So I used it on my 2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 a few hrs ago. Poured it at 1/4 tank of gas then drove at least 14-17 miles as instructed. Refueled and drove back. Stopped by to get something to eat and an HR later I turned my car on and the check engine light didn't come on anymore. 😁
I used it like the instructions said. I ended up having to replace. Half of my exhaust system. That quick fix in a bottle. Might get you by for a short time. Better off fixing the actual problem. 30bucs well wasted.
I tried this on my 2010 camaro,was very skeptical and didn't really feel like wasting almost $30 on a product that had very mixed reviews,anyways still went ahead and bought it,followed the instructions and didn't feel that much of a difference at first so I figured hey I just lost $30 lol The next day I'm driving just minding my business and boom the check engine light turned off 😳 I couldn't believe that this product actually worked,I'm definitely going to start using every 6 months
I'm about 99.9% sure that check engine lights do not turn off by themselves, even if the problem is fixed. You might want to make sure that the light itself is still working.
@@shamancredible8632 Codes will clear themselves when the problem is rectified. It may take awhile though. It could take anywhere from 3 to 30 engine start stop cycles. But yes the computer will clear itself eventually.
@@shamancredible8632 they automatically turn of if the issue was resolved, The computer is set to read all codes every trip or other trip. I’ve been in cars that need 5-10 trips to read all codes. Once the codes read again and it sees no issues then it will reset. If the lights on during the reset then the light will shut off. Indicating that it’s fix or all codes are ready fine
My fleet is all high mileage vehicles and I now use this actually every year after it cleared a p420 code from my sons Ridgeline. We also notice a slight bump up in fuel economy for a while after use.
i just used this stuff last night and it worked amazingly!! my 2015 ford focus came up with a P0420 code, so i went and bought the cata cleaner from my autozone and my check engine light was gone when i woke up the next morning. The best part about everything, is that because I have a capless gas tank, my first attempt using this resulted in half the bottle spilling out onto the ground, yet the product still worked for me. Although, since I wasted half a bottle, I will be going back to the store to do another half treatment. However, it doesn’t seem entirely necessary because it worked that great the first time!! (Note: if you also have a capless gas tank, you might find the buttons to release the opening on either side of the hole. i used a screwdriver to push them in, and then had a funnel ready to hold the hole open and pour the product straight in)
I had PO422 and PO432. I has to used 2 bottles for it work, but the codes cleared and I save $2500 with have to replace the catalytic converters. Definitely worth trying before replacing the cats.
It works if u have some crap like coolant or some build up. I had a cat code on my Range Rover, I put this stuff in it after making sure there were no leaks in the exhaust, no 02 sensor codes and the code never came back. It's good to use this twice a year on your car.
Correct. It will clean up contamination on the cat or O2 sensors if the source of that contamination is addressed. I had antifreeze contamination from a small leak in the head gasket. Once that was fixed, the code would not clear off since antifreeze had coated the components. This will clean off residue and clear the CEL.
I just tried this on my 2005 Toyota Corolla a few days ago. My check engine light came on with the code P0420. I found this video and figured I'd give it a try. I poured it in, I had just under a quarter tank. I drove for about 16-17 miles, stopped at a gas station and got gas. When I turned the car back on, the check engine light was off already. It worked so fast, I can't tell you how surprised I was. Still am 🤣 I also feel like I might have better gas mileage than before. The needle doesn't seem to be dropping as fast as it used to 😅
@@CarlosGarcia-tv4rk I guess at some point they did. Apparently straight piping a cat-less car will make it sound like a normal car. I didn't pick up on the CEL light until I had already bought it. Shady seller. Who knew?
Is good I used this Friday night as described on the bottle. Drive about 45 miles more after wards, this midnight my check engine is gone. You will need a few more miles of driving after you followed the directions on the bottle. Thanks Sir, thanks everyone sharing on cataclean!
it worked. i poured the whole bottle with 1/4 of a gas tank left. drove 20 miles then pumped a full tank of gas. engine light cleared after 40miles. bottles says to use 2-4 times a year. This is the first time my car has gotten this p0420 code and bottle does state this is dependent on the condition of car and driving habits. So im thinking this will work if the catalytic converter is just starting to fail.
