Best Catalytic Converter Cleaner (Review) – Top Picks & Buyer Guide
Some might say, ignorance is bliss. I strongly disagree.
Let me ask you something, what do you usually do when you see your check engine light is on?
While you may ignore this sign and take the car for another drive on the highway, I would suggest taking a closer look at your engine.
A service engine light with a P0420 error code means the catalytic convertor of your car is going down. If you don’t clean the converter immediately, it will keep clogging up the exhaust and end up destroying your engine altogether. You can get the solution here.
The best catalytic converter cleaner helps to maintain a healthier atmosphere inside your car’s engine. While your car may not be able to thank you verbally for this thoughtful gesture, I assure you, you will get your rewards with a sudden increase in power and efficiency.
Best Catalytic Converter Cleaner in 2020
A catalytic converter cleaner will save you from several unpleasant situations. That awful rotten egg smell coming from your exhaust is an alarming sign of a non-efficient fuel system. Cleaning the cat converter of your vehicle will get rid of any nasty smell that may exist as well as improve its performance.
Depending on what type of car you drive and what suits your engine the most, you can choose from a wide range of cleaners that are available on the market. Stay with us to the end of this article to get all the information you need before purchasing one for your vehicle.
Top Catalytic Converter Cleaner Comparison Chart
Our 10 Picks For The Best Cleaner For Catalytic Converter
1. LUCAS LUC10013 | Best Gasoline Engine Catalytic Converter Cleaner
Whether you drive a diesel or gasoline-powered engine, LUCAS Fuel Treatment doesn’t discriminate and cleans them all!
It’s hard to swim against the tide, but that didn’t stop this brand from trying its best to keep its solution as eco-friendly as possible.
To clean out the fuel system of your car, it uses a combination of oils and some other additional components. Just like how a detergent cleans up dirt, the solution washes away all the buildup grimes instantly.
Sulfur, which is a common compound in the fuel system, reacts with oxygen and produces sulfur oxides. LUCAS shows its support for an eco-friendly environment by reducing and neutralizing all harmful effects in the low sulfur fuel system and thus, eliminating any negative emissions.
You might notice a sudden increase in horsepower in your brand-new engine thanks to the product’s ability to burn any extra fuel discharge. Depending on your driving habit, the gas mileage of your car will also increase up to 2 mpg.
To maintain a smooth performance, it’s recommended to use 3 ounces of this solution for every 10 gallons of fuel.
- It helps clean the fuel injector system.
- The gas mileage and efficiency of the engine improve instantly.
- It eliminates the harmful effect of low sulfur fuel problems.
- Old engines get their power renewed with this fuel treatment.
- It works well with both diesel and gasoline engines.
- It is hard to pour the right amount from such a large container.
Bottom Line
As the solution is pretty mild, it won’t harm your engine if you go over the recommended limit. You can also buy a measuring cup from a dollar store to make things easier for you.
2. Cataclean 120007 | Best Catalytic Converter Cleaner For Decreasing Emission
Here’s an interesting science fact.
Carbon and hydrogen, which are two main components of an automobile’s fuel system, bond together to create a compound named Hydrocarbon. Now, this element is the main culprit behind a lot of serious diseases including cancer, respiratory issues, bronchitis, seizures etc.
As much as we want to, we can’t eliminate this compound as it is an integral part of every vehicle’s fuel system. What if I tell you there’s a way to cut down the harmful effect of this element by half?
Cataclean brings you an exhaust cleaner that decreases the emission level up to 50-percent! Not only that, it cleans the carbon layer that clogs up your catalytic converter and prevents them from building up in the future.
If you are looking for an all-in-one product that can clean the rest of your engine too, then this product might be right up your alley. It will clean the oxygen sensor, cylinder heads and the fuel injector all at the same time.
- The product is suitable for all diesel, hybrid and gasoline engines.
- It helps clean the whole exhaust instead of just one component.
- The emission of hydrocarbon is reduced by half.
- It prevents carbon from building up in the future.
- It isn’t suitable for any 2-stroke or oil/gas mix engine.
Bottom Line
Before purchasing this product, make sure your engine falls under the right category. Use this cleaner once every 3 months to keep your car in a good shape for a long time.
3. CRC 05063 | Best Catalytic Converter Cleaner For Passing The Smog Test
Whether your car is participating in an upcoming smog test for the first time or retaking the exam for some reason, we know you want to pass it with flying colors!
However, your vehicle needs to be prepared and meet a certain set of rules for that. If, for example, your car produces too much emission, you are most likely to fail the test horribly.
The CRC Guaranteed to Pass Emissions Test Formula will act as your guardian angel in this situation. Not only you will pass the smog inspection with a huge smile on your face, but also it will help restore the power of your old engine.
