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Hello,
I know this is very late in the game, but I recently replaced the spark plugs on my 2004 Sienna XLE (AWD). While doing this, I also replaced the gasket on the intake manifold. In the process of putting everything back together, I (due to ignorance) used so silicon vacuum grease to “improve” the seal between some of the intake components. Shortly after doing the repairs, a 0420 code was triggered and I suspect that I contaminated and ruined both the bank 1, sensor 1 and the bank 1 catalytic converter.
While doing some research for a solution, I came across articles that spoke to the issue of silicon contamination and damage to O2 sensors and/or catalytic converters due to the use of some silicon gasket compounds and/or contaminated fuels. I realized of course that the use of silicon grease in an area of the engine that allows it to “migrate” into the combustion areas was a most likely a bad idea.
In the process of looking for an economical solution, I came across your videos which were very informative. At the same time, I did come across a more scientific paper from a Ford laboratory where they dealt with the issue of silicon contamination. In the paper, they mention two methods for removing the silicon contamination from the catalytic converter that worked very well. One was soaking in hydrofluoric acid (HF) and the other was an ultrasonic soaking in soapy water. This, of course, deals with silicon contamination. I suspect that the other more common contamination source might be petroleum byproducts contamination where other cleaning techniques might work. I am attaching the paper for your information.
Thank you for your very informative and helpful videos.
Gerry