I used a blend of seafoam high mileage, seafoam injector cleaner and did 2 bottles of cata clean to 9 gal of gas in my 08 mazda.. p0420 and p0421 gone passed CA smog.. i cleared the codes and waited for all the sensors to be ready ... been driving for a week still no codes 🎉🎉🎉
@@jwat3217 it stayed off for 3 weeks and came back on.. but there is a difference when I clear the check engine light it stays off much longer now and allows me to pass smog.. im gonna need a catalytic converter eventually but the car runs great and don't stink or nothing so ima see if it'll pass in 18 months..
I used the Dura Lube, as one bottle treats 16 gallons of fuel. It worked. I did not try Caraclean as I have to keep watching my fuel gauge, and have to travel close to gas station.
Used it, followed the instructions, then drove for one or two more cycles and the code reset on its own, passed emissions the next day. I thought it worked permanently, but P-0420 code came literally later that day. Drove approximately 30 miles before the code came back. I have a Honda pilot with eco mode which burns oil like crazy. Technically it worked but didn’t last too long.
@@MountainManMo I changed the PCV valve too. the only time it helps is when I clean or change the bank 1 spark plugs. I bought it used in 2019, first yr was fine, then started getting MIL for spark plugs, then the dreaded P0420 about 18 month of ownership. I even tried a bypass for eco-mode which worked for about 3500 miles. Last ditch is to change valve and spark plug covers, but really wonder if it's when eco mode kicks in...no longer get a MIL for spark plugs, just emissions. It's a 4x4 so it's a pain to access O2 sensors...
I've used this on an '05 Cadillac Deville, and I was skeptical. It actually worked. I used it on a low fuel tank and dove the crap out of it. The light never came back, and eventually, I sold the car. I don't think it's complete snake oil it does seem to have some benefits. It's all relevant, though. With that code, it could be numerous things.
It works around 60-80% of the time after around 100-200 miles and only for a few weeks to a couple months when the light first comes on. It works less often if the light has been on for a while as in my case now after three years of avoiding changing the catalytic converter for inspections and only for a couple of weeks at this point.
Used it twice in my 2000 Subaru, followed directions. It did not solve the PO 420 issue. No other codes. Car still runs great. I feel I wasted over $50.
I thought this stuff was going to be the definition of snake oil when i first tried it. I followed the instructions cleared the code before putting it in my tank. Drove for about an hour and Out of nowhere my engine light dissapeared. even felt a slight sputter in my fuel system when it happened was kind of weird but saved me $1,200. My last test the Cataclean did not work right away but i used Octane Boost after as well as some Marvel Mystery Oil and after a few days my system was Clean. My Cat was changed 6 years ago may be an 02 sensor or on the way out but again i would try this and from experience other additives are helpful as well.
Sizorhandz, You said you cleared the code (which would have turned off the light), then as you were driving, the light turned off. Care to edit your comment?
Because once you clear code and stsrt the engine the code generally comes back on if problem still exists.. so it was cleared he drove and it came back on as it did here and thrn as he was driving it cleared because product worked..@@1wadesdad
This is awesome. I'm going to try this as well. Have a car that hasn't been driven in 16 months due to an accident and now I have check engine light with the same code. Saw a video from Scotty to use Lacquer Thinner, but I'm not comfortable with that. Will update you
If you try this and it works just understand that all you did was buy yourself some time. You aren’t actually “fixing” anything by doing this. Also know that if your motor has a lot of carbon buildup then using this could potentially make the clog worse. This definitely can help and I’ve seen it myself, but it’s short term. Your cat became clogged for a reason, so you need to figure out what caused that. But depending on your situation a bottle of this every six months might be preferable to replacing the cat.
