Petrol engine catalyst cleaner

[newts]

We had the RAC out a few years ago for eml warnings. His advice was to 'drive the car like we'd stolen for 1/2hr' to get it really hot & burn off sooty deposits. Sorted it out proper job🤣

 

[Fastpedaller]

What car is it and year

It's a Ka+ 5 door Ka, but just like a fiesta with windows instead of slits . 2016 built. I have an OBD2 reader, but the car is 100 miles away. It is being driven to us at the weekend (so will get a good run) - I'll put the tester on it!
ETA it's done 70k. My Wife has the same model car (a few months older) and ours has done 108k, but gets the longer journeys (To Daughter 100 miles away generally )

 

[Fastpedaller]

On some cars the catalyst can be quite far away from the engine and take a while to get upto temperature. This is why modern cars have the cat very close to the engine . Driving steady and for lots of short journeys causes a bit of soot build up reducing the efficiency of the cat. Driving in a low gear after the engine is warm(thrashing) will burn off these pollutants. The cat cleaners help do this via chemical process

It is a close-coupled cat. The garage suggested that the short journeys she frequently does are the cause. They said super unleaded will likely help. Strange how we all still say 'unleaded' when it's not possible to buy leaded.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Absolutely - I nearly referred to it as that in my post but thought it might only be familar to enthusiasts..

The RAC guy tried that - I think even if it does have an effect, it will be a certain number of key-ons before the eml will reset (if it does)

 

[CXRAndy]

It's a Ka+ 5 door Ka, but just like a fiesta with windows instead of slits . 2016 built. I have an OBD2 reader, but the car is 100 miles away. It is being driven to us at the weekend (so will get a good run) - I'll put the tester on it!
ETA it's done 70k. My Wife has the same model car (a few months older) and ours has done 108k, but gets the longer journeys (To Daughter 100 miles away generally )

Maybe a good drive may clear the error. If she puts in the cleaner, the journey will be plenty for it to do it's best at cleaning.

My daughters Polo a long while ago had the pre 02 sensor fault code. They were dirt cheap like £15 to buy. Several years later the post sensor started playing up-this cost £150 . Did cure the problem. Car was driven hard for long journeys per day

 

[BrumJim]

Strange how we all still say 'unleaded' when it's not possible to buy leaded.

This from a group of people that talk about clipless pedals that you clip into?

 

[Drago]

Lead makes you criminally insane.

Benzine gives you cancer.

Why cant they find an additive that makes hair grow back for bald men?

 

[CXRAndy]

If its a 1.2 vvt petrol engine then sensors pre and post catalyst are relatively cheap from online retailers.

Also worth checking to see if it can run a drive cycle after a reset

 

[Fastpedaller]

The garage checked it over, lent her a courtesy car, and called me later to say it was cat efficiency and suggested cat cleaner. I agreed it sounded a good thing to try and they added it. Total cost £86, which given their time/commitment was a fair price. It has been ok since (no repeat of EML). I'm pleased I've found a garage local to her that I can trust.
I noticed 2 bottles of Redex treatment in Lidl today is £5, which is a good price so I may buy some just in case for future use on our car or Daughters.