Has it ever happened to you that when you went for the car emission safety test and failed even though there was nothing wrong with your car? Well, perhaps in your opinion. If yes, then this all happened because of the excessive pollutants built up inside the catalytic converter or your ride. The catalytic converter is a crucial part of your vehicle that’s main task is to keep harmful emissions at bay.
During the engine’s combustion process, some exhaust gases are produced that are extremely toxic and could become dangerous pollutants if let into the atmosphere. This is where a catalytic converter comes in.
A catalytic converter reduces the toxicity of those exhaust gases before they are released via the tailpipe of your vehicle. But this all gets shattered if the catalytic converter gets clogged or even worse busted. Fixing this expensive part is not what everyone can afford, and this is why the best way to avoid that from happening is to maintain the converters well.
In this article, we have listed the eight best catalytic converter cleaners that work wonders and can help you keep your ride environment friendly for a long time.
Top Pick Catalytic Converter Cleaner
Catalytic converters help in reducing the toxicity levels of the gases emitted from your car with the help of a special reaction that allows this process to happen when the gases come in contact with the metal of the converters.
With all such hefty processes, they are bound to get dirty, and that is when the best catalytic converter cleaner comes in handy.
Neglecting catalytic converters will only lead you to a busted part that is expensive to replace. However, maintaining it will cost far less, and our list of the best catalytic converter cleaner in 2023 is the one you need.
Cataclean Catalytic Converter Cleaner
Dura Lube Catalytic Converter Cleaner
Seafoam Catalytic Converter Cleaner
What Is A Catalytic Converter?
Your car’s engine produces harmful pollutants during the normal combustion process. But for the sake of the environment and people’s health such harmful things cannot be released into the environment thus they needed to be filtered out.
And this is where a catalytic converter comes in. The job of a catalytic converter is to convert all the produced harmful pollutants into less harmful gases that can be easily released into the open.
However, the excessive build-up of carbon pollutants inside the catalytic converter reduces its filtering efficiency, and that is when you need the best catalytic converter cleaner at your hands.
What Are The Reasons For The Damage Of Catalytic Converters?
As stated earlier, a catalytic converter is a device that is a crucial part of a vehicle’s exhaust emission control system.
Over time filtering out the harmful gases and pollutants it is understandable that it can get clogged with all the carbon buildup. Such a build-up restricts the converter from doing its job well.
Suggestion For Reading:
9 Best Seat Covers For Dodge RAM 1500 to Buy Online
5 Best Honda CRV Seat Covers Review To Buy Online
In other words, the catalytic converter prevents the catalyst from removing harmful emissions from the exhaust. And you can get the idea of such a thing happening if you see your “Check Engine Light” on.
The complete neglect of the converter and no proper cleaning whether professional or regular leads to that carbon buildup which is the sole reason that leads to the damage of this crucial part.
If you do not take care of it with the best catalytic converter cleaner out there, then no matter how high quality your catalytic converter is, you will need it to have replaced at all costs.
What Causes The Carbon Buildup?
Carbon buildup means the collection of debris remaining after the engine’s ignition process. But if you encounter excessive carbon buildup in your catalytic converter, it means that there is a high chance that your vehicle might be running rich.
Related: 9 Best Toyota Tacoma Seat Covers Review, Best Price
“Running Rich” is a term used about automobiles that indicates that the air to fuel ratio is less than required, and your engine is not burning all of the fuel it is consuming.
Thus all that fuel that is not being burnt properly collects as debris inside the walls of the catalytic converter. And the second way to have it replaced is to use the best catalytic converter cleaner.
How To Find The Boost up Catalytic Converter Cleaner?
Catalytic converter cleaners are magical solutions for your vehicles. They can help in decreasing the carbon footprint of your engine and ensuring it runs smoothly.
You can find various products available in the market, but there are certain things that you need to ensure to find the best catalytic converter cleaner out there.
Here we have listed a few things that you need to look for in a cleaner to be used in your catalytic converter:
– Compatibility
The first thing that you need to ensure is if the product of your choice is compatible with your engine or not. You need to understand that all the cleaners are not meant for all kinds of engines.
