Engine light been on a while and I’m familiar with the P0420
My question is could I harm the engine or other components using a cat cleaner . CR-V has 283,000 miles.
Also, if OKto use, which cleaner do you recommend.
Any I should avoid for my particular vehicle or because of high mileage.
Thanks all,
If we are talking about Cataclean or one of the other additives which you pour into the fuel tank, don’t bother. Modern gasoline already contains plenty of detergents and additives to help keep your engine clean. By the time a solvent has been burned in the engine, it is unlikely to have any effect cleaning the catalyst mesh.
If we are talking about pulling and cleaning the catalytic converter, and attempting to clean it with a solvent such as Carburetor cleaner or Brake cleaner, that might actually work. I have successfully done this myself in order to save the cost of a new aftermarket cat. I actually did this recently on my Daewoo Lanos, which I had been driving for almost a year with a constant CEL and code P0420. Pulling and cleaning the cat did allow the code to go away, though who knows how long that will last.
If the cat on your vehicle can be easily unbolted and removed, try cleaning it with a solvent, let it dry fully, and reinstall it. You might be able to restore the performance enough to get it through emissions.
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Thanks bcohen. Yes, I was referring to the Cataclean and I appreciate the advice.Since I’m not noticing any effects on the engine or performance, I think I’ll leave it alone as far as trying the often useless “fluid repair.”
I’ll look for a YouTube method for physically cleaning the catalytic converter.
Do you have any tips, advice or best method of cleaning the cat from your experience doing it?
Thanks.