You’re reading this because you want to know how to unclog a catalytic converter. It’s true; as long as you drive around in a internal combustion engine car, you’d eventually experience a clogged converter. Why?
Well, catalytic converters convert harmful exhaust fumes into “safer’ gases, and a lot of smoke passes through the exhaust, so a clog is just a matter of time.
What you’re about to read will show you exactly how to keep your cat working in an optimum way. Read on!
What Are the Symptoms of a Clogged Catalytic Converter?
Driving a car with a clogged catalytic converter can be a pain in the ass. Besides the environmental pollution aspect, you’ll end up damaging your car engine. The good thing is that there are some symptoms which show up when a car has a clogged catalytic converter. Check them out:
#1. Engine Problems.
One of the problems with a clogged catalytic converter is back pressure of exhaust gases. Exhaust is trapped inside the car. Internal combustion engines need the right “mix” of air and fuel to start and run properly.
With clogged cat-con, the trapped exhaust thing lowers amount of air and fuel in the engine.
That is why starting the car can be so difficult. If it does start, it may suddenly, engine stop after sputtering for a while. You may also notice your car engine knocking while running slow. Engine performance issues are a symptom of clogged cat-con.
#2. Fuel Efficiency Issues.
A car with a clogged catalytic converter will become less fuel-efficient than before. Here’s why. That trapped exhaust gases thing lowers the amount of air and oxygen getting into the engine.
What happens is that it will be difficult for the said car engine to accelerate with foot to the floor in the gas pedal. What then happens is that the said car engine must use more fuel, through forced efforts.
#3. Your Dashboard Lights Come On.
This is one of the major indications of a clogged catalytic converter. A blocked catalytic converter can cause emissions-related car sensors to activate.
Sensors such as the O2 sensors help you keep ascertaining the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gases and also the air-fuel combination. This way, you can detect emission problems with your car.
This is why the dashboard of your car is another place you want to keep an eye on when you suspect that the catalytic converter is clogged. Unless you are riding an ancient vehicle, your car has a diagnostic system that alerts you whenever there is an issue with it.
So, if your engine seems to be overheating and the light comes on, it may just mean that there’s a problem with your catalytic converter. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your catalytic converter is clogged each time this light comes on.
Rather, you may be better off looking for the cause of the light coming on because it actually indicates that your car engine has an issue. A clogged catalytic converter is one cause of this.
#4. Failed Vehicle Emission Tests.
The natural progression from noticing the check light on is a vehicle emission test for nothing screams “clogged catalytic converter” louder than a failed vehicle emission test.
Why? Because a functioning catalytic converter forms an integral part of your car’s emission control system. If your car fails an emissions test, then it’s clear as day that your car has a blocked catalytic converter.
#5. The Smell of Rotten Eggs.
A clogged catalytic converter smells like rotten eggs. Why? Because rotten egg smell is indicative of Sulphur. That’s what happens when the catalytic converter can no longer catalyze pollutants – it gets clogged.
How To Diagnose a Clogged Catalytic Converter?
The ideal way of knowing for sure that your catalytic converter is blocked is to diagnose the car based on the symptoms you notice.
Fortunately, you can purchase some of the diagnostic tools you may need either online or offline. That said, here are few ways you can diagnose a clogged catalytic converter.
The Vacuum Test
To carry out this test, you will need a vacuum gauge, along with a little help(optional).
You should take the following steps to carry out this test:
- Depending on car type, you want to put the transmission to park, or neutral, after which you pull the parking brake.
- You should then connect the vacuum gauge to a direct vacuum line like direct intake manifold port.
- Now start up your car, and let it idle till it comes to its operating temperature. At this point, the vacuum gauge should be somewhere around 18 and 22 in-Hg.
- While focusing on the vacuum gauge, maintain a speed of about 2500-3000rpm. The reading should drop for a while before returning to its former level in a few seconds. If it takes forever for the reading to return to former level, then it’s usually likely that you have a blocked catalytic converter.
The Back Pressure Test
You would also require a back pressure gauge for this test, and the site of the test is the exhaust system. Here is how you go about this test:
- Remove the front oxygen sensors
- Replace it with the backpressure gauge
- You then start your car and pay attention to your reading from the pressure gauge. 0-3 psi is fairly normal, especially when you speed your car up to about 2500 rpm. Anything marking about 8 psi or thereabout means you have a clogged catalytic converter
The Temperature Test
For this temperature test of your car, you will need thermometers (infrared or kitchen). Here’s how to go about the test.
- Start your car and allow it to reach operating temperature (you could take it for a drive or you could just leave it running and idle for some 20 minutes).
- Ensure it is in a flat area,
- Depending on the type of car, set your transmission to “Park” or “Neutral.”
- Get and note the temperature reading of the inlet pipe that connects to the front of the catalytic converter. You might have to jack your car to do this.
- Do the same for the outlet pipe which connects to the rear of the catalytic converter. If the front temperature is at least the same as the rear temperature, then there is a problem with the catalytic converter.
How to Unclog a Catalytic Converter?
Now you know what state your catalytic converter is in, and you’re likely in search of a quick fix for the catalytic converter. The good news is that there are two methods for unclogging your catalytic converter. But there are a few factors you need to bear in mind.
Firstly, you need to ascertain that the catalytic converter is not clogged beyond repair. You also want to be sure that it is not broken.
If your catalytic converter is in any of these states, then you may want the help of a mechanic because applying a DIY approach might be futile. Once you’ve cleared that, you can opt for any of these methods for unclogging your catalytic converter.
