Hey forum, need some help....
I am not much knoledgable about cars, want to get to know more.
Have a 97 honda civic LX, manual.. My CEL is on and it gives me a error of "catalytic efficeincy low on bank 1" P0420 code... when i checked using the CEL connector it gave me the code for catalytic coverter gone bad. I wanted to change it, so went to autozone... found out they m ight be 700 bukcs... aint spendin that much money... any other ideaas? can i run it like that... with the CEL.on? woudl it create problems.. I am in Florida,, so no emmision checks required....

on another note... whats the best manual to refer to get and udnerstand my car..

 

Your situation is one where the catalytic converter is actually the lower half of your exhaust manifold.

I used to have a Civic CX and was in the same boat. I ended up purchasing the cheapest aftermarket header I could find [PaceSetter]. I then purchased a generic catalytic converter from AutoZone for under $100. The header and cat ended up costing less than the OEM replacement.

HELM makes the best manual for Hondas. You should be able to pick one up at your dealership for around $60. It's well worth the cash.


Modified by DaX at 4:34 PM 1/3/2005

 

check this out, just ordered manifold and converter because my manifold is cracked, $200 vs $800 to get one from Honda

http://search.ebay.com/manifol...rtyZ3

 

you can get the "Haynes Repair Manual" for honda civic and acura integra. i got mine from autozone, amazon has it also, its pretty good

 

The 97 is covered under a 15yr 140k or so extended warranty on the emissions equipment. Take it to a honda dealer... they should fix it for free if the problem is truely cat/o2.

Have experience with this... had my sisters car taken in for the cat problem.. they ordered parts and it was a free fix. Her car wasn't dealership bought or anything.

 

haynes is ok at best for getting started with a car, but the helms is the best by far. chilton isn't bad either.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by splitime &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The 97 is covered under a 15yr 140k or so extended warranty on the emissions equipment. </TD></TR></TABLE>
It's 14 years or 150,000 miles. We replace them all the time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chiovnidca &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's 14 years or 150,000 miles. We replace them all the time. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Heh, i posted the info up a month or so ago for the local chicago guys... i knew it was something like that... my memory sucks

 

So do i Just go in to the honda shop and tell them my cat seems to be giving me prob and so check what might be wrong with it. casue i dont have any warranty info or anythign on them...

 

tell me one thing first do you have emissions testing in flordia?

 

I bought a used cat from a junkyard for $75 (but it is illegal in CA to buy/sell used catalytic converters),

usually if its el cheapo junkyard they will sell it to you though. I dont know the laws in Florida

and I passed smog the next week with flying colors, just some advice..

 

No testing in florida.

unless the cops write you up... That only happens if your really unlucky or STUPID.

 

there is no testing in florida at all... thats why i was thinking maybe i can just gut it out..
anyways... i guess i can try taking in to a honda dealer..
what happens if i dont change my cat converter and let it run like this.. how long will it run? anything serious that can happen if i dont do anythign and just keep going....

 

the o2s before and after your cat tell your motor howw effiecent it is running. the o2s are always switching lean,rich,lean,rich. if the cat is not doing its job or breaking down the exhaust, it has the potential to damaged your motor over a period of time do to wrong info to the pcm. one reason that cats are so exspensive is the rare earth metals in them. most cats after i believe 96 have rodium, palladium, amd platinum inside to counteract with the exhaust and to break it down. on a lighter note i bought a used cat off a freind for 10 bux and ia was able to pass the smog test.

 

how do you find out about the warranty? my friend has a 98 dx sedan with this problem but the dealer didn't say anything about warranty coverage...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HellbillY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the o2s before and after your cat tell your motor howw effiecent it is running. the o2s are always switching lean,rich,lean,rich. if the cat is not doing its job or breaking down the exhaust, it has the potential to damaged your motor over a period of time do to wrong info to the pcm. one reason that cats are so exspensive is the rare earth metals in them. most cats after i believe 96 have rodium, palladium, amd platinum inside to counteract with the exhaust and to break it down. on a lighter note i bought a used cat off a freind for 10 bux and ia was able to pass the smog test.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wrong. the aftercat o2 won't affect the motor.
Here's what you do. Gut out your cat, or get a test pipe on ebey.
Then put in a sim chip to get rid of teh CEL.

 

Get a catco direct replacement from summitracing.com. It will cost you about $125 if I remember correctly.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bri &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how do you find out about the warranty? my friend has a 98 dx sedan with this problem but the dealer didn't say anything about warranty coverage...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Take the cars VIN, call Honda of America to confirm it fits in the extended warranty. If its a 96-00 it should.... Then goto the dealership and tell them that HoA said its a warranty issue... the dealership will probably charge a fee to pull the code and assess the problem... if its emissions they will cover everything and cancel the fee. If its something else... they'll sock you with the silly inspection fee.

 

I was told that 97 honda is covered under 14 yrs, 150 K warranty for emissions, but when I called up american honda, they told me its 8yrs, 80K... any one know anythign about it?
any help, my cat's really acting up now...

 

anyone help me on this? was i being conned by american honda..?