I'm in the process of buying an Integra. The deal breaker is though that the check engine light is on, which makes passing emissions impossible. The owner claims that it is because of the aftermarket headers/exhaust on the car. This I wouldn't mind because I'd just swap them out for the stock ones for emissions. My question for you all is, can headers make the check engine light go on or do you think it's something else.

Thanks, I don't feel like getting ripped off on this.

 

yes. they can cause a lean code. It is nothing to worry about because most integras are setup to run slightly rich from the factory. leaning them out a little is not a bad thing. but the best thing to do would be to plug in a code reader and find out what the light is actually for. everything is just speculation until you do that. I am pretty confident that a lean code is the reason for the cel. but there may be something else as well. best to check it with a code reader to be sure.

 

Thanks for the reply, the seller has a code reader and I'll be talking to her tomorrow. My top priority is making sure it'll get through emissions.

 

make sure you get a reading n that cause it could be something simple like an 02 sensor or worse a misfire.

 

also you should be more concerned if it is a mis cause it could be internals and your gas milage would suck ***.

 

no problem. just make sure its nothing serious before you hand over the $. good luck with it.

 

Is installing a new cat a real pain in the *** job?

 

I assume it had a catalytic converter code??? I had one on my teg as well. I bought a magnaflow high flow cat, installed it, and the code still came on randomly. But after I converted to obd1 and started running a chipped p28 I never had a problem with it. And the level of difficulty is really based on how much experience you have, wether you have the right tools or not, and wether you have to do it on jackstands or if you have a lift. If you dont feel like messing with it buy the cat and take it to a muffler shop. The car may end up needing a doughnut flange as well so use your own judgement.

 

Thanks for being so helpful man. Between my father and I, we should be able to do it, but if we run into trouble I might just bring it to the muffler shop. Any idea on how much a job like that would cost?

 

bump

 

Nothing difficult about changing a cat.
4 bolts, 2 gaskets. You don't want it to leak, so figure how to make it. It's pretty awkward to work underneath the car, thats about it.
Yes, you might need a doughnut gasket, but they're available at parts stores.
Dont be afraid, there is not much to brake there

 

Isn't there a sensor that plugs into or near the cat?

 

Depends on what year the car is,96 + there should be an O2 sensor in or near the cat.

 

It's a 97

 

Its probably attached to the cat either way you just unclip it from the general wiring harness(you may have to remove a rubber gromet from the under side of the car to get to it) but it just unclips like the hundreds of others on your car. The sensor will come out still attached to the cat. It just unscrews with a wrench. I cant remember what size though. Problably close to a 19mm. Dont quote me on that. As far as how much it would cost at a shop... I honestly dont have a clue. Anything I cant do, my older bro can at the dealership he works at. The only problem you may run into is that the bolts may snap/break when you are trying to loosen them but they are easily replaced.

 

i have e CEL because i have no o2 sensor when i swapped out my headers and exhaust.
you can go to autozone and ask them to simply check the code infront of you to see what it is

 

^ I recently went to autozone to try that and they no longer let you "check out" the reader and they don't come out and read it.

Why don't you just jump the CEL harness and read out the code when it blinks it to you on the gauge cluster? Then you can check it when you are looking at the car.