I’m looking for some guidance. I have a 2013 fl2 td4 with over 150000 miles.
It stinks when started and continues when driving, the smell of soulful which points to a catalytic converter failure. However there are no other signs, no clouds of smoke from the exhaust or rattles that I can hear and no engine warning light or overheating. Is there a cleaning fluid I can add to the fuel which will clean the catalytic, assuming it’s clogged ? Or does anyone have any other ideas ?

Never used one but I’ve heard of CAT cleaners.

Do catalytic convertors become clogged ?

I know Diesel Particulate Filters can become clogged if regeneration process fails to keep it clear of soot. Jules

There are some YouTube videos of people cleaning catalytic converters with mixed results. Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

I’ve seen adverts for catalytic converter cleaners on the internet and was hoping someone who’d tried one could tell me what the result was. I’m in a tiny village in Switzerland at the moment and wanted to know what to look for on our next drive that passes a garage/car parts shop. It could be a dead animal in there from the smell.

Yes cats can clog up, sometimes to the point the engine stalls after a few seconds of running.
The best way to clean a cat is to drive for 2 hours at motorway speeds.
Cleaners you put in the fuel seldom work, unless you take the vehicle on an extended drive, again at motorway speeds. 2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Soon to be sold.
Hyundai Ionic 5 Ultimate on order.
Gone. 2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE.

Love it - davep1 saying it could be a dead animal and Nodge68 agreeing that cats can clog up

I am leaning more to dead rat. I checked exhaust pressure with my hand and seems fine. The pong is appalling. If all is ok on the run back to Calais I think it could be an advantage as no one will want to stop the car.

Dead rat smell or rotten eggs / stink bomb smell ? If it’s the latter , hydrogen sulphide
, it’s the classic sign of a failing catalytic converters . 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

The difficulty is there are no other signs. There seems good pressure at the exhaust and the smoke is clear. No overheating and no engine warning lights. Hence my original request for suggestions.

Got it up on a ramp today and found a chicken minus head and legs. I think a fox took it and hid it there with the intention of picking it up later. It was undamaged so wasn’t thrown there. Definitely one for the archive.

Well OK then. Are you sure Black Magic was not involved?

Well there were some sacrifices made and chanting all night, but I think we’d all agree that’s normal