can a catalytic converter be cleaned?

Answer 1

No, but you can hollow it out provided you don't have to take it for a smog test. The new ones are tri-mode or something like that. Made by Owens/Corning. They are not too expensive and do the best job to help keep the environment clean. The older ones with smog pumps only helped to form acid rain.

Answer 2

I DO know that a catalytic converter works on the principal of SUPER HEATING thus SUPER BURNING emissions. The way this works is by using PLATINUM in the converter. When air passes over platinum, an interesting thing occurs. The air heats up to the point of getting very hot. The reason these converters are so expensive is that the platinum is expensive.
I would GUESS that you could "UN-GUM" or CLEAN the converter by immersing it in a liquid that would CUT THROUGH packed-on CARBON. I do NOT know what this substance is or would be. You could do research and find out. Perhaps the solvents used to UN-GUM or CLEAN the inside of an engine such as an engine additive would work because these additives are sold to clean up the burned carbon and other substances which cling to or "gum-up" hot engine parts within the combustion chamber. Valves and pistons etc. You may need to experiment unless someone comes up with a CERTAIN "solution" so to speak!

Answer 3

Not really. A cat's structure is similar to a sponge except that it's organised in a honeycomb structure. Also, it's brittle so even if there are carbon deposits in the middle, there's no way to get them out. The only thing you an do is what's known as an Italian tune-up. Find a clear and safe stretch of road, drive off in first gear, put your car into second and floor the pedal until the rev limiter cuts in. Hold this speed for as long as you dare and after a couple of rounds of this, your cars exhaust system will be relieved of some of the carbon deposits. don't be alarmed if you see balck puffs coming out the exhaust pipe, that's the carbon. Try not to do this in front of law enforcement officers.