A catalytic converter is an essential component of modern cars, as it purifies your vehicle’s exhaust gases and thus suits modern pollution standards. However, it is possible that it may become clogged or malfunction, in which circumstance a change or cleaning is important. In this article we are going to look at how to clean a catalytic converter on Opel Zafira 3? To do this, to begin with, we will explain the scenarios in which it may be interesting to clean the catalytic converter of your Opel Zafira 3, then, how to accomplish this cleaning to recover 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 Opel Zafira 3?

In this first section we will explain why it may be significant to clean the catalyst of your Opel Zafira 3 . Indeed for some of you it may seem obvious but most of you do not understand how it functions and the consequences dirty catalytic converter .

Role and functioning of the catalytic converter of a Opel Zafira 3

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The catalytic converter of your Opel Zafira 3 has the task to eliminate harmful exhaust gases associated with the operation of your engine. Indeed, it is one of the most important elements that fight against the pollution discharged by your Opel Zafira 3. It will transform these harmful gases into water or nonpolluting gases. In order to transform these gases, the catalyst of your Opel Zafira 3 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 therefore essential to avoid clogging the catalytic converter of your Opel Zafira 3. If you are thinking of making sufficiently long trips to heat it up repeatedly (count more than 10 kilometres for the catalyst to reach the right temperature), this will allow you to optimize the life of this part and keep ideal engine overall performance.

Consequences of a dirty or faulty catalytic converter on Opel Zafira 3

We will now discover what can be the consequences of a dirty or failing catalytic converter on Opel Zafira 3 . This will allow you to establish the manifestations that should alert you to a breakdown of your catalytic converter, here is the list of signs of illness of a faulty catalytic converter:

  • The catalytic converter of your Opel Zafira 3 is clogged: As we said above, if you make too short travels like 50% of people, it will not have the time to start functioning and the catalytic converter will clog up with exhaust gases.
  • Switching on the engine light: : Following a clogged catalytic converter, engine light of your Opel Zafira 3 may come on, do not hesitate to consult our content 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 generally as well have complications.
  • A metallic noise caused by the exhaust: In case the catalyst is dead you should hear this noise which results in that the ceramic is damaged.

Why you should clean the catalytic converter of your Opel Zafira 3

Before we finish with the step you are most likely most keen on, how to clean the catalytic converter of a Opel Zafira 3? We will explain why it may be relevant for you to conduct this cleaning. Indeed, a catalytic converter is a very expensive component (about 500 euros with the set up, the price can differ according to the engines). In addition to being no longer good for passing the technical control , you may be at risk of over-consumption of fuel . At last, the last benefit 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 Opel Zafira 3?

Finally here is the step that you are likely most enthusiastic about in this content page, how to clean the catalytic converter of your Opel Zafira 3? Know that this procedure is very very easy, and that there are two methods to accomplish:

  • Scrubbing the catalytic converter from your Opel Zafira 3 on a regular basis: This strategy is specifically practical for persons who mainly do short trips . To do so, nothing could be less complicated, 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 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 examine that you have recovered healthier exhaust fumes after the procedure. You can conduct this procedure every 15 000km.

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If you have any additional questions about the Opel Zafira 3, do not hesitate to consult our Opel Zafira 3 category.