Compatibility is not an issue with the old gasoline engines. However, with the new hybrid or diesel-powered engines, you need to be extra careful.
Suggestion: Best Jeep Wrangler Floor Mats Reviews To Buy Online
So choose a good quality catalytic converter as they are compatible with almost all sorts of engines.
– Range
The next thing for you to check out is the cleaning range of your product. During your search, you will come across products that either work for a specific part or provide all-around cleanup.
As you know for your vehicle to run smoothly all of its parts need to work well in sync. So, it is better if you go for a product that can easily clean your entire exhaust system, including carburetors, oxygen sensors, valves, passageways, and more.
Choosing such a product will not only save you money but also keep your engine along with all its parts working smoothly.
– Cleaning Efficiency
The cleaning effectiveness of a product decides how much quantity you are going to need. The best catalytic converter cleaners require you to use a little of their solution to clean up your engine.
Most cleaner products come with a detailed description of the amount to be used. So, compare different products and choose the most efficient one in terms of efficiency & performance.
– Price
Budget is what you need to consider whenever purchasing any item. So when buying the best catalytic converter cleaner, you need to consider the price game as well.
Such cleaners are fairly priced so there should not be an issue to purchase them, but the good quality ones sure will cost more than the others. However, you need to remember that if your vehicle fails the emission test it can cost you more than $2000.
So think of future losses before you decide to go cheap shopping for the cleaners.
How To Clean A Catalytic Converter?
Now that you are completely aware of what a catalytic converter is, how it can get all dirty, and how you can find the best catalytic converter cleaner for it; now is the time to learn about how you can clean a catalytic converter all by yourself.
Popular For You:
Best SUVs With 5000 Towing Capacity – SUVs That Can Tow 5000 Lbs.
Best Car Lease Deals & Incentives
Sure you can seek out professional help, but that sure will cost you a lot. If your catalytic converter is not at the busted stage, then it is the time you start paying attention to it and start cleaning.
Here is the description of step by the step cleaning process that you can follow easily without any need for prior knowledge. So let us get started.
Step by step cleaning process:
- Firstly, pour your bottle of the catalytic converter cleaner into the cleaner.
- Drive your car until the tank is almost empty.
- Also, check for any OBDII errors like the check engine light and work to clear such error codes.
- After that, you need to refill the gas tank.
- Finally, drive for around 50 miles to re-calibrate On-Board Diagnostic System.
List of the 8 Best Catalytic Converter Cleaner Of 2023 To Buy Online:
If you want your car to be environment-friendly then it is high time you pay attention to your carbon emission. Your car can perform poorly due to the extreme carbon deposit, and owning the best catalytic converter cleaners is the only solution.
Catalytic converter cleaners are reasonable, clean that debris easily, highly effective in minimizing carbon emissions, and enhance the overall emission of your ride.
Below we have listed the 8 best catalytic converter cleaners that will work like magic with your car. So let us check them out one by one.
1. Cataclean Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Quantity: 473 ML
- Refrain to use if you’ve 2-stroke or oil/gas mix engines
- Helps in reducing carbon buildup
- Enhances overall vehicle performance-including driveability issues
One of the best catalytic converter cleaners you can find in the market is none other than the famous brand Cataclean.
The Cataclean catalytic converter cleaner is a complete engine, fuel, and exhaust system cleaner. It easily reduces carbon build-up in the catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, fuel injectors, and cylinder heads which results in improved fuel efficiency.
Furthermore, Cataclean catalytic converter cleaner help in reducing your total hydrocarbon emission up to by 50 percent. This product is safe for gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and flex-fuel vehicles as it does not alter fuel. However, it is not for use in 2-stroke or oil/gas mix engines.
2. Dura Lube Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Quantity: 16 fl. oz
- Long-lasting
- Protects catalyst from long-term poisoning from phosphorous and zinc
- Helps clear engine codes
- Use only when your check engine light is activated
- Universal fit
- Lowers tailpipe emissions
Dura lube catalytic converter cleaner is another pocket-friendly product you should buy for your car. This item has a long-lasting effect and should be used only when the warning light on your dashboard is activated.