The formula is mostly suited for gasoline engines and an ethanol-blended fuel system. The product forms a strong chemical reaction with the carbon layer on the surface and cleans the entire fuel system. As a result, you will experience a smoother idle with a fast acceleration speed.
If you want to get the best out of your fuel economy, then apply this formula once after every 3000 miles of usage.
- It helps you to pass the emission test of your vehicle.
- It cleans the entire fuel system at a time.
- The product gives a sudden boost to your engine.
- It gives you a better acceleration speed.
- The check engine light might not turn off even after using this product.
Bottom Line
To turn off your engine’s check light you need to reset the system by disconnecting the battery. Wait for 10 minutes, then connect it again. Follow these steps only after applying the cleaner on your engine and the light won’t come back again hopefully.
4. Sea Foam SF-16-2PK | Best Value For Money Catalytic Converter Cleaner
Does your car seem reluctant to start? Perhaps you may have also noticed how it’s sputtering and losing its power day by day. Instead of running off to a mechanic right away, you can try a thing or two at home to see if it works.
One of the most common problems that can raise these symptoms in your car is a dirty fuel injector. And the only way to solve this issue is to use a top-quality engine cleaner like Sea Foam SF-16 to clean up the clogged injector properly.
In addition to be a suitable choice for gasoline and diesel-powered engine, this product works like a champ for any motor that uses ethanol!
You can even use this cleaner on a lawnmower or a generator if it seems to lag a little bit. Just pour the necessary amount of liquid, let it sit for half an hour and see how it fixes your machine effectively.
The petroleum-based solution is the perfect tool to lube up the car’s cylinder and protect the entire fuel system from getting corroded.
- The formula works great on diesel and gasoline-powered engines.
- It opens up any clogged fuel injector.
- It can be used on other machines like lawnmowers and generators.
- The solution lubricates the entire fuel system.
- It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals.
- It may not improve the engine’s performance to a great extent.
Bottom Line
The product is meant to clean up the gunk inside your exhaust system. If your engine is struggling with throttle issue, then check out the Sea Foam Spray to resolve that problem.
5. Solder-It (CAT-1) | Best Odor Removing Catalytic Converter Cleaner
Perspiration is a natural course of action. When the temperature rises above a certain level, we sweat and then it evaporates into thin air.
You can’t, however, explain this theory to your colleague and get away with that stinky smell forever! A quick fix to this situation is to put on some deodorant or antiperspirant to mask that foul odor.
Solder-It Catalytic Converter Cleaner works in the same way, except it is meant to be used on your car.
When the cat converter of your vehicle gets clogged, it works extra hard to restore its original form. As a result, it overheats and fails to filter the unburnt fuel out of its system. An overpowering strong smell that resembles the flavor of a rotten egg fills up your car and makes you want to throw up.
Solder-It clears the air pretty quickly by unclogging all types of cat converter including the monolithic and pelletized types. It will also give the oxygen sensor a good rinse at the same time.
- It clears the air of any bad odor inside your car.
- The product works great on both monolithic and pelletized converter.
- It keeps the engine in good condition for a long time.
- The 16-ounce bottle is handy for one-time use.
- It cleans the oxygen sensor as a bonus.
- It works only on gasoline engines.
Bottom Line
Make sure to check what type of vehicle you use before purchasing this product. The Solder-It formula is an excellent product to keep your vehicle in the topmost condition.
6. AUTOPROFI OXICAT | Best Catalytic Converter Cleaner For Oxygen Sensor
The name of a product often seems to do half of the talking for itself!
The OXICAT cleaner is a powerful tool for cleaning your catalytic converter as well as the oxygen sensor of your exhaust system. Whether you own a diesel or a hybrid engine, the solution is made to work with both types of vehicles.
If you are wondering why this product gives so much importance to the sensor device, then let me tell you how many ways a bad sensor can ruin your engine.
A dirty sensor is responsible for your car to have poor idle, high level of fuel consumption, hard starting problems and many more! With the OXICAT solution, you can keep this equipment pristine clean and avoid the cost of replacing the whole thing in the future.
One thing that frightens any new driver and even some old ones, is the dreaded emission test.
This powerful converter cleaner is designed to help you with that by cleaning all parts of the exhaust chamber. You can now look forward to taking that test with high hopes as there is no “catalyst system efficiency below threshold” error code anymore!
- It is suitable for gasoline, diesel and hybrid engines.
- The product works on the whole exhaust system.
- It helps pass all the strict regulations for any emission test.
- It prevents dirt from building up with regular use.
- It keeps the oxygen sensor in good condition.
- The amount is too small for certain engines.
Bottom Line
You might need to buy another bottle just in case of any emergency. This premium-quality product is made in Germany with top quality ingredients and technology to provide your car with a better environment and improve its performance.
7. MotorPower Care | Best Fuel Efficient Catalytic Converter Cleaner
Nobody likes to hop on the car and see the check engine light is on!
