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2010 MDX Advanced here. Owned since brand new. Currently around 187k. Only used premium 93 here in East Coast (NY) from name brand fuel stations (Exxon-Mobil and Shell mostly). Initially cleared the code with OBD2 scanner. The light came back on after couple days of driving. Okay time to look for a solution.
After reading through many forums and watching several dozen youtube videos, I settled on trying Scotty Kilmer’s fix for this issue, using LACQUER THINNER in fuel tank. I also searched deep and wide for results/risks of this method. It appears most Honda/Acura drivers who went this route successfully cleared the code. I also found a Nissan owner who said this method fouled up his spark plugs. So I approached cautiously hoping less (thinner) is more. I poured 1 quart of lacquer thinner into the fuel tank when fuel tank was at half way point on dash meter (tank is 21 gallons, but half full on dash DOES NOT exactly equate to 10.5 gallons). I had a long distance drive, so I drove in varying highway speeds and RPMs until low fuel light came on. Filled up. Cleared the code again, and it hasn’t been back on—I’ve put at least 1,000 miles on the vehicle since this method. So far, so good—good enough to pass annual inspection in New York.
I read a pretty good post on one of the threads detailing why this method works. In short, lacquer thinner will not fully burn up in the ICE and will flow to the catalytic converter where it will clean the converter—I’m not too mechanical sound, but that’s the gist I got from that reading.
I also know it’s a temp fix but so far the light hasn’t come back on. YMMV.
you risked putting something other than gasoline in your fuel tank and and potential gunk up your fuel injectors, plugs, the combustion chamber, etc..for what?? why didn't you just drop the cat and pour lacquer thinner in if you feel like that could "clean the cat"
this reads like a terrifying novel or an accident on the side of the road you can't help but rubberneck..
good luck, i hope there aren't any downstream repercussions for your car...
Hands down, this is the craziest idea to fix the emissions check code (cat efficiency below threshold).
You've taken a chance with so many other components along the way for literally worthless for catalytic converters, which are almost gone in anyway.
Fuel tank (plastic), fuel filter (nylon mesh), fuel pump (plastic impeller), fuel lines (partly rubber hoses), fuel injectors (very sensetive coating of seats), spark plugs, engine seals and gaskets, etc.
Would never follow this guide.
Hands down, this is the craziest idea to fix the emissions check code (cat efficiency below threshold).
You've taken a chance with so many other components along the way for literally worthless for catalytic converters, which are almost gone in anyway.
Fuel tank (plastic), fuel filter (nylon mesh), fuel pump (plastic impeller), fuel lines (partly rubber hoses), fuel injectors (very sensetive coating of seats), spark plugs, engine seals and gaskets, etc.
Would never follow this guide.
At a Concentration of 1 to 40 and with the condition that it can be mixed with gasoline, the lacquer thinneris safe for plastic parts, especially if the exposure was short-term.
Hello, all! Quick update. Currently the MDX has 188,781 on odometer (right under 2k miles after the experimental treatment). No dashlights, no catastrophic failures, no sign of issues from the treatment so far. Let's hope it stays that way! I'll update again in few months!
I know this is late. But, I thought I'd share a bit about my recent exp with a 08 MDX with around 170k. Just got the vehicle a few days ago and decided to hook up code reader. The mdx runs pretty good, so I was surprised to see a pending P0420. Trying not to put a lot of money into it being a 5th car. So, I used a much less controversial 'fix'...
Basically, dropped the j pipe and added a threaded extension between the down stream o2 sensor and bung. This effectively pulls the sensor out of the exh stream and lowers the voltage sent back to the ecu.
I've also used spark plug anti foulers as well on other cars. But, that was more of a pain as it required drilling one end out to fit the sensor. Nowadays you can find extensions on amazon or ebay for a few bucks.
Lastly, before anyone chimes in, yes I'll be checking over the engine. Already chg'd oil, chg'd pcv, chk'd air filter and ordered new plugs. Also pulled the int manifold, tb and front valve cover. Found a lot of buildup. My belief is the previous owner(s) didnt do maint frequently enough.
Luckily, I have spare manifolds, throttle bodies, valve covers and new gaskets laying around. So, all I had to do was swap out the offending pieces... Later all.
09-08-2022, 12:15 PM
Thank you sir. Hoping for the best.