Related: Comparison Of Synthetic Oil Vs Conventional Oil: Which One Is Better?
It must be used before if you decide to replace your catalytic converter. The dura lube catalytic converter cleaner helps greatly in reducing phosphorus & zinc retention levels at the catalyst inlet and saves it from oil poisoning.
It comes in a lightweight pack of one and lowers your tailpipe emissions to a great extent.
3. Oxicat Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Quantity: 10 ounces
- Safe & effective for all gasoline & diesel vehicles
- You can use it regularly
- Works well when your catalytic converter is at its functioning temperature
- TUV certified
The Oxicat catalytic converter cleaner is another best product as it is safe to use for all diesel and gasoline vehicles.
It is specifically engineered to clean the entire exhaust system of your car with its regular usage.
However, for the best results, you need to ensure that whenever you use Oxicat catalytic converter cleaner, the catalytic converter is at its required working temperature.
The product is made in Germany, is TUV certified, and has proven safe & effective for usage.
4. Seafoam Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Quantity: 16 oz
- The product is an sf16 motor tune up
- Easy and simple use kit
- 100 percent pure petroleum
- EPA registered product
- Liquefies gum and varnish deposits or internal engine contaminants
- 100 percent pure petroleum
- Cleans fuel injectors and carburetor passageways
- Cleans intake valve and chamber deposits
- Lubricates upper cylinders
- Stabilizes gas and diesel fuels for up to 2 years
- Works in crankcase oil to liquefy harmful residues and deposits
The Seafoam catalytic converter cleaner comes in a 16 oz bottle that is ideal for your motor treatment. This product liquefies gum and varnish deposits or internal engine contaminations.
With this catalytic converter cleaner, you can easily clean your vehicle’s fuel injectors, carburetor passageways, intake valves, and chamber deposits.
This product helps in stabilizing gas and diesel fuels for up to 2 years and also works well in crankcase oil to liquefy harmful residues and deposits.
Don’t Miss To Checkout: Best Car Seat Cushion To Ease Sciatica Pain While Driving (Buying Guide)
Not only this, the Seafoam catalytic converter cleaner is 100 percent pure petroleum and is extremely easy to use.
5. CRC Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Quantity: 12.8 Ounces
- Reduces emissions and improves performance in one tank full
- Powerful detergent additives super-clean the entire fuel system
- Maximum allowable cleaning chemistry for superior results.
- Works with all gasoline & ethanol-blended fuels.
- Increased MPG
- Restored Fuel System
- Improved Power & Performance
- Faster Acceleration
- Easier Starts
- Improved Airflow
The CRC catalytic converter cleaner helps in reducing toxic emissions from your vehicle and improves its performance just from the first usage.
The product has powerful detergent additives that easily clean the entire fuel system improving fuel economy, reducing emissions, and enhancing acceleration.
This CRC catalytic converter cleaner works well with all gasoline and ethanol-blended fuels and helps in restoring your vehicle’s fuel system.
6. Solder-It Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Quantity: 473.17 ML
- Helps eliminate the “rotten egg” odor
- May help in passing the emissions control test!
- Helps clean oxygen sensor
- Extends time between tune-ups
- Works with all catalyst types
Purchase the Solder-It catalytic converter cleaner if you want to get rid of the rotten egg odor that you keep experiencing in your car.
This one product can help you pass that emission control test as it is highly effective in cleaning oxygen sensors and works well with all catalyst types.
Similar Post: Discover All-New Toyota 4Runner Redesign Review: Price, Specs, And Trims
You can also see the time extension between the tune-ups, so it is high time you consider such a useful & one of the best catalytic converter cleaners for your car.
7. Hi-Gear Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Quantity: 16 Ounces
- Cleans fuel system, injectors, combustion chamber, pistons, and valves
- Restores lost horsepower and increase fuel efficiency
- Prevents rotten egg smell
- Reduces toxic gases and CO2 emissions
- Removes carbon deposits
The Hi-Geat catalytic converter cleaner not only works in removing the carbon deposits from your vehicle’s cat converter but also helps in restoring its fuel system.
