Have you seen any YouTube videos or read any social media posts saying that putting lacquer thinner in the gas tank will troubleshoot the P0420 error code or clear a clogged catalytic converter? If yes, you may be wondering why people add lacquer thinner to the gas tank to clean catalytic converters.
Most people believe that adding lacquer thinner to the gas tank will clear a clogged catalytic converter. While this is true, it does come with pros and cons. Here, you’ll see if you can use lacquer thinner in a car, and what happens when you pour it into the gas tank. But first, what is lacquer thinner?
Lacquer Thinner Explained
Lacquer thinner is a mixture of solvents used in the world of painting or decoration. It is a strong solvent that can dissolve different plastics or resins. It is also a highly flammable chemical that emits a strong odor with noxious gases. Contains acetone, toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, and butyl acetate, making it highly corrosive.
As explained, it is a solvent used to clean painting equipment such as spray guns. Lacquer thinner is produced primarily for diluting, dissolving, and cleaning lacquer-based products. Improves lacquer leveling and flow, producing a streak-free, smooth, high-gloss finish.
Aside from lacquer-based products, lacquer thinner is used to clean stubborn ink and residue from any surface. It is good for cleaning, diluting, dissolving; and evaporates quickly.
Also Read: Can You Put WD40 In The Gas Tank?
Can you put lacquer thinner in a gas tank?
Already mentioned, lacquer thinner dissolves and cleans lacquer-based products as well as thins them. However, it can also clean stubborn residue on any surface. So if you’re asking, can I pour lacquer thinner into my gas tank to clean the catalytic converter? The answer is yes.
Pouring lacquer thinner into a gas tank can clean any lingering residue in the catalytic converter and exhaust system. However, it is necessary to take precautionary measures. If you don’t do it properly, it can have serious consequences.
If you suspect the catalytic converter is clogged, you can pour lacquer thinner in the correct amount to unclog it.
Symptoms of a clogged catalytic converter that show something is wrong with the catalyst include a rotten egg smell from the exhaust, sluggish acceleration, dark exhaust smoke, sluggish powertrain performance, and increased engine temperatures. Another common sign is a flashing check engine light on the dash.
If you notice two or more of these symptoms, you can pour lacquer thinner to clean it up instead of replacing or removing the catalytic converter. However, you need to follow the correct guide. All you have to do is get a half tank of gas and pour a gallon of lacquer thinner into the fuel tank. If you are asking how much lacquer thinner to pour into the gas tank, add no more than 1 gallon.
Run the vehicle for 150 miles or unless you are low on gas. The thinner will clean the clogged catalytic converter and other stubborn substances in the exhaust system. That monstrous little light on the dash will go away and you won’t notice the other symptoms.
Remember, I’ve mentioned twice what lacquer thinner is mostly made of. So, it’s okay to ask, what will happen if you put lacquer thinner in the gas tank?
What happens if you put lacquer thinner in the gas tank?
Putting an excessive amount of lacquer thinner to clean fuel injectors and catalytic converters is a threat to the overall fuel delivery system. It can cause damage to the engine and components inside the gas tank.
This is because manufacturers use plastic components and rubber seals in fuel systems. Since lacquer thinner is corrosive, it can easily corrode the fuel pump, wiring harness, and fuel filters. You can also melt the glue that holds some of the system components together.
Since lacquer thinner is a good cleaning solvent, it can clean out the gas tank, leaving behind residue that can clog the fuel filter, injectors or other crucial engine components and reduce overall engine performance.
In either case, adding straight lacquer thinner, 1 gallon to a half tank of gas, is one of the best ways to unclog a blocked catalytic converter. With the correct amount, lacquer thinner will do an excellent job of unclogging the catalytic converter and improving overall engine performance.
If you don’t want to take any chances, you can compare cataclean with lacquer thinner. Both lacquer thinner and cataclean are effective solutions for unclogging a catalytic converter. But cataclean is primarily made for cleaning catalytic converters. Therefore, it is less damaging than lacquer thinner.
