Replacing the Catallytic Converter

[CountryBum-kin]

Any help here on this? I have to go through CT emissions, so I need to resolve this catalytic converter problem. I am loathe to spend $800 on a new one.

Many O2 sensor and catalytic converter issues stem from raw fuel entering, then burn inside the catalytic converter. I advise examining the fuel system fore proper operation before installing new or used replacement parts. otherwise you may end up throwing good money, and parts after bad.
Personally, I always check O2 sensors before replacing. The majority of the time I find the sensor is merely fouled and is good as new after a good cleaning. I do this on my personal vehicles only and do not advise others to do as I do as it may void warranties.

[lucentedg]

Update #1. Even with the lacquer thinner in the tank, it passed the CT state emissions with flying colors. No codes in the computer that would have failed the test. I will update again after I run all the lacquer thinner through.

[xHeart]

..., it passed the CT state emissions with flying colors. No codes in the computer that would have failed the test. I will update again after I run all the lacquer thinner through.

How is it now? What grade of gasoline, what ratio eg 1:17?

[aisrael]

It appears that the catalyst has an excess of sulfur on the coating from the fuel you are using. It is not recomneded to use lacquer thinner as an additive because it can damage the fuel lines, injectors, O2 sensor, and the catalyst.

Next time you encounter this issue (catalyst malfunction code or rotten egg smell also known as H2S), run premium fuel and operate the vehicle to relaase the stored sulfur. This can be acomplished on an empty road or track driving wide open throttle (WOT) 30 mph to 70 mph (repeat this 5 to 6 times).

The catalyst should last over 200K unless the ceramic substrate falls a part or an engine misfire melts the catalyst.

Aaron

[MoVolvos]

run premium fuel and operate the vehicle to relaase the stored sulfur. This can be acomplished on an empty road or track driving wide open throttle (WOT) 30 mph to 70 mph (repeat this 5 to 6 times).

The catalyst should last over 200K unless the ceramic substrate falls a part or an engine misfire melts the catalyst.

Aaron

Years ago I had flooded the engine on an 88 Camry Wagon when it would not start. It turned out to be a cap and rotor. Someone left the bottom screw off after a tune up and as it aged and warped slightly the spark was not getting to all the plugs. The raw fuel had flooded the converter so not long after that it started breaking apart till I had to replace the muffler and catalyst. I believe the fuel burning inside created the heat to break it apart.

It seems you are using the Premium fuel with WOT to clean the Converter so in essence you are trying to soak it as Scotty Kilmer is trying to do except out of the car and in the soap solution. The excess fuel could burn the converter out where as the Lacquer Cleaner is doing the same thing perhaps faster or cleaner than just Premium Fuel but not flooding it. I am not sure that the WOT 5 to 6 times is sufficient to clean it up? Have you tried it.

Blessings,
BKM
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[aisrael]

It seems you are using the Premium fuel with WOT to clean the Converter so in essence you are trying to soak it as Scotty Kilmer is trying to do except out of the car and in the soap solution. The excess fuel could burn the converter out where as the Lacquer Cleaner is doing the same thing perhaps faster or cleaner than just Premium Fuel but not flooding it. I am not sure that the WOT 5 to 6 times is sufficient to clean it up? Have you tried it.

Blessings,
BKM
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The point of ths exercise is to run the engine normallly with the loweest sulfur fuel availible on the market (typically premium fuel) to regenerate (not clean) the catalyst. The WOT are important because this regeneration requires high temperature and high exhasut flow to be successful.

I do ths for my 93 244 before inspection. The results will be lower emissions for all controlled polutants.

Aaron

[MoVolvos]

It seems you are using the Premium fuel with WOT to clean the Converter so in essence you are trying to soak it as Scotty Kilmer is trying to do except out of the car and in the soap solution. The excess fuel could burn the converter out where as the Lacquer Cleaner is doing the same thing perhaps faster or cleaner than just Premium Fuel but not flooding it. I am not sure that the WOT 5 to 6 times is sufficient to clean it up? Have you tried it.

Blessings,
BKM
-

The point of ths exercise is to run the engine normallly with the loweest sulfur fuel availible on the market (typically premium fuel) to regenerate (not clean) the catalyst. The WOT are important because this regeneration requires high temperature and high exhasut flow to be successful.

I do ths for my 93 244 before inspection. The results will be lower emissions for all controlled polutants.

Aaron

Hi Aaron,
Is this is a proven method/process someone or an organization came up with? I am just wondering because you said regenerate and not clean. I don't believe you can regenerate a CAT but you can clean. Seems like a play on words that was given to this process. Are there any data as in smog for a before and after using this process? I'm also curious for some real world comments on whether that has ever eliminated a CEL light related to a CAT.

The original problem was with a CEL and CAT codes. The Solution offered was Lacquer Thinner to Solve this issue and it prove successful. Proposing higher octane fuel and WOT driving and promising cleaner results would make sense as in the better fuel but not sure that it would be sufficient to clean the CAT or rid the CEL as the Lacquer Thinner.

That being said however, I have found using the combination below had helped to pass the CA smog for two cars when they did not pass the first time around. Neither car had CEL therefore no codes.

Chevron Premium Fuel
SWEPCO 503 Gasoline & Diesel Improver
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/sho ... co_pg9.htm
SWEPCO 306 Supreme Formula Engine Oil, 15W-40
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/sho ... co_pg8.htm

Blessings,
BKM
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[lucentedg]

..., it passed the CT state emissions with flying colors. No codes in the computer that would have failed the test. I will update again after I run all the lacquer thinner through.

How is it now? What grade of gasoline, what ratio eg 1:17?

I usually run 87, but for the lacquer batch I used 93. I filled the tank half way for the lacquer run, approx 10 gallons.

Update #2

I have run it to empty with the lacquer, total of about 280 miles. It may be my imagination, but it seems to be running very smoothly. No check engine lights have come on, and the rotten egg smell has not recurred. I will update it again at about 1000 miles.

[lucentedg]

Update #3

Drive it another 150 miles, then let a friend borrow it last night. I met him about 30 minutes from my house this morning, and noticed a lot of oil in the rainsoaked parking lot. Did not think much of it (busy parking lot) until I was driving home and the "No oil pressure" warning came on.

Pulled the car over and looked under the hood, and the whole right (passenger) side of the engine compartment was soaked with oil. Where I stopped it began to puddle on the ground. I added another quart hoping to limp it home, and when I poured it in, smoke came billowing up from the back of the engine, as if it was going in and coming right back out.

Not sure if this is related, but my mechanic will look at it tomorrow. I will update when he gives me the verdict. I am a little nervous about what he will say.

[MoVolvos]

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Hi lucentedg,

I think there are oil cooler lines down that way. Hopefully that is all it is!

Blessings,
BKM
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