I have a 2000 civic HX with a crack in the exhaust manifold that is setting off the check engine light. A new system from honda is a minimum of $450, but I have found this system that uses a bolt on style cat converter instead of an integrated one for merely $220. Link: http://www.blacksautoparts.com...D=101

Does anyone know if this will work and what the difference is between the DX and the HX exhaust manifold? The website and the people I called about it claim it will work on my car, but I am completely confused as the DX and HX do have different part numbers from the dealership. Any information about this would be greatly helpful!

Thanks

 

I don't know how that would set off the check engine light. I have driven my car with a hole(about 1" diameter) in the header and it didn't set off the cel. What code are you getting?

I'm not sure what you mean by the bolt style cat. The one that bolts on after the header? If that is what you are talking about, it won't work because the exhaust B-pipe is longer on your car due to no cat being there.

 

The stock exhaust manifold on both the DX and the HX has a cat-converter attached to it (unable to be detached without cutting), but I have found an aftermarket manifold that has them as two seperate entities that bolt together so they can be individually removed/replaced in the future rather than having to buy the entire system again.
As far as the oxygen sensor issue is concerned, the HX version has a very sensitive, and EXPENSIVE O2 sensor that can be thrown off very easily. It is a five wire sensor that is specifically designed for this style of civic in order for it to get phenomenal fuel mileage. I originally thought the same thing as you, that this crack should not set the check engine light on, but I have learned otherwise. According to some mechanic friends of mine (not Honda mechanics), this crack is allowing fresh air into the system, making my computer believe that it is running too lean and setting off the lights (even American made cars are sensitive enough to catch this). The code is P1163 and P1164, both claim an issue with bank 1 O2 sensor, but I know the sensor is good since I just replaced it thinking this would solve the problem (and wasted $300 buying it).


Modified by sbblumhof at 3:17 PM 7/30/2008

 

Hi-temp JB weld. Its 5 bucks and worth the try, i sealed up an exhaust manifold with it once.