Link to Scotty Kilmer’s Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTmYItwiE
After watching Scotty’s video I was curious if it would actually work. Since we know from my video on diagnosing catalytic converters that the catalytic converters in my Subaru were bad, I though it was a perfect opportunity to try out this theory. I used about 1 quart of lacquer thinner to about 7 gallons of gas. I drove a total of 200 miles and tested the converters. The testing showed a very slight improvement but nothing that I would call significant. It was worth a try. I can say that I did not notice any issues with drivability during or after the test. It may not have fixed the problem, but it didn’t seem to cause any other problems either. I feel the check engine light that came on was just a coincidence and not the result of putting lacquer thinner in the gas tank. Here’s some useful links for you.
Diagnosing a P0420: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VZ5K8n5jj0
Discussion about this video: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/47854-does-lacquer-thinner-clean-catalytic-converters#77372
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He said it had no effects but the temp gun says otherwise it was over 100 degrees cooler in the first spot then remains around 30-50 degrees cooler throughout the checks he did
you use 1 gallon lacquer thinner to 10 gallon gas 1 quart not going to do much at all & it only works to clean dirty cats caused by engine burning oil .
I have a 2000 Lexus RX300. Tried to get a smog check and it wouldn’t pass. Kept showing code for the Catalytic Converter. Eventually I checked out videos and found Scotty Kilmer. Followed his advice exactly. Had 1/2 tank of gas and then poured in 1 gallon of Laquer Thinner. BOOM! 💥 NO MORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRUCK FINALLY PASSED THE SMOG CHECK. Incredible!
Informative 😀
You showed the sensor readings and exclaimed that it might have worked, they were behaving well. In the summary however you just say it did not work. Where are the final sensor readings? Seems you very much wanted to debunk this myth. Too much.
If I'm getting the cat code but tbe car is running good and I live in a place where theres no inspection. Do I even have to worry about it. Its a toyota sienna and I was told that code will come on even if the cat is at 94% efficiency
Thanks man that's my fourth video about catalytic converters, but I am still undecided to do it to my car and I won't buy more cat cleaner, it's what it's so I have to take Ford dealership. Thanks brother be safe!
have you ever seen what lacquer thinner does to a rubber squeegee
I came here to say Scotty Kilmer is a moron. Non-morons know this. Heh.
Cailf has a new smog test…on a Dynamometer and tge car is driven like your getting on the freeway…grrrrr…my car has never failed…until now…THEY ARE TRYING TO GET OLDER CARS OFF THE ROADS…(MINE=91 Sentra 1.6L 5 speed…FORCING ME TO PAY FOR A NEW CATLYTIC CONVERTER) LAST WAS 2 YEARS AGO…$240.00…COME ON…NOBODY KNOWS HOW I DRIVE GETTING ON A FREEWAY…OR IF IT IS AN ELEVATED ON RAMP OR UP HILL WITH A CURVE(CLOVER LEAF STYLE…STUPID BAD UNFAIR TEST)
But some catalitic converters can cost a $1000 bucks.. Replacing the cat should be last resort
Sorry. Scottys car was a Acura.
In scotty's video he said to put a gallon of laquer thinner in half a tank of gas. His car was a camery I think. I have a toyota avalon 1999. So a gallon was no problem. I opted to drive on freeway at 2500 rpms for a quarter tank about 100 miles. Then on the last quarter tank I parked and ran car at 2200 to 2500 RPM for 30 minutes. After I went and passed smog test. Scotty did say to get the rpms around 2500 plus rpms to heat the cats as much as possible. I had already replaced the air fuel ratio sensors and did a major tune up before starting this. I changed plugs, plug wires, coil packs, air and fuel filter, and did an oil change. So car was ready. No check engine lights. The cats got dirty before tune up. But I opted to try Scottys method and it worked.. Still no check engine light. It saved me $400 on a new catalitic converter. But he did say if that didn't worked to try and soak it over night in laundry detergent. I've seen other videos where they removed the cat and soak it in laquer thinner and water a 50/50 mix since laquer thinner . That didn't make sense since laquer thinner displaces water. We use it to clean out paint spray guns of paint and just before painting to clear out moisture. God bless and Shalom be with you.
Scotty said use a gallon, not a quart
Scotty said a gallon not a quart
Do you plan on doing a video of soaking one in a cleaning fluid?
Thanks
I just watched that video of "Scotty Kilmer" saying to Dump lacquer thinner in your tank to fix a Cadillac converter however, he was using "One Gallon" of lacquer thinner to a "Half a Tank" of fuel and Driving it a "Hundred and Fifty Miles" or keeping it at "2500 RPMs" for "30 Minutes",. You are using WAY LESS Lacquer Thinner than he Recommended and MORE FUEL in your TANK then he recommended! 1/4 Of A Tank More in Fact!! And You Have TWO Catalytic Converters When HE only had ONE!! How is that going to Prove HIS theory is Right or Wrong when you're NOT Doing It to HIS RECIPE OR HIS SPECIFICATIONS??
Eric, You are correct in if there is something wrong with the catalytic converter, such as the media comes lose, thinners are not going to fix it. Since this video is really old I'm sure you've resolved the issue with your converter but next time you test someone's recommendation, you should follow their advice. Scotty recommended 1 gallon per 1/2 tank or about 10%. You added 1 quarter of his recommended so it's no wonder it didn't work out for you.
My check engine light came on about a week ago and codes indicated the converter was bad. I just did exactly what Scotty recommendeded, 1 gallon per 1/2 tank on a 2011 chevy equinox, drove it about 40 miles at highway speed. Check engine light went out. It does seem to work, if the catalytic converter is not damaged.
Is Nobody going to comment on this dude running a car in a closed garage for hours?
It worked for me GOOD JOB Scotty Kilmer. $15.88 Lacquer Thinner verses $600/Cad-coverter each side. This is a no-brainer. P.S. My Cadillac CTS has two converters also.
You did not put the right amount. Scotty said a gallon not a litre.
What about taking the catalytic converters off and cleaning them?
I did it on my car.
check engine light is gone.
Half tank with a qt of lacquer.
Did the job.
All depends on how bad you cat is.
I know this old, but my problem is he drove it 170 miles and no P0420. The other code he had he says is wiring, there is a wire in the tank fuel pump , did it melt the wires, it's like a lollipop no one will ever know. He showing the sensor working and reading correctly, the back is to supposed to have a lower reading. When there reading are the same that's a p0420 He should get a new Temp gun. I got a Echo with the code, clear it and 30 miles it's back. I know there's a bunch of cat cleaners out there, bet there the thinner. What have I got to loose. Giving it try. I already ordered a 🐈 no not that kind.
Omg, lol
Scotty used a full gallon of lacquer thinner in half a tank of gas. Then drove 150 miles at high speed, or half an hour at 2500 rpm.
Come on man Scotty been doing this with cars for years. Check the YouTube best car mechanic. He sits at number one rank
I had the "low efficiency" code. Soaked the converters for 2 days in water with dawn dishwashing soap. Changed the solution a couple of times. Rinsed well and the code went away. But, this may be a special case.
The head gasket blew and several gallons of coolant went thru the exhaust. A few months after the gasket was replaced the code appeared. The converter on that side (V6 engine) was covered with a white layer. The other converter looked fine.
230k miles, original converters. 3k miles since the cleaning. Downstream O2 sensors are giving a flat (expected) output.
So, I can confirm that if the cause of the problem is coolant in the exhaust, soaking with dishwashing soap works.
Can you do one on the Honda odyssey 2006 why this is so common on this car. The light goes on and then off runs fine no power lack 😤 I just don't want to have to pay so much for the two new ones