cleaning out the catalytic converter

[node]

My emissions just about passed when the car was in for an MOT last year so i was just wondering if its possible to clean out the cats? Has anyone done this?

I've read some crazy things on the net from using a hoover to suck out the soot to squeezing lemon juice into it.

[Biglawrence]

I have a complete GTO 3r exhaust with cats - £200 del. PM me of intersted.

[alastairb]

to the tune of "when it breaks, replace with better" as a lot of folk do, should we be thining of race cats at this point?

be interesting to hear others thoughts. I seem to remember the cats making up a sizeable portion of my Urban Racing invoice for my exhaust.

[jdearden]

if they break take them out and have a nice straight through exhaust. although the sound side of things could be a issue.

[andym1603]

Hi,
There is a product on the market called "Cat-a Clean". You add it to the fuel tank and run the car normally.
I have used this a couple of times with great success. You can buy it online or in some accessory shops. Might be
worth a try.
Andy..

[IainZ]

andym1603 said:

Hi,
There is a product on the market called "Cat-a Clean". You add it to the fuel tank and run the car normally.
I have used this a couple of times with great success. You can buy it online or in some accessory shops. Might be
worth a try.
Andy..

That + the best way to clean a Cat convertor is to get it really hot - so run the thing up the motorway in 3rd at about 4-5K rpm+ for a few miles. Will also clean off your valves a treat too - Italian tune-up

(A good few miles at lower RPM is then recommeneded to bring temperatures back down to normal before stopping anywhere)

Edited by IainZ on Monday 10th January 19:55

[Gadgeroonie]

you probably have a dodgy lambda sensor - not a dodgy cat

[node]

Biglawrence said:

I have a complete GTO 3r exhaust with cats - £200 del. PM me of intersted.

I may PM you if i fail my MOT due to emissions, thanks for the offer.

[node]

Thanks for all your help guys. I do like the idea of the Italian tune up - but i'd rather be in 6th gear doing 5K revs on the motorway though

[Chapppers]

node said:

Thanks for all your help guys. I do like the idea of the Italian tune up - but i'd rather be in 6th gear doing 5K revs on the motorway though

It wasn't a joke, we do this at work with most cars before emissions tests to get a more consistent result. 3rd gear, 70mph, a few miles and then let it cool back down again. The higher temperatures burn off a lot of the soot and crap that accumulates over time and helps the materials within the catalyst work better because more of their surface area is exposed again, like when they're new. That's why emissions will often get worse over time.

[S B C]

Gadgeroonie said:

you probably have a dodgy lambda sensor - not a dodgy cat

Mike may be right! He did some work on my car on a RR a couple of months ago and noticed that the rear cat was glowing red hot - on tickover! No wonder I had emissions problems. A new LAmda sensor sorted it.

[node]

Chapppers said:

node said:

Thanks for all your help guys. I do like the idea of the Italian tune up - but i'd rather be in 6th gear doing 5K revs on the motorway though

It wasn't a joke, we do this at work with most cars before emissions tests to get a more consistent result. 3rd gear, 70mph, a few miles and then let it cool back down again. The higher temperatures burn off a lot of the soot and crap that accumulates over time and helps the materials within the catalyst work better because more of their surface area is exposed again, like when they're new. That's why emissions will often get worse over time.

I'll certainly give it a go, thanks.