Hi,
I watched the video on the use of lacquer thinner to cleaner catalyst converter. My question is can I use any type of lacquer thinner?
I had a friend who was doing this to his minivan. The knock sensor kept going bad costing a thousand dollars to replace every time. He resorted to resetting the failure codes to pass inspection but eventually the check engine light would re light. Then he stopped adding laquer thinner and has not had to change a knock sensor since. You don't know what kind of damage you might be doing.
most people try it once or twice. Was he putting it in his tank every fill??
Every fill he put in a pint of lacquer thinner. Don't know where he got the idea. Was a 2008 Mercury Villager with a V 6
your friend should not be allowed near cars except to drive them
@mrbob back in 1988 I had bought a Honda cm400 and ran it out of gas I owned a Corvette shop called Corvette King and because I didn't care if the bike blew up or not I took it over to my 55 gallon drum of lacquer thinner and filled it up for 2 years that motorcycle ran like a champ on lacquer thinner I sold it running on lacquer thinner I am in the business of buying and selling used motorcycles and I buy them when they won't start needing a carburetor rebuild and I pour straight lacquer thinner into the gas tanks sometimes have to let it sit over 24 hours seven out of 10 times that works if the idle jet is clogged there's no repairing that you buy a new one I have done that in my cars I do not drive brand new late model vehicles so I cannot confirm that it works in those
In order to give you advice that actually works, we need to know the issues/symptoms you are having with your car please. You can also check out the catalytic converter links in the FAQ.
Many people have voiced their opinion on this, but don't do it. Lacquer thinner is corrosive and modern fuel systems are full of rubber and plastic which makes this a bad idea. Try some Cataclean if you want to try cleaning the cat while driving the car.
cataclean is basically strong solvents, just like thinners. (Xylene, Acetone, etc.)
oh and strangely enough ... up to 30% rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
tks Joe. Cataclean's just another solvent, eh. Well it won't fix the underlying problem either.
usually not