How do you know when the catalytic converter needs looking at? Is it an age or a mileage thing? I know they're very $$$.
This is regarding a '96 Accord with 89,000 miles, if that makes any dif.

Thanks

 

You will be able to smell it if it's going bad. Smells like rotten eggs.

 

Not necessarily- certain brands of gas smell like rotten eggs because of their sulfur content. Converters SHOULD last forever- they are usually damaged by physical abuse or excessive heat from an over rich mixture- or from being plugged by some other foreign material(excessive oil burning). You can remove it and check to see if it is melted but the only way to test it's efficiency is by using an exhaust gas analyzer. These cost way too much to buy for most people- anywhere with a dyno SHOULD have one.


[Modified by fixhondas, 10:36 PM 10/7/2001]