What is the cleaning method for the three-way catalytic converter?
2 Answers
The cleaning methods for the three-way catalytic converter are: 1. Add cleaning agent to the fuel tank; 2. Perform hanging bottle cleaning, where the cleaning agent is drawn into the combustion chamber through the intake vacuum suction and burned, achieving the purpose of restoring the activity of the three-way catalytic converter through redox reactions inside it; 3. Disassemble and clean, remove the three-way catalytic converter, soak it in oxalic acid and toilet cleaner, then rinse with clean water. The three-way catalytic converter is an important external purification device installed in the automobile exhaust system. Its working principle is: when high-temperature automobile exhaust passes through the purification device, the purifying agent in the three-way catalytic converter will enhance the activity of CO, HC, and NOx gases, promoting certain redox chemical reactions.
I've dealt with many clogged catalytic converter issues before, and cleaning them isn't actually difficult. You can try buying a bottle of specialized cleaner and adding it to the fuel tank, then drive for a few dozen kilometers to let the engine run and burn it clean. I recommend choosing a reputable brand—don't cheap out on low-quality products. If the carbon buildup is too severe, you'll have to remove it for cleaning, using a high-pressure gun or chemical soaking, but this should be done by a professional shop—don't attempt it yourself as you might damage the oxygen sensor. Prevention is simple: avoid short trips, don't let the car idle for too long, use high-quality gasoline, and regularly check exhaust emissions to catch carbon buildup early. A clogged catalytic converter will hurt fuel efficiency and power, so addressing it early can save you from costly repairs. These methods are what I commonly use on customer vehicles—they're effective and safe.
