first post, hello all. Im new to this forum and this is my first post.. so here goes my issue! 1998 honda accord v-tec v-6. car threw a code and now have a check engine light. Took car to dealer and after inspection was informed the cat was shot/going bad. $1100.00 fix for replacement cat... well im figuring there are alternatives, like just cutting the cat out and straight pipe to the mufflers, or aftermarket cat. ONLY problem i can think of is the tech at Honda says if you use aftermarket cat it will "probably" continue to throw codes, dont really wanna have to stare at engine light forever, SO is there a trick ?, something that can be done to trick the computer into not throwing a code ? im not looking for high dollar performance mods or fancy stuff.. this car will probably be traded this year anyways.. just looking for simple alternative fix. much thanks .

 

will to pass the test u need a cat i dont know y they say its $1100 but the str8 pipe will work
but u cant pass the test.

the check eng light is just a bulb take off the cluster and take out the bulb.

 

Often it's the O2 sensor mounted downstream from the suspected cat that's the problem (It lies). It's sole purpose is tattle on the converter.
I'd suspect the sensor b4 I condemn the Converter

 

Defouler trick?

Might help and is cheap if it's the fix.

 

TheMuffinMan, you posted too quickly for me haha.

The defouler trick: Go to an autoparts store and buy a spark plug defouler (usually sold in packs of two). Take one and drill out the bottom.

Screw the o2 sensor into the defouler you just drill the bottom out of.

Screw the second defouler on.

Screw the whole piece into the o2 sensor bung in your exhaust.

 

I thought this over after I posted.

This will get you to pass any inspections you want, but you may notice performance issues since your car needs the o2 sensors to work properly in order to deliver sufficient fuel. You may want to get your o2 tested to see if it's reading right. If it isn't, i suggest buying a new one. I use the defouler trick for inspections only since I don't have a cat for my setup and my ecu is converted to obd1 and doesn't require the second o2.

 

We can split credit since you explained hahaha

 

Well if I were you I would not straight pipe the exhaust. The spark plug defouler idea I haven't tried yet but I might later on down the line. If I was going to trade the car in I would go the aftermarket cat. route. and I would use Catco converters. I worked for a muffler shop and we only used that brand and we never had a comeback, unless the car needed other work. They are usually priced pretty good too.

 

WOW, thanks for all the input guys, we are from Indiana and have no inspections to pass here ! so yes there are alot of straight pipes. Thompsons honda of Terre Haute was were the car was taken to get this issue sorted, I asked about a possable 02 sensor and was told that the sensor was fine and it was sending a code for "detearating cat"...something or another. car has close to 150,000 on the OD, so it wouldnt surprise me if this was a true issue.. so here is another question/statement, If i were to cut the cat, and do the recomended defouler mod, Im sure the car would probably perform a little better*good thing* but is it a pretty much guarantee that it will clear the engine light ?... my wife is gonna complain about it as its her car, if she is looking at it.. she's picky. Im also gonna price out the Catco's . Thanks again to everyone for all this input, im glad i asked !

 

Ok, looked up Catcos.. way cheaper soution, thanks mscansan.. one big question.. there are alot of cat options, when ordering how do i know wich ones wich ? what i need to order ? i need to go get under the car and do some looking, i know its got dual exhaust tips, wondering if thereis true dual exhaust under it.. ive never paid attention "wifes car".. hmmmm

 

Ah whoa whoa.

You don't have to cut the cat for the defouler mod. You can leave the "bad" cat in and just unscrew the O2 sensor and do the mod! That's what it's there for!

 

but if the cats bad, wouldnt it be wise to just get rid of it ? free up the flow and let the car breath ? or is this a no-no ? i appreciate your input ! thanks again

 

Yes if the cat is truly the culprit, replacing it, with whatever you choose, is the only way to go. Tricking the ECU with an O2 defouler won't be of any benefit if the cat is starting to clog up. I don't think it will do anything if the O2 sensor is bad ether.

I always though the O2 defouler was for a properly working SHO2 sensor that was being used with a test pipe/high flow cat and an OBD2 ECU?????

 

Yes, if it is actually the a faulty cat converter, you should replace it. I forgot to state that I only use the defouler trick when I have to pass inspections because I'm converted from obd2 to obd1. So when it comes time for inspection, I'm going to have to put the obd2 computer back in and trick the car into thinking it does have a cat converter. Basically, the second o2 sensor tells your ecu, if the cat-converter is doing it's job. It sounds like it's doing the job in your case. It measures the difference between the exhaust at the first o2 and the second o2 to make sure the cat is actually catalyzing the exhaust going in. In your case, it would benefit you to keep the second o2 working the way it should, unless you're in a situation like me, which you're not.

So yes you should replace yours with a high-flow cat. Catco ftw.

 

If it's truly a bad cat then it won't help much.

But my guess is it's a "dying" cat and the O2 is the issue.

 

http://www.car-sound.com/

get a smog compliant aftermarket cat

 

Ok let me start over
98 accord v-tec v-6 bone stock other than a k&n
I have no emmisions tests to pass.
check engine light is on.
car went to certified Honda dealer.
Tech says cat is bad, or going bad thus the code.
i asked if it could be a bad O2 sensor, was told by honda tech the sensor was good.
bill $1100.00 to replace bad cat.
I dont wanna spend that much.
looking for a way to clear the code.
car still runs great.. just has engine light on.
options on this forum given.
#1 trick sensor with defouler.
#2 replace cat with aftermarket catco.
my questions--> #1 will catco still leave engine code ?
#2 defouler will clear code, but cat is still bad ? thus loosing
performance and mpg.
I cant straight pipe it correct ? becouse i will still have a error code. thus unhappy wife. SO, the Catco seems to be my only option to get performance and mpg and happy wife, .....i think i have covered all my bases, so unless someone is going to tell me that i will still get error codes using a performance aftermarket catco cat.... i think this problem is licked... so is anyone out there of the opinion that the Catco wont cure all my problems ? #1 wife unhappy #2 error code #3 lost mpg #4 performance..
LMAO... again, i value all you opinions. much thanks OTISblkR1.

the economy is crap, everyone is suffering.. do you think the Honda service department would give me a bad Diagnostic to gain a hefty service fee ? is it common for a cat on a honda to need replacing at 150.000 miles ?

 

If it's truly a bad cat. Replace it and no CEL. A quality aftermarket cat will work fine and any exhaust shop could do the install for much cheaper than Honda.

If the O2 sensor is the culprit then the defouler trick might clear up the code.

Keep in mind the little defouler trick only costs like $5 for the part then you drill it out yourself and unscrew the current O2 sensor and replace with the defouler first, then O2. It'd be a very cheap fix if it worked. Personally I'd go to AutoZone and have them pull the exact code and go from there. Honda seems hell bent on replacing the cat with an OEM one themself.

 

Your Questions
My Answers
1. No
2. Correct
3. Incorrect, you could strait pipe it with the use of the O2 defouler trick and not get a code (Mind you that your Wife might not be so happy to have to clean black soot off her bumper every other day because of running rich with no cat)
4. It's a good choice to guarantee all 3.

 

outstanding thats more like it ! time to order a Catco !

 

i havent been on this site in some time, we sold that 98Honda and in 2009 i purchased a 07 Accord witht the 6 in it, My wife drove that for 3 years and i then bought her a Milan, the 07 Accord is now my daily driver..

 

So what code is being stored? That would help a lot in pointing you in the right direction of either a sensor or new cat. I picked up a Magnaflow cat last year for around $100. Replaced both o2 sensors for about $75.

 

Ummmm read the date and also his updated post... He got it figured out