Scotty!
I am a new forum member. I have always known your experience and perspective on vehicles to be synonymous with quality and accuracy. However, when I came across your catalytic clean out method, I wasn't sure, but immediately wanted to try it. Here’s what’s up.
** 2011 Ford F150 3.5 Lariat 4X4 RWD 167k. Full tune up was performed in March of this year, with one turbo replacement. My truck is otherwise a dream. I’ve done all the resets i.e throttle body/MAFS cleaning. OBD’s are P0131/P0132.
Symptoms: an aggressive “belt squeal & Hot Engine shake at hwy speeds, complete loss of responsiveness, heavy pedal/turbo activation just to accommodate cruise control, cannot overtake other vehicles safely) Once fully warmed up it has this “nails on a chalkboard/dying pig squeel from hell unaffected by braking, belt clutch usages, or speed/rpms ( It’s only trigger seems to be heat). Squeal and symptoms disappear at a dead stop with audibly regular idle . . After a final - smooth and loud squeal in the last 3-2-1 mph before it halts... with or without brakes.
— At first I thought it was my belts - replaced - fixed noise at first, but not the main problem. 2nd I thought the brakes were sticking because of how it felt on the road when it warmed up, a “dragging something” much lower mpg symptom type of thing. I repaired the brake booster vacuum pump and that seemed to fix the symptoms, it didn’t. I’ve been troubleshooting this seemingly damaging and aggressive noise and impeding turbulence for weeks.. the catalytic converters are my next suspect…I will pull over and tap them both at its worst and hottest windows, and that drastically improves how the truck breathes, but only for moments. ANYWAY: I cannot escape a shop anywhere for less than $1800 anymore. . I am off season and can’t do it. I also know that these trucks and their twin turbo business are sort of picky/delicate. I have premium fluids/filters and change the oil (full-synthetic/lucas the whole 9) very regularly (I’m a desert climate landscaper):
My Question: Will the laquer thinner have a dangerous impact on the turbos BEFORE it has a chance to work its magic on the converters? HELP! Thank you!
- Shane H. - Bisbee, Arizona.
I’ve been troubleshooting this seemingly damaging and aggressive noise and impeding turbulence for weeks.. the catalytic converters are my next suspect
I've never heard of catalytic converters causing any kind of noise other than rattling due to internal structural failure, or exhaust noise if they leak.
laquer thinner ... magic on the converters?
There is no "magic" in lacquer thinner when it comes to catalytic converters. It might help a little bit if a converter is just barely on the edge of triggering an efficiency code such as P0420 due to light surface contamination. However it will not do anything about clogging which is what would noticeably affect engine operation rather than just trigger an efficiency code, and it will not help with any kind of structural damage causing any kind of noise.
P0131 and P0132 do not refer to catalyst efficiency issues. Note that catalytic converter failure is not listed as a potential cause for those codes:
https://www.carparts.com/blog/p0131-o2-sensor-circuit-low-voltage-bank-1-sensor-1/
https://www.carparts.com/blog/p0132-oxygen-sensor-circuit-high-voltage-bank-1-sensor-1/
https://www.obd-codes.com/p0131
https://www.obd-codes.com/p0132
The following are the factory diagnostic procedures for those codes:
I would not use lacquer center on a twin turbo engine. There's too much pressure inside on those Fords. But you changed one turbo. There's no way both turbos are working the same. You got the one that works new one that's used. I would say you'd have to replace them both, especially if you find noise coming from one of them. Listen with the stethoscope
