A catalytic converter is an important component of modern cars, as it purifies your vehicle’s exhaust gases and thus meets modern pollution standards. However, it is possible that it may turned out to be clogged or malfunction, in which case a change or cleaning is fundamental. In this article we are going to look at how to clean a catalytic converter on Audi A8? To do this, to begin with, we will explain the scenarios in which it may be interesting to clean the catalytic converter of your Audi A8, then, how to execute this cleaning to recover the efficiency of the catalytic converter of your car.
Why would you want to clean up the catalytic converter of your Audi A8?
In this first part we will explain why it may be important to clean the catalyst of your Audi A8 . Indeed for some of you it might seem obvious but the majority of you do not understand how it functions and the consequences dirty catalytic converter .
Function and functioning of the catalytic converter of a Audi A8
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The catalytic converter of your Audi A8 has the objective to eliminate harmful exhaust gases related to the operation of your engine. Indeed, it is one of the main elements that fight against the pollution discharged by your Audi A8. It will convert these harmful gases into water or nonpolluting gases. In order to convert these gases, the catalyst of your Audi A8 a mesh of precious metals which, when the gases pass at high temperature, will break them down by chemical reaction . A catalytic converter can only work from 400°, it is consequently essential to avoid clogging the catalytic converter of your Audi A8. If you are thinking of making sufficiently long journeys to heat it up repeatedly (count more than 10 kilometres for the catalyst to reach the right temperature), this will enable you to optimise the life of this part and preserve best engine effectiveness.
Results of a dirty or defective catalytic converter on Audi A8
We will now find out what can be the consequences of a dirty or failing catalytic converter on Audi A8 . This will enable you to discover the symptoms that should notify you to a failure of your catalytic converter, here is the list of symptoms of a defective catalytic converter:
- The catalytic converter of your Audi A8 is blocked: As we explained earlier, if you make too short trips like 50% of people, it will not have the time to start working and the catalytic converter will clog up with exhaust gases.
- Switching on the engine light: : Following a clogged catalytic converter, engine light of your Audi A8 may come on, do not hesitate to seek advice from our content page to identify how to switch it off.
- A defective lambda sensor : The catalyst functions in close connection with the lambda sensors downstream and upstream of it, they will analyze the air flowing inside it, if it is clogged the sensors will often times also have complications.
- A metallic noise caused by the exhaust: In case the catalyst is dead you should hear this noise which suggests that that the ceramic is damaged.
Why you should clean the catalytic converter of your Audi A8
Before we finish with the step you are most likely most interested in, how to clean the catalytic converter of a Audi A8? We will explain why it may be important for you to carry out this cleaning. Indeed, a catalytic converter is a very expensive component (about 500 euros with the set up, the price can fluctuate according to the engines). Furthermore to being no longer good for passing the technical control , you may be at risk of over-consumption of fuel . At last, the last interest is that cleaning a catalytic converter is not that expensive and doing it repeatedly will save you quite a lot of money.
How do you clean the catalytic converter from its Audi A8?
Finally here is the stage that you are likely most keen on in this guideline, how to clean the catalytic converter of your Audi A8? Know that this procedure is very very easy, and that there are two methods to do it:
- Scrubbing the catalytic converter from your Audi A8 on a regular basis: This approach is especially effective for people who principally do short trips . To do so, nothing could be less difficult, from time to time, make a long trip (about 30 minutes to improve the efficiency of the process), thinking of making your engine go up in revs so that the temperature in the catalyst increases and it can be cleaned.
- To use a catalyst cleaner: You can find some in a motor vehicle center for about 20 euros. All you have to do is add it to your fuel straight in your tank with about half a full tank. Afterwards you will have to drive on a long distance for at least 1 hour at mid-range by trying to go repeatedly at high rpm . If you can before and later on do an exhaust gas analysis to check that you have recovered healthier exhaust fumes after the procedure. You can carry out this procedure every 15 000km.
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If you need more guides on the Audi A8, go to our Audi A8 category.