I fully agree that this is a temporary solution at best and the root cause will still need to be fixed. I use it to help pass inspection / emissions. My issue is that the low tension piston rings allow a lot of oil to burn in the engine. I burn through a quart of oil every 1,000-1,500 miles or so which is fouling the catalytic converter. Replacing the PCV valve helped reduce the amount of oil consumption but it still burns more oil than I would have expected.
Have a 2007 M35x infinity with 200,000 miles that showed that code. Mechanic told me it was an $1800 repair to replace converter. Used Cataclean. That was 3,000+ miles ago, and check engine light has remained off!
Even if you had to use it once or twice a year to keep it clean that beats paying $1800 to replace the cat conv. If you used it twice a year that would be $600 over a ten year period. Sounds good to me.
speaking from experience, cataclean can work depending on the issue you have in your car. fix all the issues thats causing the P0420 first or it will not work. use it as the last step. sometimes you need multiple 15mins. sometimes you need to use more than a bottle. if the cat has been dead for a while it may not get fixed. but if its the first time you got the code then it most likely will work. after you fixed the underlying issue.
I have mine gives the code for more then 3 months but everything else has been taken care of. Plus every and each time I use that cleaner the light goes away for a day or two then it comes back on. Do you think I have to use it again? Any suggestions?
@@hamzababli678 a catalytic is not just a air cleaner, its also a O2 storage device. what the ECU measures is not just the changing of the O2 sensor voltage but also the time it takes to change from the first O2 to the 2nd O2. if you can remove the code by running the cleaner then you are at the borderline of its lowest limits. at this point it will be sensitive to the kind of oil and the kind of gas you use. if your car is burning oil, then it will further deteriorate the catalytic. cleaning with the cleaner is just keeping things at bay. so i suspect there is still some issue you have to fix. all this assumes you still have original OEM catalytic. aftermarket catalytic are not as good as OEM. in my case, the engines has been burning oil for more than 100k mi. i took care of that with piston ring replacement, and even tho my cars are at the borderline, the code hasn't come back yet. i have 4 cars like this. good luck! oh i forgot to mention. a generic code reader will not show you the O2 storage reading. you need a OEM software to do that.
OMG!!!the placebo affect strikes again!!!! Love to read these miracle stories about these over priced gimmick in a bottle testimony. Great for a laugh!!!!!!!!!
I don't have a code on my maxima 11 but the exhaust seems louder than others and there is a bit of loss of power.. I'm planning on first cleaning the throttle body, changing the sparks, changing PCV and hoses, and then finally I will use this.. trying to renew the car completely. The cars driven about a 170k miles.
2007 subie, 123,000 mi. Followed instructions, cleared codes twice on a 500 mi trip, codes came back but when I refilled the tank and drove 20 more miles, code cleared itself and stayed off.
Sometimes it will fix your P0420 catalytic converter below efficiency CEL.. but an extender in the farthest downstream O2 bung will always make that light go away. If your parts store doesn't have them or won't volunteer the information you can always ask for a spark plug non fouler and then drill it out to fit your O2 sensor. Usually a 1/2" drill bit.. just make sure you stay out of the internal threads with your bit. And then remove the old downstream sensor and install this and then install your sensor in this. You're adding oxygen. Your upstream sensor provides fuel trim but your downstream just tests how effective the catalyst is. So this morning when I seen the CEL I pulled out my tester, plugged in, and found catalyst below efficiency. So eventually I'll replace the cat with a universal at an exhaust shop.. some people straight pipe them... but the cat is actually part of your quiet exhaust. So I probably wouldn't go for it. My truck is loud enough like it is with a glass pack. I'll spend those pennies on a governor transducer and solenoid and dual solenoid TCC and OD while I have the pan off..I guess readjust the bands or take it to my favorite transmission shop (they actually fix and not just replace!)..I just need a 60 deg day. Until then I will just drive it gently. So anyway if you try cataclean follow the instructions! Don't just add it like a treatment on a full tank. Some people will drop their exhaust and soak in soap and water or lacquer thinner... this and that..I wouldn't.. that's pretty labor intensive and sometimes that method doesn't work either. Oh...it sometimes will also fix P0430... that's bank 2 if you have a bank 2.
