Car Questions

Notifications
Clear all

Cat clean

  

0
Topic starter
Cat cleaning my 2014 infinity QX80.
Hi Scotty. 
  • Can i still use lacquer thiner in the gas tank  to clean my catalytic converters in my infinity? Many thanks in advance. Kal

6 Answers
3

Posted by: @kal

I know for sure the issue is the converters

ok , but what about the converters? That's like saying "the issue is my heart". Details matter.

If they're worn out then lacquer thinner won't do anything. Especially if you have other issue going on with the engine that are killing your cats. You're just going to kill the new ones.

So please follow the posting instructions and provide the codes, and your odometer reading. Thanks.

 

Posted by: @kal

What is the risk of using Scotty"s advice of lacquer thinner?

who knows, but I've never heard of this actually working.

 

Posted by: @kal

Just thr engine light is on.

as was mentioned, get it scanned. It's free.


@imperator got it. Will do and report back. Many thanks to all.


2

Posted by: @kal

he engine light is on and the codes indicate bothe cat converters are are the issue

What is the specific OBD code you get when connected to your scan tool? Also. Codes are not shopping lists. Rather they tell you a condition exists and you have to troubleshoot. If you don’t have a scan tool. You can go to the discount Auto Parts store. And they will scan it for free. 


This post was modified 12 months ago by fishingandcarsenthusiast123

@fishingandcarsenthusiast123 it is my mechanic who has the scanner and he informed me of the cat converters issue


@fishingandcarsenthusiast123What is the risk of using Scotty"s advice of lacquer thinner??


2

Posted by: @kal

the codes indicate bothe cat converters are are the issue

Unless you give us the codes we can't do much to help. Contrary to popular belief that seems to be held by many people, codes do not tell you what part needs to be replaced. They tell you a condition exists that will usually have multiple possible causes. Your converters might be bad of course but given the high cost it would be worth your while to investigate the other potential causes of the codes. (You can easily find that information with an internet search.)


@chucktobias. I know for sure the issue is the converters. My mechanic scanned it a few weeks ago. but I do t have the codes now.


1

Why do you want to clean your catalytic converters? If they're not throwing codes (the check engine light indicates codes are stored when it's illuminated. The codes can be read with scan tools). The catalytic converters are fine. 


@justin-shepherd thank you. Indeed Yes. The engine light is on and the codes indicate bothe cat converters are are the issue


1

Posted by: @kal

What is the risk of using Scotty"s advice of lacquer thinner?

That advice was given in a video 14 years ago. I don't know if Scotty still recommends doing that or not. The risk would be the possibility of damaging plastic parts in your fuel system. If your catalytic converters are really bad chances are lacquer thinner is not going to help especially if there's a lot of contamination, or if clogged or damaged internally.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GXXT84fsOFk

Catalytic converters don't just go bad or wear out for no reason. Have you been experiencing misfires or oil burning? (The cat on my 28-year-old car with 375K miles is still good.)


@chucktobias. Thanks Chuck. I understand.
No misfiring or oil burning. Just thr engine light is on. Costs $1500 to replace the converters.


1

Posted by: @kal

Indeed Yes. The engine light is on and the codes indicate bothe cat converters are are the issue

As others have said, codes are not a shopping list. Troubleshoot, troubleshoot, troubleshoot, especially with catalytic converters. 

Infiniti is an expensive Nissan. If you're not burning oil, there are no misfires, and you don't hear a racket under the car when you turn  (this indicates the catalyst is physically bad). Something else is causing the car to trip the codes.

Catalytic converters are designed to last the lifetime of the car in question. My 1999 Ranger has almost 300k miles on it, and it's still on the original catalytic converter. 


Share: