Is the Three-Way Catalytic Cleaner Added to the Fuel Tank Effective?
2 Answers
The three-way catalytic cleaner added to the fuel tank is ineffective because cleaning the catalyst requires high temperatures to be effective. At room temperature, the three-way catalytic converter does not possess catalytic capability. Its catalyst must be heated to a certain temperature to gain oxidation or reduction abilities. Typically, the ignition temperature of the catalytic converter ranges between 250–350 degrees Celsius, and its normal operating temperature is between 400–800 degrees Celsius. Therefore, simply adding a three-way catalytic cleaner is ineffective. Methods for cleaning the three-way catalytic converter include intravenous bottle cleaning and disassembly cleaning. Intravenous Bottle Cleaning: This method involves using the intake vacuum suction to draw the cleaning agent into the combustion chamber. After burning, it creates a high-temperature oxidation environment inside the three-way catalytic converter. Through redox reactions, it converts sulfur, phosphorus compounds, and unburned gasoline residues on the catalytic converter into gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which are then expelled through the exhaust pipe. This process aims to restore the activity of the precious metals on the three-way catalytic converter. Disassembly Cleaning: This method requires completely removing the three-way catalytic converter from the vehicle. The converter is then soaked in a cleaning agent for a period before being rinsed with water. This is the most effective method for cleaning the three-way catalytic converter.
A while ago, the exhaust pipe of my old car wasn't working well, the emission light came on and it couldn't accelerate. A friend suggested trying a catalytic converter cleaner added to the fuel tank. I bought a bottle and added it in. After driving a few dozen kilometers, I felt a slight improvement in power, the exhaust smell became lighter, and the light didn't come on as frequently. But later I realized this was only a temporary fix. If the catalytic converter is severely clogged, the cleaner can't do much, and you'll end up having to pay for a replacement. From my experience, it works when the catalytic converter is slightly clogged, dissolving some carbon deposits to improve performance and delay repairs, but it's useless for serious damage. It's good to add it once or twice during regular maintenance as a preventive measure, but don't expect it to solve major problems alone. It doesn't cost much, just a few dozen yuan, so it's worth a try.
