Does pouring a three-way catalytic cleaner into the fuel tank have any effect?
2 Answers
Pouring a three-way catalytic cleaner into the fuel tank has no effect. Cleaning the three-way catalyst requires high-temperature conditions to be effective. At room temperature, the three-way catalytic converter does not have catalytic capability, and its catalyst must be heated to a certain temperature to gain oxidation or reduction capabilities. Typically, the light-off temperature of a catalytic converter ranges from 250°C to 350°C, and its normal operating temperature is between 400°C and 800°C. Therefore, simply adding a three-way catalyst is ineffective. To clean the three-way catalytic converter of a vehicle using a three-way catalytic cleaner, specialized cleaning tools are required, similar to an intravenous drip in a hospital. Hence, the cleaning process is colloquially referred to as 'hanging an IV.' The cleaning solution is drawn into the engine through the intake vacuum tube via the tool, passes through the combustion chamber and exhaust pipe, and reaches the three-way catalytic converter. At a certain temperature, it undergoes a chemical reaction with the deposits on the surface of the three-way catalytic converter to achieve the cleaning purpose.
I've seen many friends asking about this. Pouring a catalytic converter cleaner into the fuel tank does work. It mainly flows into the engine with gasoline to help remove carbon deposits and pollutants in the catalytic converter. I used to frequently use such products when repairing cars, and they worked well—improving exhaust emissions and fuel efficiency. However, the key is to use the right product and choose certified brands to avoid clogging the fuel injectors with inferior products. It's best to add it to an empty fuel tank before refueling, dilute it according to the ratio on the bottle, and then drive on the highway for 30 minutes to let the cleaner work thoroughly. Regular use every 5,000 kilometers is more appropriate, as preventive maintenance is better than dealing with problems afterward. Remember, if the catalytic converter is truly damaged, replacing it is expensive, so moderate cleaning and proper maintenance are the most reliable approaches.
