Catalytic converter cleaning...would you do it?

[BamZipPow]

Fergot to mention...chemical cost to clean the converter was under $10 fer 6 gallons of solution...cheaper if you don't use that much. Stuff you can find at yer local stores, too.

Would've cleaned my O2 sensors, too...but I had already shipped those off to someone else last year.

[meanjoe75fan]

I see two problems with this as a business model (in the US):

1. In 49 states, a replacement "universal" cat can be had for roughly $100. This means you'd have to undercut that price for your service...not a whole lot of profit.

2. In CA, you'd be installing a "used" cat on a vehicle...which is prohibited by CARB rules. You'd have to convince them that a "reconditioned" cat is the equivalent of a new one...a task that I'd guess falls somewhere between "extremely arduous" and "impossible."

[ron]

I'll go with post 2 Frank Lee says if it aint broke dont fix it. and I might add if it is, replace it with new its already gonabe a pain in the tail pipe.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by meanjoe75fan

I see two problems with this as a business model (in the US):

1. In 49 states, a replacement "universal" cat can be had for roughly $100. This means you'd have to undercut that price for your service...not a whole lot of profit.

2. In CA, you'd be installing a "used" cat on a vehicle...which is prohibited by CARB rules. You'd have to convince them that a "reconditioned" cat is the equivalent of a new one...a task that I'd guess falls somewhere between "extremely arduous" and "impossible."

2. I wouldn't be selling any converters as I would not be buying it in the first place. When you have someone washes the dirt off yer car...are they selling you a used car when they git done washing it? I'm not replacing the converter...only attempting to clean it...so it would still be the same ORIGINAL OEM converter they owned before the cleaning process. In California, are you allowed to clean yer MAF or do you have to buy a new one every time it's dirty?

I didn't find anything in the CARB that specifically prohibits the cleaning of the converter...only the replacement of the converter with non-approved converters (which some aftermarket converters were rescinded as of Jan 10, 2012 (http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/catrescind.pdf). If the converter on there is already approved, cleaning it will not change the approval status. The only way it would be rejected is when the converter is no longer performing up to the emissions standards set forth by the California Air Pollution Control Laws, California Air Quality Legislation, and the Federal Clean Air Act.

When yer vehicle fails an emissions test, does the inspector force you to relinquish yer vehicle to them on the spot? When you bring it back fer a second test, what do they do? As long as you pass the visual and emissions test...that's all that really matters to them. If you stuck some "additive" in yer gas tank and went driving fer 100 miles in order to "clean" yer converter, do you tell them that's what you did? Does the inspector ask you what you did to improve on the emissions test? I don't believe they will as their machine will tell them if you pass or not.

1. Show me a receipt of someone who had their converter replaced fer $100 or more and tell them they could've cleaned their original converter (provided it wasn't broken or rusted out) fer a cheaper price and see which way they vote.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by ron

I'll go with post 2 Frank Lee says if it aint broke dont fix it. and I might add if it is, replace it with new its already gonabe a pain in the tail pipe.

Not a problem with that train of thought. Do you have the same thought with changing the air filter or oil and filter on yer engine...or do you wait until the engine starts having problems? Having a "clean" air filter on modern cars is just a waste and won't improve yer mileage at all. The modern spin-on oil filters weren't introduced on automotive engines until 1955. Do you clean yer windows periodically or wait until it's completely covered over in dirt/bugs/oil before you replace the windshield?

It only took me about 5 minutes (taking my time) to remove my converter after removing my belly pan and drove it up on my car ramps. Four bolts, two nuts (O2 sensor), and two rubber supports and it was out. I know others might take hours longer...especially if yer in the rust belt.

Would you take the chance on cleaning yer converter and O2 sensors if it saved you money from replacing them if they were in still in good condition? Would you spend $5 to try? I'm guessing you'd be happier at spending $100 or more instead...

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

I would clean my car's catalytic converter but given the complexity in removing it, I much rather not touch it since it seems to be working as it should. That alone tells me the catalytic converter is running at near 100 % efficiency, even after 11 years.

I do appreciate the effort you put into this though. Any action that can prolong the life of a vehicle and its parts is commendable.

A real test on the efficiency of yer converter is to do an emissions test. Hours of operation or mileage would be a better indicator than time.

Here's how to remove the converter on yer 2001 Echo...
How do you replace the catalytic converter on a 2001 Toyota Echo

[ron]

First of all I.m no expert on cats, What I have seen is that the matrix in the converter is fragile and complex,ya don't beat on it when its plugged or it turns to powder. what is going to happen to it when ya liquid/flow clean the thing. I hope it works and you make your fortune

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by ron

First of all I.m no expert on cats, What I have seen is that the matrix in the converter is fragile and complex,ya don't beat on it when its plugged or it turns to powder. what is going to happen to it when ya liquid/flow clean the thing. I hope it works and you make your fortune

I ran the solution through my $1600 (new, MSRP) converter at the rate of about 5 gallons per minute at a pretty good pressure fer about 4 hours. Not sure how much pressure as I don't have the correct tools to measure it but it will shoot a solid stream of water over 10' tall. My converter didn't collapse or crumble...but I know that's only one converter and there are probably ones out there that could easily crumble based on the abuse that it went through. It would be interesting to collect data on which ones do crumble down and the background on them.

Not sure if I will make money on this...I'm just doing this fer fun to see what will happen to the industry. I'm sure someone's gonna make a ton of money...

[BamZipPow]

Doing more research on O2 sensors...they most likely won't fail because of gitting coated but more from the heat cycling of the sensor itself.

I did git an offer to clean a pair of Tundra converters from California but with shipping back and forth, it would've been more cost effective fer him to build his own CatWasher and clean them himself...and there would be less chances fer his converters to git damaged.

[Johnmichelsr]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

Would you clean yer catalytic converter if there was a low cost and easy process available? Kinda like cleaning the MAF sensor versus replacing it because it was dirty.

Had a little time so I built my own catalytic converter washer. I've named it the CatWasher. It's still a work in move out cleaning brisbane progress and I should be able to test and document it's cleaning efficiency tomorrow on my own 370,000 mile catalytic converter.


It has enough pressure to shoot a end of lease cleaning brisbane continuous liquid stream over 10' in the air.

I have never used catalytic converter for cleaning purpose. What is your review about the product is it effective and efficient?