This cleaner helps in cleaning not only your automobile’s fuel system but also the injectors, combustion chamber, pistons, and valves.
This among the best catalytic converter cleaner can help you retain the lost horsepower of your ride and enhance its fuel efficiency. You can now say goodbye to all those foul smells.
Furthermore, this product can reduce toxic gases & carbon dioxide emissions, making your vehicle eco-friendly.
8. Sledgehammer Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Quantity: 13 Pounds
- Removes Deposits From Valves, Injectors & Combustion Chambers
- Specially Designed Solutions To Remove Excess Carbon & Soot
- Normally Only Available For Professional Use But Now We Are Making It Available to Public
- Rapid Induction Deposit Cleaner Slowly Released Solution Preventing Damage
This catalytic converter cleaner can easily remove the deposits from the valves, injectors, and combustion chambers of your engine. The product is exclusively designed to remove that extra carbon & soot to give your cat converter a new life.
Popular For You: Best Compact SUVs With Heated Steering Wheels For A Great Ride
Earlier, the product was only available for professional use. However, now it is available for the public as well.
It is one of the best certified and economical ways for you to take care of your engine’s well-being.
Top FAQs About Best Catalytic Converter Cleaner 2023
What is the best boost-up catalytic converter cleaner?
If you are looking for one of the best boost up catalytic converter cleaners, then the one commercialized under the brand Mnbv is a good choice.
The catalytic converter of this company deeply cleans the converter without any need to remove it. It is highly economical as it effectively boosts engine performance by removing all the dust, debris, and other contaminations.
This product helps in deep cleaning of the fuel injection system thus, giving you better engine performance.
Is lacquer thinner catalytic converter cleaner a good choice?
Lacquer thinner catalytic converter cleaner is like those products that have no good effects but at the same time do not produce any harm.
In comparison to the products that are listed in this article, the lacquer cat converter cleaner stands no chance. It does not clean the converter well, and there will be no enhancement in your engine performance.
What is the best catalytic converter cleaner?
The best catalytic converter cleaner is the product that not only removes the debris & deposits from the converter but also enhances the performance of your engine.
Here we have a list of the eight best catalytic converter cleaners 2023 that you can buy without any second thought:
- Cataclean Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Dura Lube Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Oxicat Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Seafoam Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- CRC Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Solder-It Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Hi-Gear Catalytic Converter Cleaner
- Sledgehammer Catalytic Converter Cleaner
How to use Cataclean catalytic converter cleaner?
You can use the Cataclean catalytic converter cleaner in just four easy steps. People often think that to have the cat converter fixed they need a professional hand which is not true until it is completed busted.
Check out the steps mentioned below to help you use your product better.
- Pour the contents of the Cataclean catalytic converter cleaner into the full tank of gas.
- Drive your car until the tank is almost empty. This step is necessary to ensure that the gas mixed with the product has been used.
- Again refill your gas tank, and you can see the difference in the smoke coming out of the tailpipe.
- Pass on that emission test easily.
Do catalytic converter cleaners work?
Well, the answer depends on the condition of your catalytic converter. If your cat converter is not extremely damaged or your car is still new, then using such cleaning products will go a long way in keeping your engine parts healthy.
However, if you are using it in an almost bust-out ride, it sure can give good results but can not ensure the safety of the cat converter. You will have to get rid of the busted one sooner or later.
Can I clean my clogged catalytic converter?
The answer is yes. There is no one stopping you from cleaning your clogged catalytic converter. However, it is a crucial part of your vehicle, and generally, makers recommend using professional help if you need it to be removed or replaced.
Conclusion
Using the best catalytic converter cleaners is one of the efficient and fastest ways to get your engine rid of all that carbon deposit that is making your ride emit harmful gases.
The listed products on this list are not only pocket-friendly but extremely effective in doing their job. Choose the one that suits your vehicle well.