If the P0420 error has been messing around with your car for a while now, then it’s time you take the matter seriously and invest in a good quality catalytic converter cleaner available on the market.
MotorPower Care has formulated a converter cleaner that aims to clean out all the carbon deposits and debris from exhaust track of your vehicle.
The solution is carefully designed to reduce the harmful effect of toxic gases by keeping your fuel system as clean as possible. Ergo, it gives you a few bonus points for passing the smog test of your engine.
Whereas the other competitors of this product focus on cleaning only the catalytic converter, MotorPower Care offers to do much more.
Along with the converter, it cleans the EGR valve, lambda sensor and turbocharger of your engine. All the hard work pays off by increasing the car’s efficiency and improve the overall performance of your vehicle.
- The product is suitable for diesel, gasoline and hybrid engines.
- It cleans all the dirt from the engine’s exhaust.
- It helps increase fuel efficiency.
- The formula works to restore the power of any old engine.
- It helps you out during the smog test.
- The product might need to be applied multiple times to be effective.
Bottom Line
If your cat converter is clogged too much you might need to reapply this product for a second time. For a quick solution, you can also try the Foam Catalyst Cleaner from the same brand.
8. Hi-Gear HG3270s | Best Catalytic Converter Cleaner For Increasing Horsepower
A thunder only makes noise, whereas, the rain is gifted to us as a blessing and helps all living beings on this planet.
The same theory can be applied in the marketing and branding strategies for different products. They all claim to do amazing works, however, all goes in vain if a product can’t keep the words it promised to do.
Among all of its competitors, Hi-Gear is a little bit different from others and stands out for some obvious reasons.
This simple cleaning product works EXACTLY the way it says it does. No extra bling to impress you in any way! With the help of this solution, you can expect your engine’s fuel and exhaust system to be cleaned of any kind of dirt or debris.
Improving the fuel mileage of your vehicle is a lot easier when the exhaust system isn’t filled with gunk or worse, completely blocked.
Hi-Gear helps your engine gain more horsepower and increases its acceleration speed by cleaning out the combustion chamber, pistons, valves and the fuel injector, all at the same time.
Although this isn’t an OEM product, it provides you with similar experience within an affordable budget.
- It cleans all the key parts of the engine’s exhaust.
- The product is known to perform like an OEM formula.
- It reduces the harmful effect of toxic gases.
- It helps any old engine to regain its lost power.
- The product works only on the gasoline engine.
Bottom Line
It’s hard to get a reliable product like this one within a reasonable price nowadays. So, if you drive a gasoline-powered engine, this item is worth taking a look at while you shop for a suitable product to clean up the cat converter of your engine.
9. Sledgehammer | Best Professional Catalytic Converter Cleaner
We always ask help from a professional person whenever we fall into any kind of trouble. Why? Cause, an expert is more than capable of handling it better than any ordinary person.
Meet Sledgehammer, the most heavy-duty cat converter cleaner which is typically used for professional applications. That means this product will clean your exhaust system like a pro and pave the path for a smoother operation.
The product’s manufacturer Mac Auto Parts, gives you an intensive cleaning kit, which includes 2 bottles of solutions.
The first bottle consists of Sledgehammer Fuel System Ultra Treatment. To clean the exhaust, first, pour the entire bottle in half a tank of gasoline. Then, start your engine and keep it in idle mode.
The second bottle contains the R.I.D. (Rapid Induction Deposit Cleaner). Take this product and simply connect it to a vacuum line in the engine compartment of your vehicle.
The combined action of these two formulas is so strong that the entire fuel system will be freed from any soot or carbon deposit that may have ever existed! The solutions work hard to clean every corner of the exhaust system including valves, oxygen sensors, fuel injectors and not to mention, the cat converter!
- The formula is suitable for any personal and professional applications.
- It is a multipack cleaning kit, which contains 2 solutions.
- It cleans the oxygen sensor, valves and pistons of the exhaust.
- The slow-release formula prevents any harm to your engine.
- The R.I.D. might be difficult to handle for a newbie.
Bottom Line
Although a beginner may have a hard time figuring everything out for the first time, after following the step-by-step instruction you will get the hang of it pretty quickly.
10. AUTOPROFI Intensive Cleaning Foam | Catalytic Converter Cleaner For Diesel Engine
A foaming wash is more suitable for certain situations, as it can reach up to places that are hard to get. It also adheres to the object for a long time, resulting in a cleaner surface afterward.
Keeping this advantage in mind, AUTOPROFI brings you a foam wash cleaner designed especially for your catalytic converter. This product will help you clean up any stubborn dirt or residue that seems reluctant to let go by dissolving them in the foam wash.