If this is found it would fail emissions in most states and is considered illegal in several states. They do prevent the code from being displaced and may result in worse fuel economy. If the catalytic converter becomes very fouled it will make the car sluggish and difficult to accelerate as the engine exhaust will become restricted in the catalytic converter.
I tried the extender on my '17 Chevy Z71, after replacing the cats and all o2' s, plugs and wires... Still got the light, with po430 coming back. Injectors are good, clean and physically flow equally, compression is within 2lbs across all 8 holes.... Traced Os wiring and checked ohms, ect on each 02...I'm gonna try cataclean and if that doesn't work, I'm pulling it off the road and making a race truck with a blown big block!!!
@@johnobrien6052 You probably used the straight extender instead of the 90⁰ one. I had the exact same problem as you, switched to a 90⁰ extender (anti-fouler). That was 6 years ago, and the code never came back.
I had the catalyst efficiency code appear on my 2010 FX35 with 190k miles. Cleared the code. Used Cataclean per instructions. 500 miles later and the code has not reappeared. :-)
Tried this on 2008 gmc canyon with 1/4 tank full. Drove it for about 15 mins and then did seafoam in air intake. Check engine light with PO code is gone! Saved 2,600.00 which was estimate for new cat and oxygen sensors.
Thank you for sharing. Make sure to correct the issue fouling it such as unburnt fuel or excessive oil burning to avoid the code coming back. (stuck PCV valve, old spark plugs, bad coil pack, miss fire, etc.)
I poured a bottle in my 05 Ford Focus after having cat not ready yellow light on code reader drove the car 130 miles green light popped on code reader. Should be good to go. After my mechanic told me I needed to spend $1800. I don't think so.
Still got a CEL but I can definitely feel the difference while driving, my ODB is now showing 8 monitors ready instead of just 6 or 7 before CATACLEAN, gonna run another bottle on the way to work tomorrow and hope for the best 🤞
I used this product for the first time today it didn't clear the code but I can definitely tell the difference in the performance of my vehicle I'm going to try a second bottle in the near future and see if that takes care of the code I know my vehicle is running a lot better better gas mileage is a plus
If the cat is in bad shape it will never work and needs to be replaced. It will work with cats in good condition and not driven with codes for long periods..
Can I put a gallon of lacquer thinner and just go to my work 26 miles, then come back home for a week to keep clean? Or is better to remove the sensor and spray inside the catalytic converter with throttle body cleaner and leave it to seat there for 24 hours, then run at high speed?
I just bought a 2010 Accord ex-l 2.4. During the test drive there was no check engine lights, of course Now there is, the owner stated it had the same gas in the tank for perhaps 6 months, could old/bad gas cause p0420?
I just used CRC Guaranteed To Pass Fuel System Cleaner 12oz And clean my exhaust and code gone it clear the code on its on and im sold on this stuff it works i used this brand on 14 bucks this stuff works
Most of the fuel and catalytic cleaners will work to clean out some amount of build up. I have used at least 4 different products with varying levels of success.
I tried it none work even lacquer one gallon so I'm trying a spark plug fouler drill out center so o2 sensor will fit then remove o2 sensor install fouler then o2 sensor this has been first this happened and it's f...king driving me nuts in 2025 tecas no longer doing emissions testing thank god
p0420 is a permanent code and you can't technically erase it but you can make the light go off. Most new cars have to drive about 250 miles and have 40 cold starts to get up to operating temp before the code will go away. Just a warning. You can also take the cat off an clean it out and it can work. The mesh filters can get clogged up with garbage.
@@Muffinshaker the code comes back after the computer ECU resets in about 100 miles. In Ca they will hook up a scan tool and it will show the ECU is not reset and you will not pass smog. Not that simple as disconnecting the battery
2:36 It's not a certain number of miles. In Toyota is a check, if the o2-sensor #2 (downstream, monitor sond) delivers more than 0.7 V, when the coolant reaches 83 °C or 181.4 °F. Look in the freeze frame - the coolant temperature is always the same. The question is: how to trick/influence/enhance the system to deliver more than 0.7 V at this point.
