Got a CEL this morning about Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold. I assume my O2 sensor and/or converter is bad. How hard are these things to change?

 

Was told I could try cleaning the front O2 sensor and maybe not to have buy anything.

 

If you try to clean it, I'm willing to bet you will kill it.

Tune up items up to date (plugs), any exhaust leaks. Is the front O2 getting lazy?

 

Yes tune up is recent, wires were good put plugs in about 15k miles ago. Car runs great, avgs 29mpg, good power too. I may just replace the sensor, I can stand $35.

 

make sure you stick to denso/ngk. Hondas only love those two sensors.

I don't think any of those two sensors would be 35, maybe a bosch which I would avoid.
a rear ngk/denso sensor is like 50-60 and a front one is a 100.

 

Is the vehicle in fuel control? Are the fuel trims good? If so you need a cat....