A catalytic converter is a vital component of contemporary cars, as it purifies your vehicle’s exhaust fumes and thus matches modern pollution standards. Nevertheless, it is possible that it may become clogged or breakdown, in which circumstance a change or cleaning is necessary. In this article we are going to look at how to clean a catalytic converter on Subaru Outback? To do this, to begin with, we will describe the situations in which it may be interesting to clean the catalytic converter of your Subaru Outback, then, how to perform 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 Subaru Outback?

In this first part we will explain why it may be necessary to clean the catalyst of your Subaru Outback . Indeed for some of you it may seem logical but most of you do not understand how it functions and the results dirty catalytic converter .

Function and functioning of the catalytic converter of a Subaru Outback

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The catalytic converter of your Subaru Outback has the task to eliminate harmful exhaust fumes associated with the procedure of your engine. Indeed, it is one of the most important parts that fight against the pollution discharged by your Subaru Outback. It will convert these harmful gases into water or nonpolluting fumes. In order to convert these gases, the catalyst of your Subaru Outback 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 therefore essential to avoid clogging the catalytic converter of your Subaru Outback. If you are thinking of making enough long journeys to heat it up frequently (count more than 10 kilometres for the catalyst to reach the right temperature), this will allow you to optimise the life of this element and keep ideal engine performance.

Consequences of a dirty or defective catalytic converter on Subaru Outback

We will now discover what can be the results of a dirty or failing catalytic converter on Subaru Outback . This will allow you to establish the manifestations that should warn you to a malfunction of your catalytic converter, here is the list of symptoms of a defective catalytic converter:

  • The catalytic converter of your Subaru Outback is clogged: As we explained earlier, if you make too short journeys 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 Subaru Outback may come on, do not hesitate to consult 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 review the air flowing inside it, if it is clogged the sensors will more often than not as well have problems.
  • A metallic noise caused by the exhaust: In the event 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 Subaru Outback

Before we accomplish with the step you are probably most keen on, how to clean the catalytic converter of a Subaru Outback? We will explain why it may be relevant for you to accomplish this cleaning. Indeed, a catalytic converter is a very expensive component (about 500 euros with the installation, the price can vary depending 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 . Finally, the last benefit is that cleaning a catalytic converter is not that expensive and doing it frequently will save you a lot of money.

How do you clean the catalytic converter from its Subaru Outback?

Finally here is the step that you are most certainly most interested in in this article content, how to clean the catalytic converter of your Subaru Outback? Know that this process is very very easy, and that there are two techniques to accomplish:

  • Scrubbing the catalytic converter from your Subaru Outback on a regular basis: This approach is especially beneficial for people 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 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 afterwards do an exhaust gas analysis to verify that you have recovered healthier exhaust fumes after the procedure. You can accomplish this procedure every 15 000km.

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If you wish more tutorials on the Subaru Outback, go to our Subaru Outback category.