I have used this product several times on a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2.0L.It would clear the check engine light for a time but it would come back on. I decided to remove the cat and be done with it.
Your converter doesn’t loose efficiency because of mileage. You could have exhaust leaks that have o2 sensor thinking the converter isn’t scrubbing the exhaust gasses or you could have an engine that’s fuel trims are out of control causing fuel contamination or overheating the converter because of a lean condition. Another issue is an engine that consumes coolant or oil putting a jacket of contamination on the converter media. Then a product like cataclean helps to clean the media so the chemical reaction can happen
It did for me. My car has a brand new sticker good for the next 2 years! If the honeycomb inside the CAT is broken then this will not help. If it's clogged from a blown head gasket for example it will likely work. In the old days of carburetors, spraying a can of carb cleaner into the carb while holding a high rev would do the same thing for the CAT but it smelled like rotten eggs and smoked like crazy!!
I bought a 2012 kia soul 1.6 with 160,000 miles on from Facebook marketplace. The seller cleared the check engine light but did tell me the check engine light comes on sometimes and didn't look into it. More than likely he did find out and put the car for sale. Before buying the kia soul, I test drove it for 30 minutes and nothing. Drove 2 hours to pick up the car. I went to valvoline instan oil change for them to look at the car and make sure everything was fine. No leaks or nothing broken under the car. So they said, car was in good condition so I bought the car, paid cash, 3,000 cash. It has AC, transmission shifts okay, no burning oil, car seems to be in good shape. But when I got home and had to move the car, the check engine light came on. Went to autozone to check the code. It was the catalytic converter. I added Cataclean twice and the check engine light still returns. My guess is the seller drove it too long with the catalytic converter clogged up that it is too late to clean it using cataclean. I'm going to replace the catalytic converter tomorrow but will keep the old one to see how bad it is and see if I can clean it. The kia soul is GDI engine, (Gets destroyed immediately) if driven with the check engine light. A new catalytic converter from kia is 1,790 dollars plus 3 hour installation, taxes and fees so close to 3,000 dollars. But like I said, I've tried to run cataclean twice and didn't work so I will get an aftermarket catalytic converter installed tomorrow but will keep the old one for inspection and possibly clean it as good as new as long as I'm able to desolve or breakdown all the carbon built up inside the honeycomb. The honeycomb is made put of titanium metal, but an aftermarket is made out of cheaper metal, more like chicken wire metal that's why they're cheaper. The only way to find out why the catalytic converter failed is by removing and doing a visual inspection. I don't notice anything else wrong with the car, no coolant leak, no white smoke, no black smoke, it drives okay but I do notice fuel economy is not so good, it is not that great so I believe engint is running rich. So for my case, it is too late to use this product and need to see what in what state my my catalytic converter is. That's why the car was for sale and only 3,000. The seller didn't tell me because it would be 2,000 dollars and I would probably not buy it. The seller was just lucky the check engine light didn't come on. Thanks for sharing this video
I tried this on a 03 Bravada. I thought I didn't follow the instructions correctly so I tried it a second time. I know I can't get it wrong twice. If the cat is bad, cleaning it won't help or at least it didn't help in my case. Just ended up replacing the cat instead of dumping money into a cleaner that's going to be hit or miss
It is a temporary fix to pass emissions and / or get some engine power back and buy some time. Even if you replace the Cat you will want to fix the real issue causing the failure and fouling up the O2 and Cat. I have seen a lot of cars consuming / burning oil due to carbon build up/low tension piston rings/stuck PCV valves or just incomplete combustion with dirty fuel injectors old spark plugs etc. Most manufactures recommend some fuel cleaning additive a couple of times per year such as Techron ( amzn.to/3Yl3orA ) or similar products. The PCV valve is quick and inexpensive to replace yourself how to replace a PCV valve video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LRzw2qdnh0E.html
Tried on my 2009 Honda Pilot and the same code came back after 3 months. IMO this product doesn't fix the issue - it just masks it. If you Cat Converter is running low on the metals used to treat the exhaust, there is no liquid additive that will "fix" that.
