Catalyst cleaners are available in liquid and foam types. The first is added to the fuel, and in the process of driving the car, the interior of the catalyst is cleansed.
Foam cleaners must be added to the inside of the catalyst using a tube. It is important that the cleaners help only in cases when the catalysts are in more or less normal working conditions, with only a large amount of unburned soot. They are useless for burnt-out units, because if the catalytic lattice began to crumble, then nothing can save it.
Nowadays, five main catalyst cleaners are popular among motorists, information about which is summarized in a rating formed on reviews and tests from car owners.
| Purifier name | Features |
| Hi Gear Catalytic Converter & Fuel System Cleaner | The most effective and popular cleaner |
| Liqui Moly Catalytic System Clean | One package of additive is enough for the largest amount of gasoline |
| Gat Cat Clean | Can be used with different types of motors |
| Lavr | Universal flush added on a regular basis |
| Pro-Tec DPF Catalyst Cleaner | Best Foam Catalyst and Particulate Filter Cleaner |
Symptoms that the catalyst is clogged
The car’s catalyst is constantly clogged. And the speed and degree of its pollution depend on the quality of the fuel used and the operating conditions of the machine. And the more harmful impurities in gasoline/diesel fuel, but the movement of a car is limited to city traffic, the faster the catalyst becomes clogged. Therefore, automakers recommend regular use of an additive to remove soot in the exhaust system.
You can check the catalyst for clogging with your own hands without removing it for a number of signs and tests.
- Decrease in engine power. The car accelerates poorly, “does not pull.”
- Engine speed limitation. When the accelerator pedal is pressed, the revolutions reach a certain value (usually about 2000 … 3000 rpm, depending on the degree of clogging of the catalyst) and then even their value does not increase.
- Increased consumption of gasoline. The corresponding value also depends on the gauge pressure in front of the catalyst. Typically, fuel consumption increases by 5 … 10%. This can be checked using the on-board computer.
- Increased consumption of engine oil. It’s the same here. The oil begins to burn, its level decreases, and the performance drops sharply.
The symptoms listed above can often indicate other engine breakdowns. Therefore, it is advisable to perform an additional check of the catalyst for backpressure.
Rating of the best catalyst cleaners
This rating was created based on the conclusions made by the guys from https://engineswork.com/products/performance-parts/best-5-catalytic-converter-cleaners.html
Choosing the best catalyst cleaner is often difficult because the first question that arises is which agent is better – a foam or liquid additive. Below is a rating of popular cleaners used by domestic car owners.
The list included only really effective ones, and about which positive reviews were found on the Internet, as well as real tests were presented. If you also used one or another cleaner – share your experience in the comments under the material.
Hi Gear Catalytic Converter & Fuel System Cleaner
Hi Gear Catalytic Converter & Fuel System Cleaner is considered to be one of the best in its market segment. It is intended not only for direct cleaning of the catalyst, but also for cleaning the power supply system (combustion chambers) of injection engines. It is positioned as a professional tool, that is, it can also be used at professional car services.
It is absolutely safe for oxygen sensors. The cleaning agents included in it not only wash away soot from the catalyst, but also remove debris from the gas tank, the surfaces of the elements of the intake tract, throttle valve, intake valves, walls of the combustion chambers.
Thanks to the use of the “High Gear” catalyst cleaner, the hydrodynamic resistance of the intake system is reduced, the engine power is restored, its speed is stabilized, and the toxicity of exhaust gases is reduced.
Hi Gear is a classic liquid cleaner that needs to be added to the gas tank before refueling. One can is enough for 65… 75 liters of gasoline. If the gas tank is smaller or is not filled completely, then fill the volume of the cleaner according to the calculated proportion. It is recommended to apply the cleaner every 5000… 7000 kilometers.
Reviews and tests found on the Internet show that the High Gear Catalyst Cleaner really cleans catalyst honeycombs well. The car accelerates more lively, the consumption of gasoline decreases, the engine speed stabilizes. Among the shortcomings, it can be noted that the manufacturer, most likely, has clearly underestimated the frequency of use in its commercial interests. In practice, the cleaner can be used for prevention even after 10 thousand kilometers.
Liqui Moly Catalytic System Clean
The additive catalyst cleaner Liqui Moly Catalytic System Clean is the second most popular product in this segment. It is designed not only to remove soot from the catalyst but also to prevent its reoccurrence. It also cleans the co-processing system, valves, and combustion chamber. It can be used for any gasoline engine with a catalyst, including those equipped with a turbocharger.
Please note that the manufacturer explicitly states that it is impossible to remove deposits based on manganese oxide in the catalyst with the help of an additive! Motorists, in their reviews of testing the Liquid Molly catalyst cleaner, note that the additive really returns power to the engine, reduces gasoline consumption, and the engine starts to run smoother. Among the shortcomings, it can be noted that the additive can no longer cleanse heavily contaminated catalysts, but this is a property of most of such agents.
Gat Cat Clean
Gat Cat Clean is marketed as a catalyst and oxygen sensor (lambda probe) cleaner. Can be used on gasoline and diesel engines with DPF, and can also be used in hybrid vehicles. In addition, it cleans the elements of the fuel system. Thanks to the use of the Jet Cat Wedge purifier, resinous and coke deposits are removed from the catalyst, carbon deposits are removed, the likelihood of corrosion on the metal (including electrochemical) is reduced, and the toxicity of exhaust gases is reduced.
The basic principle of operation is the use of chemical compounds that reduce the combustion temperature of soot elements to + 450 ° C, due to which they burn out much earlier than under standard conditions. Can be used with any type of fuel. 300 milliliters of cleaner is enough to dissolve in 60 liters of fuel. The effect lasts up to 3000 km, after which the prophylaxis must be repeated.
Tests with Gat Cat Clean have shown good efficacy. Quite good performance is compensated by its versatility since it can be used for any engine. A significant drawback is the obviously overpriced compared to competitors’ counterparts.
