Catalytic Converter Liquid Cleaners???

[Cisc0]

Greetings all,

I'm wondering if anyone has ever used: Cataclean. It's a liquid catalytic converter cleaner that you add to fuel tank. Below is the link to it being sold at amazon:

Amazon.com: Cataclean Engine and Catalytic Converter Treatment- 16.7 oz.: Automotive


Thanks for your input.

[Hit Redline]

I doubt it really does anything. Wonder why in the ad says not for sale to Catalina Island?

[motordavid]

At $25/blt and, their statement that it may take up to "3 treatments", I suggest it's
pretty pricey wonder juice.

Their statement:
"Cataclean openly and aggressively tests its product around the globe with certified and recognized independent automotive experts. Data is available to substantiate the efficacy of Cataclean and experts prove our claims on emissions and fuel efficiency improvements for gasoline and diesel."

But, I can't find any thing on-line that talks about their test method(s), and where their "data" was derived from.
Some "reviews" on the stuff range from, it didn't work and no money back, to
it made my CEL go off, in lieu of getting a new cat, to I get 3 more mpg.

So, imo, to the OP: if your car is working ok, and no one has told you that you
need a new cat(s), I would take a Pasadena on it.

Edit...may be a UK based product, with an "office" in the US near Buffalo.
From the Cataclean UK website, (where they also spend several paragraphs
defending how it may not work for everyone, but it does "work" for some
drivers on some cars...all Fwiw.
Their "tech" section:

CATACLEAN has been tested both under the strictest laboratory conditions and in the harshest of operating environments. In addition to our own rigorous testing in the UK, CATACLEAN has been tested by various different authorities overseas.
sweden

Jacob Almen, engine consultant for MTC AB, the Swedish Government-owned EN45001 emissions-testing laboratory, undertook tests on a Renault Twingo in accordance with strict government guidelines during May 2001.

The tests were carried out using a Clayton Chassis Dynamometer System (DC500). Measurements of regulated emissions were monitored using a Horiba 9000 system in accordance with both manufacturer's and US Federal specifications.

Regulated emissions were measured as follows:

Carbon Monoxide (CO) with a Nondispersive Infrared Analyser (NDIR)
Total unburned Hydrocarbons (HC) with a Flame Ionisation Detector (FID)
Oxides of Nitrogen with a Chemiluminescence Analyser (CLA)

The idling test system used was an Opus 40 Exhaust Gas Analyser, manufactured by Prodox AB that complies with ECE regulations.

The vehicle had been examined by MTC for mechanical faults prior to testing. No faults were found except for the poor conversion performance of the catalytic converter.

To quote from the report...
"The Renault Twingo was found to emit 70 - 90% less HC after CATACLEAN treatment on idling and 2500rpm respectively."

"The CO emissions were reduced from 0.05% at idling and 2.9% at 2500rpm to levels below the detection limit."

See the graph (MTC Carbon Monoxide test results)

See the graph (MTC Hydrocarbons test results)
dubai

During June 2001 a test took place in Dubai to monitor the performance of CATACLEAN under the effects of continuous heat and dust and very poorly refined fuel. The results were startling.

The test vehicle, a JEEP Cherokee, before treatment would not change up the gears, the engine was erratic and would not rev above 3500 RPM.
Within one hour of treatment the automatic gearbox was working perfectly and the engine was revving up to 6000 revs. The vehicle subsequently operated very smoothly and continues to work at optimal performance levels.

We have received several thousand letters from satisfied users of Cataclean. These are a few representative samples of what they said:

“…We have been using your emissions fluid in one of our vehicles since July. The vehicle we selected was a Scania P113M used on general container work up to 38 tonnes.
We have been monitoring fuel consumption and the results are most encouraging. This is the best this vehicle has ever achieved.
Fuel is our biggest cost and for every 0.25 extra miles per gallon we achieved we would save about £25,000 pa over the whole fleet.” AM, Haulage Contractor, Suffolk

“We have been supplying Cataclean to the local MOT and SVA stations and have had really good feedback. In some extreme cases it proved to be the only way of bringing emissions down to acceptable levels.
The best thing is that it can be used in petrol as well as diesel engines with almost immediate results.” CT, Automotive Dealer, Liverpool

“I am writing to tell you of my recent experience with Cataclean.
...I took my car to an MOT testing centre and had my emissions readings recorded. I then added Cataclean to my petrol tank as instructed on the bottle, drove the car for several miles to allow the Cataclean to work, then took the car back to the testing station to have my emissions readings re-taken.
The results were amazing. The initial hydrocarbon readings were 171-165 ppm. After treatment with Cataclean, the readings dropped to zero. Neither the mechanic nor myself were quite able to believe that such a massive reduction was possible so quickly but I have the printouts to prove it.
As a result of my personal experience, I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Cataclean to anybody who wishes to save money on fuel costs and also do their bit for the environment by reducing their vehicle’s emissions.” RS, Kent

[Weasel]

Well, the last few years my mother's 98 528i has pulled up the "catalytic converter efficiency" fault a few times. Usually after a good highway run after months of city driving... After cleared it doesn't come back for about a year, but I've had it a few times. Just for fun I'd give this stuff a try before replacing the cats, if the faults come back consistently enough to warrant replacement of course.