Last updated on August 1st, 2023 at 08:04 am
If you thinking about whether you can use seafoam catalytic converter cleaner to unclog your cat, then come along as I show how to clean catalytic converter seafoam. We are going to discuss how well does seafoam catalytic converter cleaner work, where to buy seafoam catalytic converter cleaner, and does seafoam hurts catalytic converter?
The truth is that, vehicles that are produced with a catalytic converter help in reducing the toxicity levels of vehicle gases before they’re released out of the tailpipe to the environment.
You should understand that there is a particular chemical reaction that allows this to occur whenever the metals of the cat converter come in contact with gases.
The disadvantage to catalytic converters is that they get dirty and clogged. This happens due to long years of using the converter or due to issues with the internal combustion process. Related Article: Seafoam Reviews: The Truth About Seafoam (All You Need to Know)
Internal combustion is where there is much fuel being mixed. However, the extra fuel that does not burn will end up damaging the cat converter.
Once the cat converter becomes damaged, even when you use the best catalytic converter cleaner, it won’t help until it is replaced. But cleaning the converter can make a huge difference if it is just dirty.
The question is, do catalytic converter cleaners work? My answer to this question is yes. However, as long as you’re dealing only dirty on the cat converter, it can be cleaned.
So whenever you notice your fuel economy has decreased or is smelling like a rotten egg from the engine, then there’s a need for the catalytic converter to be cleaned immediately.
Note that many reputable cat converter cleaners are available on the market, but I’ll be talking about SeaFoam cleaner.
How Well Does Seafoam Catalytic Converter Cleaner Work
Talking about Seafoam cleaner, you should consider the fact that it doesn’t give perfect cleaning to your catalytic converter.
Seafoam only helps clean the engine and therefore acts as a preventative measure against a clogged and inefficient catalytic converter.
But when you use Seafoam as a fuel additive, it will clean and lubricate passageways across the engine, intake valves, combustion chamber, upper cylinders, and carburetors.
This means that once the above-mentioned components are cleaned and maintained, the catalytic converter problems will be minimized. What this means is that Seafoam is not for cleaning your catalytic converter thoroughly. But it can be used as a preventative, which works quite well.
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Will Seafoam Clean Catalytic Converter?
Yes and no! No SeaFoam won’t completely clean your catalytic converter. Yes, you can treat your engine by combining Sea Foam in fuel and Sea Foam Spray via the intake to clean the upper area of your engine. This is because cleaning the fuel injectors, upper chamber areas, and intake valves will help the engine burn more efficiently. When you have a clean upper engine, it will produce fewer exhaust emissions.
Can I Use Seafoam Catalytic Converter Cleaner Without Removing The Cat?
It’s essential to note that clogged cat converters are normally not clean, so they’re supposed to be replaced.
Anytime a cat converter gets clogged, the car exhaust can superheat the catalysts inside, which will melt together and create a more significant blockage. So it should be replaced.
You might ask, can I use seafoam catalytic converter cleaner without removing the cat instead of replacing it? Yes, you can use it to clean your catalytic converter without removing it.
All you need to do is pour it into your fuel tank; it doesn’t matter if you use a diesel, petrol, or hybrid vehicle. After it is poured into your fuel tank, drive your car a couple of miles so it can circulate through your engine.
Will Seafoam Unclog Catalytic Converter After Application?
My answer is no, it won’t completely clean your cat. Indeed, Seafoam is an excellent product and works very well whenever it comes to cleaning your engine’s components, but it is not advised to be used once your cat converter is already clogged.
What Seafoam does is to remove deposits and build-up in your engine’s moving component and remove it through the exhaust system, but an already clogged cat converter is liable to completely clog. Whenever this happens, you might end up replacing your cat converter as it is cheaper than an entire engine overhaul.
This is because as the cat converter becomes more clogged, the engine and fuel economy will also suffer. So, using Seafoam as a last-ditch effort to clean a cat converter will only increase the problem. Once the cat converter is clogged, airflow to the engine will reduce which will deprive combustion of one of the air it needs.
Is Seafoam Bad For Your Catalytic Converter?
Seafoam is meant to remove carbon from your engine and allow it to pass through your vehicle, and push it out of the engine. Seafoam can do a good job cleaning the carbon inside your engine to pass from the engine to the catalyst.
However, putting Seafoam inside your crankcase is not good because whenever it is poured along with your oil, it does not only thins your oil but it will no longer have the exact quality protection it is supposed to have.
When you pour seafoam inside your engine, it loosens a lot of gunk that was previously there and may clog your oil, starving your engine of the oil it needs.
