Hey there, been a while and I still want to post pics of my V but I thought I'd through this out there and see what comes back.

My car: 01 SE A/AWD
I've had it for almost a year now, about a quarter million on the clock and still running like a champ. Only work I've done is a timing belt, w/pump, plugs/wires, valve cover gasket and few other things mosty cosmetic just to bring her back to stock'ish. All this was done when I bought the car, just for safe measures, all fluids looked great and aside from a leak on the P/S rack its dry as a bone.

To my point, had the 0420 code for a while, cleaned the sensor only for it to work for about 100 miles, changed the sensor only for it to work for 200 miles, so here are my options -

A. Change the cat to OEM - most costly but will most likely fix my problem.
B. Straight pipe it and or gut it using the de-foulers on the down flow sensor.

I've done some searching here and I've done both on domestic vehicles but never a Honda, which is still my fav manufacture all around. I hope, and I really mean hope this cat issue is causing the next issue - low rmp at idle.
Car runs fine but after warm up and loop closes it drops down to about 665-710, I know that's not detrimental but its effecting my AC clutch and stops and I don't need another problem caused by this problem, plus I have a eight month old and live in the south - that just won't do.

I know this is two issues wrapped into one but the only reason I bring both up is I think they coincide. Fix the cat, O2s report to the PCM for correct fuel trims and my idle is fixed, along with the AC. Sounds good in theory... My low pressure line of the compressor shows normal psi, no gauges for the high line. I've checked for vacuum leaks with no luck, in fact creating a leak through the cruise module raises it to about where it should be, but that's the wrong way of going about thinks. PCV has been changed, grommet hasn't but that would lower the revs it that was the case.

Sorry for the long post, I just want to put as much info out there as possible. I'm going to fix the cat problem either way and I've heard the ac issue could even boil down to the coolant temp sensor (temp stays around 194-202), no pun intended. And the idle issue could be anything from a vacuum leak to a dirty component on the throttle body - I can post or share my scanners readings if need be via drop box, the run stores quite a bit of into.

Well thanks in advance! Its good to be back, although I'm not in my GSR anymore at least its a Honda with a BEE series . AGAIN I have to keep my new fam Priority.

> E

 

This morning I pondered adjusting the idle via cable, but with my experience with motorcycles (mostly carbureted) Idle, and/or syncing the carbs is the LAST thing you do after checking cable tightness, valve lashings, TPS position, how clean the IACV is and if working properly ect. BEFORE even beginning to manually adjust the idle cable, especially with all the electrical sensors/valves going on - question is this, being I am assuming the cat is slowing the flow a bit, that with this mis-information from the O2 sensors would that effect my idle? I would think so but I know how some cars "adjust" to there environment. TIA!!! ~ E

 

Clogged cat would definitely mess up your idle as it screws with your o2 readings. Short term and long term trims are there to adjust for weather, atmospheric pressure, and other smaller things - probably doesn't have enough adjustment room for something mechanical.
Remove the cat completely and see if it improves. If it does - get a test pipe or replace the cat. Otherwise, we'll have to keep looking.

 

Thanks, yeah I never replaced the PCV valve grommet, further inspection I noticed the vacuum hose had started to calasp while the car was running, Honda is closed so I did the best I could and replaced the hose, I need to eliminate any vacuum issues. Can I run it without the cat? The down steam O2 is in the cat, just un bolt it and let it run? Funds are low right now, I would just go get another. This lore rpm issue is getting on my nerves, it doesnt hunt but after it warms up in drive its 730, 630, even low Fives mostly at stops which gives my compressor a work out. I'll try what you mention and report back. Again thanks for the advice, any more is appreciated!

 

Well I ordered another PCV, hose and gromment from Honda - apparently from what I've read even some new PCV valves can be shotty, especially if things arn't running right - I'm sure my fuel trims all over the place with the O2 readings.

As far as the cat coming off and seeing what happens, that's going to have wait until the weekend. Its original, so I know those bolts aren't just going to fall of, infact I've pondered getting a set of new ones in case I have to break out the torch.

The RMPs are doing ok, but once I turn the AC on its basically an uneven wave on my scanner, and not +/- 50-75 more like 100-200. Even when the coast clutch kicks in I can feel the power being effected by the low RPMs.

Any precautions when running it without the cat? aside the obvious, gonna be loud issue -

TIA ~

 

Start wd40'ing or pblaster'ing it now - it'll save you some serious frustration later.