Hi Everyone, My 2003 Honda CRV-EX has had this problem for quite awhile now. The check engine lights goes on and off for the past 5 yrs. especially with weather increments usually cold and when I am getting of the freeway????? When it was on I took the vehicle to the Honda Dealer and they told me I needed a new Cat. and O2 sensors. Well when the check engine light goes out (around the time I need to get it smogged) I rush it to the smog place and it passes with flying colors. The Honda Dealer wants $3,500. to fix which I can not afford. My engine is making a a rubbing noise kind of sound just when I first take off???? So I am wondering if it was the Cat why would it pass smog when light is out. Is this really the problem??? Can it be my tranny that is causing it and Honda dealer is trying to rip me off?? I have not had my fuel injection serviced since I bought this used vehicle with 58,000 miles on it. It now has 134,000. I have however kept up with all other maintenance requirements. Can anybody shed some light at the end of this tunnel as to how I should proceed. I just want the engine light out for good and would like my car to run better. Please Help, Debbie.

 

Without knowing which codes and possibly having a video of the sound nobody is going to be able to help you with the description you gave. It is vague at best. If the dealer said catalytic converter then I would trust their judgment - even though the price is a complete rip off, but that is what you get for going to a stealership in the first place. Although most typically use MSRP prices for repairs to make a good coin and the converter is almost $1,600 itself at full price before tax. From the link below it can be had for under $1,200:

List Part #2 -

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...PIPE+-+MUFFLER

O2 Sensors are ~$300 and ~$400 each MSRP before tax - list numbers 15 and 16 in the above link. Do the math and they are still a bit steep but not too far off the mark. You could purchase the parts yourself and do the work yourself and save around half.

Either way, next time it might help if you did some research on your own.