A catalytic converter is a vital component of recent cars, as it purifies your vehicle’s exhaust fumes and thus matches modern pollution requirements. Nevertheless, it is possible that it may become clogged or breakdown, in which case a change or cleaning is necessary. Today we are going to check out how to clean a catalytic converter on BMW X4? To achieve this, to begin with, we will show you the scenarios in which it might be interesting to clean the catalytic converter of your BMW X4, then, how to execute this cleaning to recover the performance of the catalytic converter of your car.

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Why would you want to clean up the catalytic converter of your BMW X4?

In this first part we will explain why it might be significant to clean the catalyst of your BMW X4 . Obviously for some of you it may seem obvious but the majority of you do not know how it functions and the outcomes dirty catalytic converter .

Function and functioning of the catalytic converter of a BMW X4

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The catalytic converter of your BMW X4 has the goal to eliminate harmful exhaust fumes associated with the process of your engine. Obviously, it is one of the most important elements that fight against the pollution discharged by your BMW X4. It will transform these harmful gases into water or non-polluting fumes. In order to transform these gases, the catalyst of your BMW X4 a mesh of precious metals which, when the gases pass at high temperature, will break them down by chemical reaction . A catalytic converter can just work from 400°, it is consequently necessary to avoid clogging the catalytic converter of your BMW X4. If you are considering making sufficiently long trips to heat it up repeatedly (count more than 10 kilometres for the catalyst to reach the right temperature), this will enable you to optimize the life of this part and preserve best engine effectiveness.

Consequences of a dirty or faulty catalytic converter on BMW X4

We will now find out what can be the outcomes of a dirty or failing catalytic converter on BMW X4 . This will enable you to discover the symptoms that should notify you to a malfunction of your catalytic converter, here is the list of symptoms of a faulty catalytic converter:

  • The catalytic converter of your BMW X4 is blocked: As we stated above, if you make too short trips like 50% of people, it will not have the time to start functioning 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 X4 may come on, do not hesitate to seek advice from our article to find out how to switch it off.
  • A faulty 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 problems.
  • A metallic noise originating from the exhaust: In case the catalyst is dead you should notice this noise which suggests that that the ceramic is damaged.

Why you should clean the catalytic converter of your BMW X4

Before we end with the step you are most likely most interested in, how to clean the catalytic converter of a BMW X4? We will explain why it might be relevant for you to conduct this cleaning. Obviously, a catalytic converter is a very expensive component (about 500 euros with the installation, the price can differ depending to the engines). Furthermore 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 repeatedly will save you a lot of money.

How do you clean the catalytic converter from its BMW X4?

Finally here is the stage that you are most likely most enthusiastic about in this content page, how to clean the catalytic converter of your BMW X4? Know that this procedure is very basic, and that there are two techniques to accomplish:

  • Scrubbing the catalytic converter from your BMW X4 on a regular basis: This approach is especially useful for persons who principally do short trips . To do so, nothing could be easier, from time to time, make a long trip (about 30 minutes to enhance 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 car 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 afterwards do an exhaust gas analysis to verify that you have recovered healthier exhaust fumes after the process. You can conduct this process every 15 000km.

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Whenever you have any further questions about the BMW X4, do not hesitate to consult our BMW X4 category.