The Cataclean fuel additive is a popular product that promises to clean your fuel system and make it run better. It even claims to improve your gas mileage and power, but is all of this true?
What are the side effects of using Cataclean? Is it safe for your car? We’ll answer these questions and more in this article.
Table of contents
- What is Cataclean?
- Does Cataclean Work?
- Problems After Using Cataclean
- 1. Wear on Engine Parts
- 2. Problems with Your Catalytic Converter
- 3. Problems with Your Emissions System
- 4. It Can Damage The Oxygen Sensor
- 5. It Can Clog The Fuel Injectors
- 6. It Can Cause Smoke
- Can Cataclean damage your car?
- Can I use Cataclean with half a tank of gas?
- Can I use Cataclean on a full tank of gas?
What is Cataclean?
Cataclean is a product that is used to restore a clogged fuel injector. According to the manufacturer’s claims, it restores and maintains your exhaustive fuel system, restores your engine performance, helps in improving MPG, reduces emissions, and reduces hydrocarbon emission by up to 50%. The list goes on.
Does Cataclean Work?
Yes, Cataclean works. From our experiments, you should be able to see an improvement in the way your car runs after using it for about three weeks. However, if you do not follow the instructions carefully, then it might not give you the results that you want.
It’s easy to use because all you need to do is pour half a bottle into each tankful of gasoline (which is usually 16 gallons). The process takes less than five minutes per tankful so there shouldn’t be much hassle involved in getting everything set up correctly before filling up at the pump station again.
You can use this product to clean the fuel system and fuel injectors. It will also clean the engine, and it’s a good idea to run this through your exhaust system as well. The product works very well on older vehicles that have been sitting for years without being driven.
The Cataclean fuel additive is a good product for cleaning the entire vehicle and ensuring that everything runs smoothly again, so if you have an older car or motorcycle that hasn’t been used in years, then this might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Problems After Using Cataclean
Wear on parts of your engine, issues with your catalytic converter, problems with your emissions systems, oxygen sensor damage, fuel injector clog, and fumes from the exhaust are some of the problems your car may encounter after using Cataclean.
Cataclean is quite an efficient product that does what the manufacturers say it does. No doubt. However, we have observed that there are some problems you can encounter with your car when it’s used too often. Here are some of those problems listed below:
1. Wear on Engine Parts
One of the problems after using Cataclean is premature wear on your car’s engine parts. These parts include fuel injectors, turbochargers, and catalytic converters, all of which are crucial components in any vehicle’s operation.
If these parts become damaged by using this product, the performance of your vehicle will decrease substantially and could even lead to major repairs or an entirely new engine altogether.
You should also be aware of the fact that Cataclean Fuel Additive can cause problems with your engine. This can lead to decreased performance and even a complete engine failure if not addressed immediately.
Some people might think this is an issue only worth worrying about when using an aftermarket product like Cataclean, but it’s actually something anyone who uses any type of fuel additive should know about.
2. Problems with Your Catalytic Converter
If your catalytic converter fails, it can have serious consequences. As opposed to how to clean a clogged muffler or tailpipe, catalytic converters clean the exhaust fumes of your car before they leave the engine and enter the atmosphere.
However, when this device is compromised by additives such as the Cataclean fuel additive, it can no longer do its job effectively. When that happens, harmful gases like carbon monoxide (CO) will be released into the air instead of being cleaned out.
3. Problems with Your Emissions System
The Cataclean fuel additive helps to clean your fuel system and increase the mileage of your vehicle. It’s a popular product that many people have used and even recommended, but it can cause problems with your emissions system.
Cataclean products often contain chemicals like detergent, surfactants, and alcohol which are added to the gas tank in order to break down gunk buildup in the engine.
While these chemicals do work well for cleaning out parts of an engine, they also interfere with sensors that regulate the proper operation of your vehicle’s emission control system (ECS).
4. It Can Damage The Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor is responsible for monitoring the amount of oxygen in your car’s exhaust fumes. If it fails, it could cause a few problems:
Your car won’t run efficiently and will use more fuel than necessary.
