Is Fuel Additive Effective for Cleaning the Catalytic Converter?
2 Answers
Theoretically effective, but if you're not certain the catalytic converter is clogged, it's best not to clean it, as it might have the opposite effect. More information about fuel additives is as follows: 1. Fuel additives are categorized by usage into gasoline additives and diesel additives. Functionally, they are generally divided into three types: cleaning, maintenance, and performance-enhancing. 2. Both cleaning and maintenance types contain cleaning agents in their chemical compositions, which can effectively clean or inhibit carbon deposits in the engine. Depending on the chemical composition, additives are classified into five generations. 3. Performance-enhancing types usually contain metal components, such as MMT (manganese) and other metal compounds, which can address issues like insufficient power and fault codes caused by poor fuel quality.
Honestly, based on my long-term car ownership experience, the effectiveness of fuel additives in cleaning the three-way catalytic converter is hit or miss. Additives mainly affect the exhaust system indirectly by removing carbon deposits from the combustion chamber and fuel injectors. They might help with minor catalytic converter blockages, such as improving emissions or stabilizing engine idle. But the issue lies with severe blockages: if the converter is completely clogged due to lead contamination or physical damage, additives are almost useless. I remember using a well-known brand once, which improved mild symptoms temporarily, but the problem soon returned, and I eventually had to send it for repairs. Prevention is more important—regularly using clean fuel to avoid carbon buildup or checking if the oxygen sensor is functioning properly. Additives are relatively cheap, costing just a few dozen yuan per bottle, which is more economical than replacing a catalytic converter for thousands. But don’t expect them to be a cure-all. Combining them with routine maintenance, like avoiding short trips that cause carbon buildup, is the real way to extend its lifespan.
