If you've recently installed a new catalytic converter, you may be wondering: What killed your old converter in the first place?
Catalytic converters don't have moving parts. They rarely just die of old age without a cause. If you don't fix the root problem that wore out your factory unit, you run a very real risk of destroying your expensive new replacement in a matter of months. The culprit is often excess carbon and soot.
Carbon Buildup And Lightweight Oils
One of the biggest reasons for early converter failures today is excessive carbon and soot buildup. Modern engines are designed to run on lightweight oils (such as 0W-20) to maximize fuel economy. While this is great for MPG, it has a downside.
These lightweight oils are more prone to blow-by and evaporation. Over time, carbon and oil vapors can migrate through the exhaust valves and enter your catalytic converter. This gunk coats the delicate honeycomb substrate inside.
Once that substrate is coated, the chemical reaction stops. The efficiency of the converter drops, the oxygen sensors pick up on it, and boom - your dashboard lights up, and your OBD-II picks up the dreaded P0420 code (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold).
If you bolt a new converter onto an engine that is still pumping out carbon and soot, you are essentially coating your brand-new investment in the same gunk that killed the last one.
The Tailpipe Test
Checking for excess carbon and soot takes only seconds. Walk around to the back of your car and swipe your finger inside the tailpipe.
- Clean/Light Gray: Usually means you’re running clean.
- Thick, Black, Greasy Soot: Typically means your engine has a carbon problem.
If your finger comes back black, you probably need to clean the engine.
Davico Sledgehammer 2-Step Induction Cleaner
You wouldn’t put clean clothes on a dirty body, so don’t put a clean converter on a dirty engine.
To protect your investment, we recommend the Davico Sledgehammer 2-Step Induction Cleaner. It's a professional-grade decarbonizing system that attacks the problem from two angles:
- The Tank Additive: Cleans injectors and the combustion chamber.
- The Intake Spray: Cleans the intake valves and ports before the contaminants reach the exhaust.
Using the Sledgehammer kit strips away that power-robbing, converter-killing carbon buildup. It clears the path so your new catalytic converter can function efficiently and last for the long haul. Davico Run-Rite Sledgehammer Decarbonizing Kit is preferred by professionals because it is detergent based solution, as opposed to a chemical based solution like Sea Foam, and as such is gentler on the matting that surrounds the internal catalyst and is the most effective at flushing carbon material.
When Should You Use A Decarbonizing Kit?
We recommend using the Sledgehammer kit as a service maintenance product every 80,000 miles.
However, it is absolutely critical to use it when replacing a catalytic converter. Consider it cheap insurance. For a fraction of the cost of the converter, you can ensure your engine is running clean and your new exhaust system stays healthy.
Don’t let carbon kill your new converter. Add the Davico Sledgehammer Decarbonizing Kit to your order today and install your new parts with confidence!