1999 - Volume #23, Issue #3, Page #39

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Hot Water Solves Loss Of Power On Car Or Pickup

Hot Water Solves Loss Of Power On Car Or Pickup FARM HOME Cars 23-3-39 J.T. Schmidt, Abbotsford, B.C.: "Here's an idea that might help anyone experiencing loss of power on a car or pickup fitted with a catalytic converter. "One day I tried to pass a semi going about 60 mph in my 1986 Cadillac and couldn't do it. When I got home I started trying to figure out what was wrong. I know my car pretty good and decided that since there's rarely a problem with the car's fuel injection system, the exhaust system was probably the problem. I figured there was some kind of congestion or blockage going on so here's what I did. "With the engine running, I poured a jar of hot water slowly into the throttle body. Since the engine was hot, the water turned into steam which I figured would clean out the catalytic converter. I took the car for a spin right after I was done and sure enough, my problem was solved. "As you add water you have to have your hand on the throttle and rev the motor at a pretty fast speed so you won't stall the engine. The speed also helps to blow out the carbon as it's cleaned out of the converter. "I can't say this idea will work in all cases but it's worth a try and I don't think it will hurt anything if it doesn't work."