Catalytic Converter Cleaning

Hey guys, I drive a 2017 TRD Sport 4x4 and I took my truck to the dealer for a quick diagnosis on a separate issue, but in the inspection, he mentioned it sounded like there was some debris inside the catalytic converter, which would make sense since I just had the dirtiest offroading trip I've ever taken. I tried doing some simple Google searches to remove it, but I can only find videos where people have cut them off. Does anyone know how to remove and clean one of these things?

 

They don't get debris from off roading unless you had mud flowing up your tailpipe.

They are welded into the exhaust system. You don't remove them for "cleaning" or anything else.

 

How can there be debris in the catalytic converter?

It would have to get sucked in through the intake.

 

So, funny story. Definitely had muddy water flowing back through the exhaust

 

I learned a lesson really fast about checking water depth before driving through it. Intake did not go under, but the tailpipe was submerged until the tow got there

 

I’ve never heard any stories of debris getting into a catalytic converter due to the exhaust system being submerged in water.

I have however had a catalytic converter break down from old age and have loose stuff rattling around in it. It was quite a bit older than your 2017 though.

In any case, I wouldn’t worry about it, unless you sense issues while driving the truck.

 

That puts my mind at ease. Thanks for the replies. I just fixed her back up from all the stuff I broke so I guess I'm just maintenance happy

 

If it's sitting submerged and not running you could have it fill the exhaust. Generally an unlikely scenario, though.

OP if it was submerged for a time you may want to check your rear diff, unless you have a breather relocation kit already.

 

I don't have a breather relocation kit, but after this last trip, I'm getting one in a week. I spotted and smelled a leak in the front diff so I replaced the axle seal and flushed/refilled the front diff, checked the rear and refilled it, and also had to replace the starter but after all that, seems like it's running fine with no leaks. The breathers are not clogged but if I plan to do more offroading, and I do, I'm getting a relocation kit.

 

Was the dealer saying that they could clean it?

 

Nah they just remarked about it. I went in to get my airbag light looked at because it stayed on. There weren't any trouble codes and it shut off as I left the dealer.

 

You do not get debris in there from off-roading...

(Sometimes the ceramic can break (in case of impact, sometimes due to age or defects) and then you do have some rattling in there. You don't necessarily clean that out...

If you had mud up there - coming from your tailpipe, you no longer have a taco...

I was going to make a joke... but then I found this:

(and I'm not promoting this - I'm not sure that is is not a gag!)

 

haha thanks for the info, I'll probably just forget about it at this point, it doesn't sound like it's a major issue and there's no emissions testing in my state

 

A sound of debris bouncing about in the converter normally means some of the honeycomb material has broken loose.

Are there any dents in the converter from your recent off-road excursion?

 

might be something stuck between the cat and the heat shield

 

Is it Friday

 

Nope, it was mostly mud and the sort that I was driving through, I was hoping to find some clay or something to climb but our trip was cut short haha

 

OP, does your engine breathe (inhale) through its tailpipe?

 

it cant get over the axle bend and past the muffler, the exhaust would blow it out, the insides of the convertor are prob broken