Bought the cata clean used it on my 2015 rogue select, followed all the instructions and still had the signal…looks like I’ll have to rob a bank to fix it lol
I realize the instructions say to drive 10 to 15 miles and then fill tank but is there a product performance issue if you drive 20 to 30 miles and then fill the tank?
If there was oil in the spark plug well and the spark plugs where changed would the oil that was there cause a P0420 code? That is what the scanner shows but I am not sure if the oil was the culprit.
I agree this will not work for everyone. This is only a temporary solution and will eventually need a new catalytic converter. I use this every 6 to 12 months or when the code comes back. This Kia Rio burns oil and has carbon build up in the engine that I think is causing the issue with the catalytic converter fouling as I had replaced the first catalytic converter around 70,000 miles and figured to give cataclean a try and it has worked so far (2 years) for this case.
Good grief !! If you are a so called auto tech you should know better that crap in a bottle does not repair anything!!! This stuff is marketed for idiot's!!!!!!
I know I tried this on my 2005 Honda Accord 2.4, I got 3 codes, one was for a MAF sensor, IAC, and after I fixed those I had the catalytic converter code. I used this product, drove with a quarter tank, then filled it up. The light came back on, but honestly I think my catalytic converter actually has an issue as my car makes a noise when I accelerate. As if the current cat has been gutted. Either way I just ordered a new one and a new O2 sensor. I’d much rather have my vehicle be silent than going with a straight pipe (I live in Florida). So hopefully others have better luck.
I use COSTCO GAS and the catalytic converter issue light on my dashboard went away, That was after I had driven at 80 mph for around 45 minutes on an expressway. It came back after about 2 weeks and when I refilled my gas tank and drove around at regular speeds it went away again. I used to use only Shell gas until I found out that they put their cleaning additives only in their premium gas. Costco gas is top tier gas and has cleaning additives.
Do you need to clear the codes? I have heard conflicting stories that adding Cata clean and then driving around can make the check engine light go off and clear the code without having to do it manually. The problem with doing it manually is cars like mine 2002 Toyota forerunner have a very complicated drive cycle and I do not want to have to do that again if the cataclean doesn’t work.
If it works the codes will clear themselves over multiple driving cycles and it may take a 100-200 miles most of the time. You should not need to manually clear the code. Now if it does not work the code would persist past a tank of gas.
Temu sells a very cheap car code computer. Got my daughter one for xmas. Was like 10 dollars. Has the ability to cleart the codes by plugging it in an pressing a button. GL
Yes, this is a temporary solution which I generally use to pass inspection and will reuse in a few months similar to what you have found. Also check your PCV valve as that can lead to higher oil consumption which fouls the catalytic converter.
I wanna try, but I got acurca tl 06. It's all Honda. People always say if it's Honda fluids, only use that. I wanna try this but scared cause I don't wanna damage anything. Any advice? 🤔
As long as there is no physical damage to the cat it is worth a try. I do it before emissions testing and it has passed for the last 4 years. My engine burns oil and causes the problem so this is a temporary solution and the root cause needs to be fixed to stop the codes from coming back over time.
It works around 60-80% of the time after around 100-200 miles and only for a few weeks to a couple months when the light first comes on. It works less often if the light has been on for a while as in my case now after three years of avoiding changing the catalytic converter for inspections and only for a couple of weeks at this point.
That stuff is like octane boost, it burned up my plugs, and eventually cut my cat off and ran a straight pipe, you can do that in states with no inspection, now it runs great, with new plugs that is.
Snake oil. Didn't work for me 2018 3.5 EcoBoost Ford Transit. On top of that the stupid bottle hung up in my fuel filter neck. I had to yank it hard to get it out almost destroying the flaps. The transit has a capless fuel filler
This is usually a last ditch effort before I change out a catalytic converter. It helps to pass emissions and get the light off for a few weeks or so and then unless the cause is fixed it will come back on eventually.
