Hey,

I'm new to Hondas, so there might some common issue here that I'm not aware of... either way, what's your take on this?

I bought an '01 Si recently (2 weeks). The PO told me that the car was throwing a CEL because of a bad O2 sensor. He had one replaced (apparently the wrong one), so the light stayed. He then had the other one changed right before I got the car.... so I'm basically sitting with 2 new O2 sensors.

The car is still throwing the CEL intermittently, so I took it to my mechanic for a look and a basic checkup on the car. He tells me that the light is coming on because of a variance in readings between the two sensors, which would indicate a bad cat.

Is this a common issue? I'm a little bothered by it... a new OEM cat is in the 1200 (canadian) range, and an aftermarket one won't last all that long. I only got the car for 5400, so I'm not happy about having to spend another chunk just to fix it. I was told that it won't be necessary... the car did pass the e-test, so it can't be all bad. I can live with the cat. But if something else goes that would cause a CEL, I won't know...

I want to know how much of an issue I actually have on my hands here...

Advice?

 

if you want to get rid of it you can get a magnaflow cat. they are very reliable and last a long time. they are a direct replacement for the stock one.

 

there is alot of things that can throw o2 codes....from bad connections, to the guy running race/leaded fuel in it, to a bad cat (which can be caused by leaded fuel), to the car running rich. without being able to scan and look at it myself I would just be guessing. I have also seen BNIB bad o2 sensors, sometimes those things get kicked around at the parts stores. why cant you use an aftermarket cat. ? it'll last you several years as long as you dont put leaded fuel in it.

 

I might then... my mech advised that it would have a shorter lifespan is all. I have another guy who has done exhaust work for me before on a different car (also a Magnaflow), so I might see what he can do it for. I'm sure there was no leaded fuel put through it... it's pretty bone stock, and the previous owner was a lady. The bad sensor thing is also possible, seeing as they are both new. I'll see if I can contact the PO and see where he did the replacement... they might be able to cover it. It's a start anyways... what does a Magnaflow usually run for in one of these?

 

he prolly wants to sell you the oem cat so he can jack up the price and make more money. i got my magnaflow cat for 125 online and put it in myself in about an hour total

 

No kidding...

Good to know, I might have to look at that route. How difficult is it to install a cat? I'm no mechanic, but I'm no idiot either... any special tools required?

I've also got a handful of mechanically inclined friends... might have to go pick up a 24 and get someone over for a little tooling fun. If only it wasn't freezing outside...

 

unbolt 5 14mm bolts. take stock cat off. put new cat in. bolt in 5 14mm bolt

 

Wow... so, very easy.

Think I found my solution... I'm gonna see if I can get parts warranty on the two O2 sensors, and failing that, swap the cat.

Thanks for the tips