How is lacquer thinner used in a car?
If you see mechanical repairs, hacks and cheats on youtube, there is a chance that you have stumbled upon Scotty Kilmer’s Youtube channel. In one of his videos, he explained how to use straight lacquer thinner in a tank of gas.
According to him, you should pour a gallon of lacquer thinner into a half tank of gas and run the vehicle for 150 miles at highway speeds. And he said if the car stays with him, he’ll turn on his big fan and face it into the car’s radiator. Then he starts the car and lets it run at 25 RPM for 30 minutes. I tried the tricks in my garage. But since I don’t have a big fan, I drove the vehicle for 150 miles at highway speed. In the end the check light was still on and the vehicle was running fine with a weird exhaust smell. I scanned the vehicle with a diagnostic scan tool, and the cat error code with P0420 and P0430 were still there.
I cleared the code and drove the vehicle a few more miles. After that I refilled the gas tank with gasoline and the code and light never came back. That proves that Scotty Kilmer’s trick works.
However, I did not notice any short or long term fuel system damage. So if he’s wondering, is it safe to put lacquer thinner in the gas tank? The answer is yes. However, you must follow the steps above if you want the same or similar result. In my case, there was no damage to the plastic and rubber seals in the fuel supply system.
Frequently Asked Questions – Frequently Asked Questions
Does lacquer thinner work on catalytic converters?
The direct answer is yes. Lacquer thinner in the gas tank can clean and remove stubborn substances in the catalytic converter. However, you must follow the instructions above when pouring lacquer thinner into the gas tank. Over-pouring it will increase the chances of damaging the plastic and rubber seals in the fuel delivery system.
Is Lacquer Thinner Good For Your Car?
Lacquer thinner can damage rubber seals and plastic components in fuel delivery systems. Therefore, you should not always run with it. Instead, you can only use it when you have a clogged catalytic converter. Even in that, do not over-pour it. You only have to pour a gallon into a half tank of gas.
Will a gasoline engine work with paint thinner?
Project Farm has shown that a gasoline engine can run on paint thinner. However, he demonstrated it using a carburetor engine. Newer vehicles now use fuel injectors. I don’t know if it will cause any catastrophe on newer engines. So it’s essential to stay away from it unless you want to use your engine for an experiment.
What is a lacquer thinner substitute?
This depends on the job you are doing. If you’re spray painting, mineral spirits, acetone, or paint thinner are a perfect substitute for lacquer thinner. They are good products for thinning spray paints. On the other hand, if you are looking for a solvent to unclog your catalytic converter, cataclean is the right alternative.
What happens if you put acetone in your gas tank?
Don’t put acetone in your gas tank because it can be unpredictable. Some people bet it damages rubber fuel supply components like gaskets and o-rings, while others say it’s abrasive and evaporates more quickly. While all of this is true to a degree, you must understand that putting acetone in your gas tank will reduce the lubricating properties of gasoline. As a result, you can damage the rubber components of your car.
Can I use thinner as fuel?
No, you can’t just use thinner instead of gasoline. Using thinner instead of gasoline will cause a catastrophe on the plastic and rubber components of the fuel delivery system. Apart from this, it can even blow up your engine. Therefore, you should refrain from using only fuel in gasoline. Also, do not use thinner in gasoline on a regular basis.
to finish
Putting lacquer thinner in the gas tank to clean the catalytic converter is quite effective. However, you don’t have to pour more than 1 gallon into a half tank of gas. And when doing so, follow the above directives. In everything you do, don’t add lacquer thinner to the engine oil because it will do more harm than good.
Some people also believe that lacquer thinner helps clean engine sludge. I do not recommend that approach. I posted an article explaining how to clean engine sludge. Check it out and follow the approach religiously if you have sludge in your engine.
