A catalytic converter is a vital part of modern cars, as it purifies your vehicle’s exhaust fumes and thus suits modern pollution requirements. However, it is possible that it may become clogged or malfunction, in which case a replace or cleaning is fundamental. Today we are going to look at how to clean a catalytic converter on Bmw 1 series? To do this, to begin with, we will describe the circumstances in which it might be interesting to clean the catalytic converter of your Bmw 1 series, then, how to perform this cleaning to retrieve the efficiency of the catalytic converter of your car.

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Why would you want to clean up the catalytic converter of your Bmw 1 series?

In this first part we will describe why it might be important to clean the catalyst of your Bmw 1 series . Indeed for some of you it might seem logical but most of you do not understand how it works and the outcomes dirty catalytic converter .

Function and functioning of the catalytic converter of a Bmw 1 series

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The catalytic converter of your Bmw 1 series has the goal to eliminate harmful exhaust fumes associated with the procedure of your engine. Indeed, it is one of the main components that fight against the pollution discharged by your Bmw 1 series. It will convert these harmful gases into water or non-polluting fumes. In order to convert these gases, the catalyst of your Bmw 1 series 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 Bmw 1 series. If you are considering making adequately long trips to heat it up frequently (count more than 10 kilometres for the catalyst to reach the right temperature), this will allow you to optimize the life of this component and preserve ideal engine effectiveness.

Results of a dirty or faulty catalytic converter on Bmw 1 series

We will now see what can be the outcomes of a dirty or failing catalytic converter on Bmw 1 series . This will allow you to identify the signs of illness that should warn you to a failure of your catalytic converter, here is the list of symptoms of a faulty catalytic converter:

  • The catalytic converter of your Bmw 1 series is blocked: As we said earlier, if you make too short journeys like 50% of people, it will not have the time to start working and the catalytic converter will clog up with exhaust fumes.
  • Switching on the engine light: : Following a clogged catalytic converter, engine light of your Bmw 1 series may come on, do not hesitate to consult our article to identify how to switch it off.
  • A faulty lambda sensor : The catalyst works 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 notice this noise which means that the ceramic is damaged.

Why you should clean the catalytic converter of your Bmw 1 series

Before we accomplish with the step you are probably most enthusiastic about, how to clean the catalytic converter of a Bmw 1 series? We will describe why it might be relevant for you to perform this cleaning. Indeed, a catalytic converter is a very expensive part (about 500 euros with the installation, the price can fluctuate according to the engines). In addition to being no longer good for passing the technical control , you might be at risk of over-consumption of fuel . Finally, the last interest is that cleaning a catalytic converter is not that expensive and doing it frequently will save you quite a lot of money.

How do you clean the catalytic converter from its Bmw 1 series?

Finally here is the step that you are likely most enthusiastic about in this content, how to clean the catalytic converter of your Bmw 1 series? Know that this process is very very easy, and that there are two approaches to accomplish:

  • Scrubbing the catalytic converter from your Bmw 1 series frequently: This technique is specifically beneficial for people who specifically do short trips . To do this, nothing could be less complicated, from time to time, make a long trip (about 30 minutes to optimize 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 locate some in a car center for about 20 euros. All you have to do is add it to your fuel directly 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 frequently 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 perform this procedure every 15 000km.

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To discover more tips on the Bmw 1 series, take a look at the Bmw 1 series category.