Will cataclean work if the cat is clogged?? My ford explorer is sputtering because I was told the cat was clogged an isn't breathing correctly,will the cataclean clear the clogged cat?
The light will go off on its own if it works. I have used this a few times and the light goes off around 100 - 150 miles of driving over a couple of days. This will be a temporary solution that may work for a few months and then be needed again. My piston rings and PCV vale are likely causes of extra oil burning which causes the O2 sensors and Catalytic converter to become fouled. I just changed out the PCV valve and will need to change out the low tension piston rings to stop the carbon build up otherwise this will just keep happening. I am attempting to get another year or two out of the car before buying a new one.
Hi , Please advice other cheap and best options as the catalytic converters is very costly The catalytic converter liquid is NOT working KIA 2015 Sorento 2.4L Steps done still the error came back 1.Cleaned the catalytic convert by soakings for 1-2 hrs. 2. Replaced both sensors with new ones. Note: Error gone next day ran few miles Error popes up went to auto zone checked found the same error again 3. Purchased the Catalytic converter liquid and drove for 15 mins-20 mins front and back all to gathers 30mins still the same error.
There are several causes to the P0420 code that lead to the catalytic system efficiency to drop below the threshold value. The catalytic converter could physically be damaged in which case no cleaner will help. If the catalytic converter is not physically damaged and just fouled then a cleaner may be able to help remove the code for a temporary period unless the cause is fixed. The PCV valve may be stuck leading to more oil being burned and then fouling the catalytic converter. The fuel injectors may be partially clogged or old spark plugs or the coil packs could lead to the fuel not being fully burned and add fouling to the catalytic converter. A common issue with newer cars is that they use low tension piston rings to increase miles per gallon, but end up causing more oil to burn and foul catalytic converters. One or both oxygen sensors may be bad and lead to the same code. There are a bunch a reasons that the code can come up for. I would suggest using a fuel system cleaner like Techron, Cataclean, Lucas Oil, etc. they will do a similar job to help clean the fuel injectors and potentially remove the code for a short period of time, but will take 100-150 miles of highway driving to clear the code if they work. I see it working around 75% of the time.
had this same code on my 2015 kia soul, followed the same steps but my vehicle is jerking still when i go up a hill or when i press the gas after being at a stop. what should i do next?
If the code went away then there should not be a major restriction in exhaust flow. I had my car jerking for other issues including old spark plugs (5+ years) and a bad misfiring cylinder from an intermittent failing coil pack and did not realize until a second coil pack completely died which then required me to keep my foot on the gas to prevent the car from stalling when stopped. It is hard to diagnosis the issue with so few details. I would think through the fire triangle: Fuel, Ignition/spark, and Oxygen / Air. Do you have a clogged fuel filter, fuel injectors, etc. Do you have good spark plugs, coil packs, wires, battery, alternator, etc. Do you have good air flow through a
I use it about 200 miles before my inspection which is 2-3 days and I clear the code about 30 miles before inspection if it does not go off on it's own. I have passed inspection for the last 4 years. The code will come back in a few weeks to months depending on how fouled the Catalytic converter is and if the car still burns oil.
Did NOT work at all on a 2006 Lexus RX330. I used Two bottles with 1/4 tank of gas, as instructed. I ran the Lexus up-to 90 mph...for several miles, as well as over 20 minutes on TOP of that. Check engine came back on both times on same day. My exhaust pro, ran a camera inside of my converters and said the converter looked fine. No loose honeycomb inside rattling..or loss of power. This 2006 Lexus has 5 oxygen sensors. My next step is to change both Bank #1 and Bank #2 Oxygen sensors. Ugh!!
Yes, but it requires someone to remove the catalytic converter and soak it in soapy water over night, dry it, then re install it. It takes a bit of work and risks a bolt breaking off. There are also after market catalytic converters that cost around $150 or OEM around $400-$800 plus any labor.