Do you know what would make things even easier for you? How about a 10-inch long hose that allows you to spray exactly where you want with a mighty force? Well, now you have your wish granted as this product gives you that opportunity!
Depending on whether you own a diesel vehicle or a petrol engine, you need to spray the solution into the DPF or the cat converter with the help of its flexible hose.
Then, take the car for a 20-minute ride and let the solution do its magic! The engine will reward you with a performance gain on your next drive.
- It can be sprayed onto the application with a hose.
- The foam material dissolves all the dirt and grimes easily.
- The product is suitable for both petrol and diesel engines.
- It doesn’t leave any residue and evaporates after cleaning.
- It might take some time to get used to this process.
Bottom Line
As this foam wash procedure is a little bit different than the other ones, you need to handle it more carefully. It is advisable to use this product to clean up the engine each time you perform a routine check on your vehicle.
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Catalytic Converter Cleaner Buying Guide
System Compatibility
Not every product is meant to suit your car’s engine.
You might think of the cleaner as a liquid agent that will solve the problem of your cat converter no matter what type of engine you own. But you couldn’t be more wrong!
Turns out, you have to check whether the product is compatible with your system. Whether you drive a 2-stroke, 4-stroke or a hybrid engine, make sure to check the instructions on the cleaning product to see if it’s the right one for you. You may also find the necessary info on the top of your car’s engine cover.
If you own a gasoline-powered vehicle, then the chances are, most of the available cleaners on the market will be a good fit for you. A diesel or a hybrid engine, on the other hand, may need some extra attention in terms of choosing the right product.
Size
Which one would you want? Apples or Oranges?
No matter what sizes of the container you choose, the quality of the solution remains the same. With that being said, the volume does matter a lot if you want to save some cash on this product. Buying a 1-gallon container is sure going to cost a little less than its other small sizes.
But if you are a minimalist and do not want to measure each time you have to clean the tank, then you are better off with the small 16-ounce bottles. With one-time solution bottles, there is also no need to find a place to store them for future use.
Capacity
Nowadays everyone likes a few add-ons.
Cleaning the catalytic convertor is important. Got it. But what about the surrounding area? It’s not fair to neglect the rest of the exhaust system and focus on only one thing, right?
To help you out in this type of situation, some converter cleaners come with the capability to clean all of the components of your engine’s system. The oxygen sensor of your vehicle will no longer be dirty anymore! Therefore, the car gets a longer lifespan in terms of its engine’s performance.
However, these products are often labeled as premium ones. Meaning, you have to set aside some extra bucks to purchase this product. Depending on your budget and preference, you can try out these all-in-one solutions for a quick cleaning process.
Toxicity
A bottle filled with liquid that cleans the inside of your exhaust as soon as it comes in touch with it is bound to contain chemicals. And I am not going to lie to you. These chemicals need to be handled with caution every time you use it.
But there is a borderline to everything. To detect that line, a product goes under several tests and scrutiny to make sure if they are toxic enough to harm our environment.
So, it’s a good idea to check out some valuable info like whether the product abides by the rules of VOC or how much sulfur it contains etc. before choosing one for your vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When Should I Clean My Catalytic Converter?
- What Happens When A Cat Converter Goes Bad?
- How Should I Use The Catalytic Converter Cleaner?
- Does Catalytic Cleaner Work?
- Is It Safe To Use A Cleaner For A Cat Converter?
- Can I Unclog My Catalytic Converter With A Cleaner?
Answer: The easiest way is to check if the service engine light is on. To confirm whether it’s related to your converter, go through an electronic diagnosis and check with the manual to get info on the error code.
Answer: The emission level of your engine will begin to rise higher. If you continue to run like this, the exhaust system will become completely blocked. In that case, you may have to pay for replacing the whole thing.
Answer: Usually, you just take the container and pour the necessary amount into the fuel tank. Some solutions may require you to connect to the oxygen sensor port, while others may need a flexible hose to operate. Read the manual carefully to get a better idea.
Answer: Of course it does! It’s a powerful formula that helps clean the system by breaking down the carbon deposits in the exhaust. It also helps you to pass the emission test in certain cases.
Answer: The cleaners are formulated in a way not to damage your car in any way. However, depending on whether you own gasoline or a diesel engine, make sure to check if the product is compatible before buying.
Answer: If your catalytic converter is completely clogged, then you have to replace that thing. You can only use this product in case the converter is slightly clogged or merely dirty.
Final Words
Just like I told you at the beginning of this article, ignorance isn’t always a bliss. Rather, an occasional checkup and care go a long way to save things from getting destroyed.
Although we are talking about the catalytic converter of your engine in this article, the same theory applies to all aspects of our life.
The best catalytic converter cleaner will help improve your vehicle’s overall performance as well as reduce the risk of malfunctioning in the future. I hope this article has helped you in choosing the perfect cat converter cleaner for your engine.
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