formation of carbon deposits on catalytic converters. The release form is an aerosol can with a flexible tubular nozzle. The principle of operation is direct. The foam composition is blown into the catalyst housing through the hole for the oxygen sensor. After pouring, it is necessary to allow the product to settle and soften soot deposits. After starting, the foam will come out through the exhaust pipe.
All these compounds are not in such high demand as, for example, oil additives. The reason lies in the relatively loyal requirements of Russian legislation regarding the purity of emissions. And most motorists prefer to simply remove the catalyst rather than clean it.
Reviews
Motorists are ambivalent about the effectiveness of catalytic converter cleaners. Some drivers claim that there is an effect, and it is visible to the naked eye. Other reviews suggest that the purchase of such compounds is money thrown away.
An objective analysis of freely available sources of information on the topic showed that all means, no doubt, work to some extent. However, it is not necessary to talk about the removal of serious soot, and even more so metal or manganese deposits.
A catalytic converter cleaner is almost always nothing more than a preventive measure. Despite the eloquent assurances of automakers, not a single cleaner is capable of removing heavy deposits.