Unclogging the Catalytic Converter without Removing It
There’s a caveat to this one and it is that it can only work if the catalytic converter is not too clogged. For that you’d need some catalytic converter cleaner.
This method is good for cleaning your exhaust and fuel system as well as your oxygen sensors. Here’s how to do it:
- Get some catalytic converter cleaner that associates well with your car.
- Make sure that you have about fifteen liters of fuel in the tank
- Go through the instructions on how having to do with ratio of fuel/catalytic converter cleaner
- Pour in the catalytic converter cleaner into the fuel tank
- Drive the car at for 2500rpm(at least) for about half an hour. This way, you have driven for long enough for the catalytic converter/fuel blend to have gone around the car and cleaned the system. But don’t let the car overheat while you are out on this driving excursion.
- Re-calibrate the OBD code after which you re-read the catalytic converter
If you notice that the car is penalizing faster afterwards and there is lesser black smoke from the exhaust, then you might just have unclogged the catalytic converter.
It is one of the cheaper routes to fixing a catalytic converter. Just be careful what you use out of those brands that the jury is still out on. Boarded the seafoam catalytic converter cleaner.
Unclogging the Catalytic Converter by Removing It
You should only undertake this method when you have tried the first method and it didn’t work out. Here are the tools you will need:
- Some automotive degreaser
- A large container
- Some penetrating oil
- A Floor jack
- Jack stands
- An impact wrench
- A pressure washer
Here’s how you go about this method:
- Wait for the exhaust system to cool down to avoid setting yourself on fire.
- Jack up your car and keep it in the air with jack stands.
- Remove the oxygen sensors.
- Grab some penetrating oil and spray some onto the bolts.
- Shake the catalytic converter, and if you hear a loud rattle, you may want to stop because the components of the converter will be broken up into pieces. If you don’t hear anything, then continue.
- Use the pressure washer and wash it at low pressure.
- Immerse it in hot water and degreaser.
- Rinse it using the pressure washer again at low pressure.
- After you have given it time to drip and dry, reinstall the catalytic converter.
- Reinstall the oxygen sensors when you have the catalytic converter in.
How Do You Fix A Clogged Catalytic Converter Without Replacing It?
Replacing a clogged catalytic converter can be really expensive. Fortunately, there are two ways to solve the problem of a clogged catalytic converter without having to replace it:
Cleaning It Without Removing It: As the name suggests, you attempt to clear the infection of the catalytic converter using a combination of fuel and a catalytic converter cleaner. After mixing up both elements in your fuel tank, you take the car out and drive it around at a relatively fast spend for a prolonged period. The fuel and the catalytic converter cleaner circulate into the car and flush out the pollutants.
Cleaning It After Removing It: This is a more complicated method. Here, you remove the catalytic converter and wash it out manually. It is then reinstalled having drained and dried out. You should try this last.
FAQs.
Q: Can A Clogged Catalytic Converter Be Cleaned?
Yes, but it all depends on how clogged it is. If a catalytic converter is slightly to moderately clogged, there’s nothing much to worry about. Such clogging is moderate and can be easily removed through fuel additives or by the physical washing of the catalytic converter.
However, you have cases where an overly clogged catalytic converter must be replaced since it might be virtually impossible to unclog it. In such a scenario, you’ll discover that the exhaust has heated the catalysts so hot they melted and no longer catalyzed the emissions from the exhaust.
The other scenario is when the internal moving parts of the catalytic converter have come apart be it from physical impact, or heat.
Q: What Are The 3 Most Leading Failures Of A Catalytic Converter?
The catalytic converter is dear trouble to you as it is to your car. It wrecks your driving experience and can leave you poorer too not forgetting that it can lead to engine breakdown if you don’t put it under control. Here are the 3 most leading failures of a catalytic converter:
- Mechanical Damage
- Overheated/Broken Catalytic Converters
- Coated Substrate
Q: Can I Hit My Catalytic Converter With A Hammer?
Yes, you can. As part of your diagnosis, you will need to use your unclogged catalytic converter hammer to take a knock on the catalytic converter to determine how well it is still holding together structurally. All catalytic converters contain some softer substrate that can collapse due to physical shock or excessive heat buildup.
You hear a sound like a rattle when you hit the catalytic converter with the hammer, then that substrate has gone bye-bye and the catalytic converter should be replaced and not unclogged.
Q: Can I Put Cetacean In a Full Tank?
No, not if you want to get the best outcome. For one, if you put some Cata clean in a full tank, then you will cause the tank to overflow. Secondly, the mixture of fuel and Cata clean will not be strong enough to clear the pollutants.
To get the best results using a Cata clean catalytic converter cleaner, you do not want to put it in a full tank of fuel. The best results are got with about 15 liters of fuel, and 15 liters of fuel will allow just the right concentration of Cata clean that is needed to unclog your catalytic converter.
Final Words
Once you understand how to unclog a catalytic converter, you don’t need to lose sleep over catalytic converter-related issues. Any of the two methods in the article can readily be applied to unclog your catalytic converter.
Unclogging your catalytic converter without removing it is the easier and cheapest method of resolving any catalytic converter problem. However, it is only a temporary solution for a catalytic converter and won’t be as effective as unclogging a catalytic converter after pulling it out.
Both methods are effective in unclogging catalytic converters for different reasons. However, there are situations in which catalytic converters are so damaged that they cannot be unclogged. In this case, your best option is to change the catalytic converter.