Where To Buy Seafoam Catalytic Converter Cleaner In The US
Seafoam catalytic converter cleaner can easily be bought from some of the popular online stores like Amazon, and the following:
Seafoam is specially formulated to be an easy one-step emission-passing liquid. It is a premium liquid formulated to eliminate and clean deposits from intake valves, combustion chambers, and fuel injectors for faster acceleration, easier starts, and better airflow.
Can A Clogged Catalytic Converter Be Cleaned With Seafoam?
Note that Seafoam is so effective at eliminating carbon from your engine components when it is directly poured into your fuel tank. But it is not advised to use Seafoam if your cat converter is already clogged.
Seafoam is meant to only remove carbon from your engine and allow it to pass through your vehicle and pushes it out of the engine.
How To Clean Catalytic Converter Seafoam
1. Using Seafoam As A Fuel Additive
Normally it is recommended to pour Seafoam into your fuel once every 3,000 miles. But you must only add one ounce per gallon of gasoline for standard maintenance.
To use it as a cleaner, ensure to increase the ratio to two ounces per gallon.
I guess you’ve heard about the 50/50 ratio before, it’s not referring to mixing 50% Seafoam to 50% gasoline in your fuel tank. It is meant for only cleaning machines that are designed to clean out the fuel injectors on gasoline and diesel engines.
The Seafoam cleaning additives work well by eliminating all build-up and deposits that are found on various components of the engine. Seafoam cleaning additives can remove them and also the byproducts of such breakdown can pass safely through the catalytic converter without clogging it.
Whenever your catalytic converter reaches a point where it starts bringing black smoke out of your tailpipe, then you’ll smell a “rotten egg” kind of odor. Also, your vehicle’s bottom will increasingly be hot. So when this happens, it is probably too late to take advantage of Seafoam additives and you’ll have to clean it with an alternative method.
2. Using Seafoam As An Oil Additive
Note that you use Seafoam as an oil additive the same way you made use of it as a fuel additive, the only difference is that you drop one ounce into the oil crankcase per quart of oil. But you should add it directly into the oil crankcase whenever you remove the cap and then add oil during your normal oil change.
Additionally, you’ll get the best results when you routinely add Seafoam additive during every oil change. Seafoam additive will work by freeing up oil flow since it helps to eliminate petroleum residues, cleans deposits, and cleans your actuators within the crankcase.
In summary, the better your engine runs, the better it will be able to burn out residue from the catalytic converter. This will prevent deposit build-ups or not exacerbate any existing deposits to the point that it will now clog the cat converter completely.
Does Seafoam Hurt Catalytic Converters?
Indeed, the popular Sea Foam treatment liquid won’t clean your cat converter completely, what it does is treat the problems before it causes the cat converter to get clogged up.
However, putting Seafoam inside your crankcase is not good because whenever it is poured along with your oil, it does not only thins your oil but it will no longer have the exact qualities of protection it is supposed to have which could later hurt the cat converter.
Can Seafoam Help Catalytic Converter?
Remember that a catalytic converter burns hydrocarbons and CO using a platinum catalyst in minimizing pollution. So when you use seafoam treatment liquid, it can help catalytic converter to avoid being clogged.
Can Seafoam Fix Catalytic Converter?
My answer is no, Seafoam treatment liquid can make it worse especially if it is already damaged. Seafoam can only do a good job at cleaning the carbon and deposits in an engine that it will make it pass from the engine right into your catalytic converter. So seafoam cannot fix your catalytic converter.
Conclusion
In this post we have talked about How well does seafoam catalytic converter cleaner works, if and will seafoam clean catalytic converter that is clogged, and whether seafoam can hurt catalytic converter.
Now if I should ask you the question “can I use seafoam catalytic converter cleaner without removing the cat”? I am sure you know the answer.
The fact is, seafoam motor treatment excellently works well at ensuring your engine components, especially the catalytic converter doesn’t get clogged or get dirty. So, when you use it regularly, it can save you from visiting your mechanic and the need to get it cleaned or replaced.
But if you notice any symptom that your converter is already clogged, Seafoam treatment cannot do much. So, you may need your catalytic converter to be manually cleaned.
I hope this article on how to clean catalytic converter seafoam and where to buy seafoam catalytic converter cleaner was helpful to you.
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Hi dear, my name is Jeffery Ekweghi, and I am a certified mechanic and autobody parts technician. I created this site to share my expertise and experience with car lovers looking to resolve their car-related issues. I am certified in private cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. I have worked as a mechanic since 2015 and have experience in vehicle brands like Subaru, Jeep, Toyota, TATA, BMW, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Kia, TVs, and Others; however, I primarily specialize in Toyota vehicles.
