Catalytic converters are an important part of anyone’s vehicle. They convert harmful toxins that can cause pollution to relatively safer chemicals as they leave your exhaust.
Understandably, catalytic converters can get pretty dirty after miles of use. It is one of the possible reasons why you can fail emission tests.
Seafoam, on the other hand, is the best product you can use as an engine cleaner, lubricant, and fuel stabilizer. Today we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to clean the catalytic converter with Seafoam!
So, is it possible to use Seafoam cleaner spray to clean out a catalytic converter effectively? Indeed, it is; notably, this agent is made of organic ingredients and will not harm your engine and fuel system.
Table of Contents
- Steps to Use Seafoam to Clean Catalytic Converters
- What to Prepare:
- 1. Using Seafoam as a Fuel Additive
- Step 1: Determine the Amount of Seafoam your Car Needs
- Step 2: Check your Fuel
- Step 3: Pour Seafoam into your Gas Tank
- Step 4: Take a Test Drive
- 2. Using Seafoam as Engine Additive
- Step 1: Turn Off your Engine
- Step 2: Determine the Amount of Seafoam you Need
- Step 3: Pour Seafoam into your Carburetor
- Step 4: Get Regular Oil Changes
- Other Additives that Can Clean a Cat Converter Directly
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Steps to Use Seafoam to Clean Catalytic Converters
Before you get to the task, it is important to note that the product does not necessarily clean a clogged catalytic converter.
Seafoam however can help clean the carbon from the engine allowing it to pass through without clogging up your cat converter. For cleaning catalytic converters here is a guide on how to use Seafoam in fuel and in your engine oil.
What to Prepare:
- Seafoam Cleaner
- Funnel
- Safety Glasses
- Safety Gloves
- Clean Towels or Rags
- Car Manual
1. Using Seafoam as a Fuel Additive
Cleaning your fuel with Seafoam can make your car run smoother by lubricating and cleaning your fuel intake.
Step 1: Determine the Amount of Seafoam your Car Needs
For this step, it is important to keep note of your car’s fuel capacity. You can check your car manual to give you an exact idea of your fuel capacity.
The basic thing to remember is that you need to add 1 ounce (30 ml) of seafoam for every 1 gallon (4 liters) of fuel for basic maintenance.
If you are doing deep cleaning then you can increase it to 2 ounces per 1 gallon.
Step 2: Check your Fuel
Seafoam works best when you apply it when your fuel tank is low since it provides better cleaning fluid concentration.
While it will work with any level, Seafoam is recommended for high-octane gasoline (91 octanes or higher). Higher octane gasoline will ignite better and keep your car performing in tip-top shape.
Step 3: Pour Seafoam into your Gas Tank
Wear your safety glasses and gloves and place rags around the rim of your fuel tank to catch any spillage. Open up your fuel tank and place a funnel inside.
Using the funnel pour your set amount of Seafoam. Make sure to avoid any spills. When you are done put back the cap and make sure it is closed tight.
If spills do happen use your clean rags or towels. Make sure to clean them thoroughly after.
Step 4: Take a Test Drive
To make sure everything is in order, take your car for a drive. This will also be the fuel to mix with the Seafoam and clean the fuel and fuel injector.
This allows the Seafoam to break down any build-up in your combustion chamber, help prevent build-up and make your catalytic converter cleaner.
It is advised to run the car until the fuel is almost empty to ensure the Seafoam will clean your car thoroughly.
2. Using Seafoam as Engine Additive
Step 1: Turn Off your Engine
Remember not to mess with your engine while it is warm. Wait for at least 30 minutes until your car has cooled down before doing anything with it.
Adding Seafoam while your engine is warm can cause a shock to the carburetor and may damage your vehicle. Hot oil is a very dangerous substance so do not forget this step.
Step 2: Determine the Amount of Seafoam you Need
Seafoam is a petroleum based product and will mix well with your engine oil. Mixing seafoam with engine oil will get rid of solid petroleum residue that can restrict oil flow in your engine.
By using your car’s manual, check your engine oil capacity. For every 1 gallon of petroleum, you must add 2 ounces of seafoam.
Step 3: Pour Seafoam into your Carburetor
Before you begin make sure you are wearing your safety glasses and gloves.
Remove the cap from your engine oil and place a funnel to avoid spillage. Pour the set amount of Seafoam into the carburetor’s throat. Once you are finished make sure to return the cap and close it tightly.
If spillage occurs, make sure to wipe it immediately with your towel or rags.
Step 4: Get Regular Oil Changes
After you have driven your car around 250 mi or 402 km, you must get an oil change. Seafoam is a powerful solution and it is important to have your oil changed to maintain the efficiency of your car.
Changing your oil regularly can help remove any build-up that has been flushed by the seafoam solution.
Other Additives that Can Clean a Cat Converter Directly
While using seafoam for catalytic converter cleaning can help prevent build-up by cleaning your fuel system, other products can do it directly.
- Cataclean – The advantage of Cataclean vs Seafoam is that it can clean your carburetor directly. When Cataclean combusts in the engine, it releases acids that can remove the carbon buildup and clean out catalytic converters and exhaust.
- Dura Lube – Dura Lube Severe Catalytic and Exhaust Treatment is another product for direct catalytic converter treatment. It is designed to remove oil poisons from your catalytic converter.
Dura Lube can reduce carbon footprint by removing carbon and improving fuel efficiency. It can also help you pass emission tests.
Can I get rid of my Catalytic Converter?
Catalytic converters work by constricting the exhaust produced by burning fuel. It ignites and burns the carbons and nitrogen oxide and turns them into less harmless materials.
Removing the catalytic converter can reverse this process and cause your car to become more of a pollutant. However, there are some upsides to removing your catalytic converter such as:
- Better exhaust sound
- Generate more horsepower
- More fuel options
- Lower car temps
- Better gas mileage
However, the biggest downside to removing your cat converter is that it is illegal in most places. Removing the cat converter can also trigger the check engine light in modern cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Easiest Way to Clean Catalytic Converters?
Removing the catalytic converter and having it replaced or cleaned professionally is the best way to remove any blockages.
However, another method to clean a cat converter without removing it is by using Seafoam as a preventative method or Cataclean and other direct cleaners.
Where do you put Seafoam to clean catalytic converters?
Seafoam can be used as a fuel or oil additive. You can pour it in your gas tank to clean up your fuel lines or you can put it in your carburetor to clean any carbon buildup.
How often to use Seafoam?
For a regular-sized vehicle, a can of Seafoam should be added to the fuel tank every 2,000-5,000 miles.
How good is Seafoam?
Seafoam is a good fuel and oil additive that will not damage your vehicle. It has a proven track record and several reviews that would attest to its effectiveness.
Conclusion
Preventing any build-up in your engine and fuel lines will allow your cat converter to work smoothly and efficiently. Using additives like Seafoam is a good option if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on repairs.
Learning how to clean the catalytic converter with Seafoam is an easy process. The important thing to remember is the amount of Seafoam you should use for every liter of gasoline or engine oil.
Working with Vernon and Ryley has been a great experience for me. Together with the rest of the team, I hope to create reliable and useful information for our readers, no matter where they are and their experience with car maintenance.
