Costs for Cat. Converter

[stormshadow]

Hi all, I have a 2000 Accord and was looking at costs for replacing the Cat. I spoke to a few shops and they asked me if the car was made in, or if it was from CA. They said that I would need to know that before I can get a quote. The shops said that it is more expensive if it was from CA. to do the Cat.

Question is how do I find this out? I bought it new in 2000 in MA. Any ideas?

[Fredsvt]

vin ? You can look it up on one of the Honda parts places online with the vin and get prices.

[12153]

Stormshadow:

You don't indicate whether your car is I4 or V6. As FredSVT suggests, you can go to many online sites, plug in your VIN, and get a quote. BTW, if you purchased your car new, in MA, I seriously doubt it is a "Cali" car. It's a 49-state (Fed) car.

[stormshadow]

It is funny you that about a Fed car. I wne to a dealer yesterday, he asked for the VIN, and said it is a Cali emissions car. I do not know now. I would like to find out for myself. I was in a hurry yesterday so I did not verify with him. The dealer said to check on the hood for a sticker but my hood was replaced two years ago and there is no sticker there.

Oh and it is an I4 2.3L.

[cajun]

Originally Posted by stormshadow

It is funny you that about a Fed car. I wne to a dealer yesterday, he asked for the VIN, and said it is a Cali emissions car. I do not know now. I would like to find out for myself.

Punch in your VIN at this Honda dealer's site - http://www.bernardiparts.com/SearchOptions.aspx and then search for your cat. I assume it will tell you if you need the CA version.

[12153]

Stormshadow:

Engine designation for the "Cali" version is "KL." For the 49-state (Federal) version, it's "KA." I just cannot imagine a "Cali" version being sold in MA. Then again, I suppose anything is possible.

If your car is (for example) a four-door LX "UL," then it's definitely a "Cali" car.

Quick way to determine what you have is to go to Majestic Honda's website and plug in your VIN. See below...

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/

[12153]

Stormshadow:

Per what I see at Majestic's website, a converter for the "Cali" (UL) I4 lists for $1162.67 and they sell it for $813.87 (plus freight). This should give you an idea of the approximate expense. But shop around online and elsewhere; you may find it cheaper.

[stormshadow]

Yup..I called the dealer here in MA and it is in fact (KL4at 4DR. ULEV) and they want $890 for this ****er and that is not installed. Ouch.

I can find it for around $650 (w/out gaskets) at Bernardiparts...thanks cajun. I found a mech. to intall for $100.00. The mech also said I can drive it like this until sticker time and it will not hurt anything.........Is this true? Can I fry the ECM?

[cajun]

Glad I could help. Just curious, how many miles and what makes you think it's bad?

[Fredsvt]

If he's got a P0420, he first needs to make sure the car is in proper fuel control, that there are no exhaust leaks of any kind within 5 feet of the cat on either end. If the car uses oil, this will destroy a new cat in short order.

Since his car is a 2000 it's out of the 8/80 cat warranty anyway.

[12153]

Stormshadow:

Pay attention to what FredSVT said: If your car is using oil...which many of the I4 engines are prone to do...you are spending (er, wasting) money...on the wrong end of the equation.

And (IMO), $100 for changeout labor is a Bull Shucks overcharge. To myself, it sounds like rape. It's like a total of only seven/eight fasteners (nuts) and perhaps 30 minutes labor, said and done. With a bit of shopping around, you can certainly do better than that. With a floor jack, a couple of jack stands, and a 12/14 MM wrench, you can keep all the labor money in your own pocket!

[SatinSilver]

Prob a good idea to replace the pcv valve with an oem one. Since oil consumption was mentioned its cheap insurance.