You may experience poor performance from the engine which can lead to stalling or rough idling when you’re driving at low speeds.
Your Check Engine Light will come on, which is usually a sign that there’s something wrong with one of your emissions systems.
To avoid these issues, it’s important that you check your vehicle’s oxygen sensor regularly by performing a diagnostic test (also known as OBD II testing) regularly after using a Cataclean Fuel Additive.
5. It Can Clog The Fuel Injectors
While Cataclean is a powerful cleaning agent that can effectively remove deposits from the engine, it has been known to cause problems with fuel injectors.
Fuel injectors are extremely important to your car’s performance and should be treated with great care. Cataclean contains chemicals that can clog up these delicate mechanisms, leading to decreased gas mileage and even engine failure.
6. It Can Cause Smoke
If you’ve used Cataclean and your car is smoking, it could be caused by one of a few things. The first thing to check is the exhaust system. This can cause a lot of smoke to come out of the tailpipe or muffler area. If there is an issue with the catalytic converter or oxygen sensors, it will cause problems with fuel efficiency and make your car run rough.
Another possibility for smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe could be that there are carbon deposits inside your engine block or cylinder head (if it’s not getting enough oxygen).
This can lead to engine failure because these deposits get so thick they start restricting airflow through the valves and pistons.
How to Fix Problems Caused by Cataclean
If you are experiencing problems after using the Cataclean fuel additive, there are several things you can do to remedy the situation:
Remove the Cataclean from your fuel system.
Cataclean has been known to cause problems with some vehicles’ fuel pumps and injectors, so if it’s not clear what the problem is yet, it may be best to remove the additive until you figure out what’s causing the issue.
The next step is to flush the fuel system. This will help remove all of the gunk that has been stuck in your system and allow you to start fresh.
Use a fuel injector cleaner or a fuel system cleaner, both of which will help clean out your car’s engine and injectors but they do not necessarily do it in the same way.
If you use one or both of these products correctly, they can work wonders in cleaning up any leftover residue that remains inside your engine after using Cataclean liquid. Use a fuel system cleaner that works with your vehicle type, fuel type, and vehicle type.
Remove all traces of Cataclean from your tank and install a new filter. If these steps don’t fix your problem, however, it’s time to get serious about repairing your car.
Before doing anything else, flush out all traces of Cataclean from your fuel system. Then replace any components that could have been damaged or ruined by using this product: oxygen sensor(s), fuel injectors, catalytic converter(s), emissions system components (including sensors), and/or filters (such as air filters).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cataclean damage your car?
Yes, Cataclean can damage your car if you do not regulate its usage. Use it sparingly. A 3-month gap is ideal in order to avoid issues such as wear on engine parts, and problems with your catalytic converter, emissions system, and oxygen sensor.
Will Cataclean clear check engine light?
Yes, Cataclean will clear your check engine light as long as your catalytic converter is not physically damaged, and as long as you’ve not been driving over 5,000 miles with a blinking check engine light.
Can I use Cataclean with half a tank of gas?
Cataclean should be added to approximately 1/4 tank of gas. Pour the entire content in the bottle into your gas tank, and then drive for about 15 minutes before refueling.
Can I use Cataclean on a full tank of gas?
It is not advisable to use Cataclean on a full tank of gas. In order to get the best out of it, use it with about 1/4 tank of gas, drive for a while, and then, top up the gas.
Conclusion
Problems that your car can experience after using Cataclean include wear to your engine parts, damage to the catalytic converter, damage to the oxygen sensor, problems with the emission system, clogged fuel injector, and smoke coming out of the exhaust.
So, what should you do if you have problems after using Cataclean? The first thing to do is to flush your fuel system. This will remove any traces of the product that may be causing problems and see if that fixes things for you. If not, then it’s time for some repairs on your vehicle.

Ugo is a passionate car enthusiast with a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree and hands-on experience in troubleshooting and fixing automobiles.
I combine my electrical and mechanical engineering knowledge with practical skills to address car-related issues.
My love for cars and dedication to educating others led to the creation of Fixandtroubleshoot.com!