Is It Good to Clean the Car's Three-Way Catalyst?
2 Answers
Automobile three-way catalysts require regular cleaning. The following are the reasons for three-way catalyst damage: 1. Three-way catalyst clogging: Due to the accumulation of carbon deposits and impurities from combustion, the three-way catalyst becomes clogged, leading to poor exhaust flow. The vehicle may experience sluggish acceleration, a muffled sound, and difficulty increasing speed. If the clogging is severe, the car may become undrivable. 2. Three-way catalyst poisoning: This causes the loss of activity of the precious metals, rendering the catalyst ineffective. The failure of the three-way catalyst is largely related to the fuel used, particularly when the fuel contains high levels of lead. Lead adheres to the three-way catalyst, reducing its activity and causing it to fail, commonly referred to as lead poisoning. In such cases, the engine warning light will illuminate, and fuel consumption will increase.
I've always thought that cleaning the three-way catalytic converter is quite beneficial, mainly because it can remove carbon deposits and debris, helping to restore the vehicle's emission performance. If you notice a strong odor from the exhaust, sluggish acceleration, or the emission light comes on, cleaning it might bring noticeable improvements, making the engine run more smoothly. However, the cleaning method must be professional; if the wrong cleaning solution is used, it could corrode the metal or block the passages, not to mention that cleaning is useless if the catalytic converter itself is already damaged. It's advisable to pay attention to regular maintenance and not wait until the problem becomes severe. Cleaning isn't a cure-all; it's essential to combine it with fault diagnosis to check for any other hidden issues, which can truly extend the catalytic converter's lifespan and reduce repair costs.
