I just had to get the car smogged, but i had a CEL. I pulled the code (67 cat converter) and removed the heat shield from the exhaust. The manifold has a hairline crack right down the center (see pic). I was able to pass emissions by removing the negative terminal to the battery for 10 minutes (resetting the cars ECU), then I followed a specific driving pattern that allowed the ECU's monitors to be completed without driving much. (20 miles or so) immediately after i drove her to a test only station and the car passed. on the way home from the shop on the freeway the CEL returned.

So i have 2 years to resolve the problem, but i don't wanna drive around with an exhaust leak forever..

what do you guys suggest? :
find some one who can weld cast iron and have the mani repaired
junk yard and pray that i can find what im looking for
aftermarket exhaust ?

 

i dont think junk yard sells cat converters .. especially in CA .. but your if you know somebody who can cast iron weld that then go for it .. or check your local craigslist or something ..

 

Very common problem. Crappy design. Honda issued an extended warranty on it. I believe it was up to 160,000 miles. I got mine with 168k on it. I finally just welded it up with a mig. That was well over a year and a half ago and it's just now showing the first signs of cracking around the weld.

 

Glad to hear im not the only one with this problem.
The car has the stock d16y7 in it right now, and i don't feel that anything aftermarket would be worth as i would like to drop a b series in it eventually.

Im going to look into replacing it with the stock part. ( if anyone has one shoot me a pm!)
I am the second owner of the car (bought her off my X's parents) and they knew about the problem back when it was still under warranty, unfortunately they just ignored it because it was not yet bad enough to cause the car to throw a CEL.

 

take it to the dealership and see if they will replace that under warranty

 

The car now has 215k miles, and is nine years old. Also i am the 2nd owner, not the original. I doubt it will be covered.