Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

homestead - Re: [Homestead] Catalytic converter notes

homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Homestead mailing list

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Don Bowen KI6DIU <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Catalytic converter notes
  • Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:01:20 -0800

At 2/19/2008, you wrote:
He also divulged that he cannot legally remove the converter but that
some muffler shops will do that, sans service ticket.

On post '98 vehicles the oxygen sensors are at the input and output of the cat therefore removing the cat will not turn off the light. In some states the safety check is starting to include a simple check engine light test. The light must go on with the key then go out after the engine starts.

Anyone have experience?

Some cats plug when bad. My Wife's Honda did just that, no power, sluggish, etc. The cat was easily unbolted and a rather loud test drive confirmed a plugged cat. I took a long screwdriver and broke out the contents so she could drive the car. The light stayed on and the car had slightly worse mileage but it ran fine. Then cam the real fun. A call to the local Honda dealer and they wanted over $800 to replace it and they would not sell me a cat I could put on my self. It has just four bolts and is a 10 minute job.

I called around and no one but the dealer could replace the cat and no one would sell me a replacement. My son called several out of state places and only one would ship to California and they backed out the next day. I called my son who runs an auto parts store out of state and he ordered it then shipped it to me, total cost $200. I installed it and it is still good now four years later.

My pickup had the check engine light come on. I have a code reader, <$70 on Amazon, and found out it was a bad cat. Again I called around and the replacement was $1200 and only at the dealer. As there were no power or mileage problems I kept driving it until I was in North Carolina where I had it replaced for $200. The pickup cat is welded in and I do not currently have a shop. That was three years ago and now something has broken inside and the check engine light is back on. The codes indicate a failed cat. My son is sending me a cat and a local welding shop will put it in, total cost will be around $200. Still well below the $1200 dealer cost even having to do it twice.



Don Bowen Awl Knotted Up KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page