[clamchowder]

Hey guys,
I have a 2007 Accord 4dr 5sp LX with 123750 miles. Yesterday morning, the check engine light came on while driving to work. So I took it to a local mechanic after work and they said it's the catalytic converter, code P0420. The lady quoted me $745 OTD. She said they will order parts from Honda. Does the price seems reasonable? This is one steep repair for me, ouch.

I looked up a few videos on youtube on how to change the catalytic converter. The guy in this video,

, recommends cleaning it first. He recommends pouring 1 gallon of lacquer thinner into the tank when it's half full and drive it untill it's empty. Wha wha whaaattt?? Has anyone heard or tried this method before? If so, how did it work out for you?

I didn't notice any knocking or extra engine noise, but I did notice the rpm goes up a bit higher than before. For example. When I shift gear from 10mph to 20mph, the rpm would hit 3k before I reach 20mph. Same thing as when I shift gear to go from 20mph to 30mph. The rpm would hit 3k before I reach 30mph.

What other choices do I have? If I need to replace the converter, which one is best bang for the buck beside the OEM? I'm thinking about getting one online and have a mechanic install it. Is this a common wear and tear?

All opinions are highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Miker]

Unless the cat is plugged or melted, SEAFOAM the engine and put some in the gas tank. Maybe 6 bucks to try it.
It may also clean your O2 sensor, although 100K miles you might want to replace that.
Youtube has dozens of clips about seafoaming your engine.

Anyway P0402 comes up as an EGR problem. Google it.


http://www.obd-codes.com/p0402

There's a start for you that costs WAY less than 700+ $

Miker

 

[drowned12]

I don't agree with his suggestion to use lacquer or whatever. I'd buy a product meant specifically for engines.

 

[clamchowder]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Miker - The code that I got from check engine light is P0420, not P0402 . I'll try the seaform tomorrow and hopefully it'll do that job.

drowned - Yeah I'm kind of afraid to do that also lol.

 

[PurdueSilver]

I havent had an issue with mine. I have an 05 with near 160,000. I did replace an O2 last January though. I do want to do Seafoam. But I don't want the neighbors thinking I am burning down the house or car.

 

[clamchowder]

I havent had an issue with mine. I have an 05 with near 160,000. I did replace an O2 last January though. I do want to do Seafoam. But I don't want the neighbors thinking I am burning down the house or car.

Maybe I should replace the 02 sensor first and see if that's the culprit.

 

[drowned12]

I think a bad O2 sensor would trip its own code. I get a CEL from the O2 sensor ocassionally, because my precat isn't there.

 

[Drew03Accord]

Your CAT is dead. Seafoam, O2 sensor, etc. will just add to the expense. The price seems high because they are quoting you with a genuine Honda cat, which if you check online, is around $500. You might try aftermarket and take it to a muffler shop vs mechanic for install.

Something like this has a 5yr warranty and costs $140.... (assuming you're not in Cali)

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/s...07.html?intcmpid=Product+Listings+Best+Seller

If you do go OEM, be sure what you receive is actually OEM.

 

[drowned12]

Your CAT is dead. Seafoam, O2 sensor, etc. will just add to the expense. The price seems high because they are quoting you with a genuine Honda cat, which if you check online, is around $500. You might try aftermarket and take it to a muffler shop vs mechanic for install.

Something like this has a 5yr warranty and costs $140.... (assuming you're not in Cali)

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/s...07.html?intcmpid=Product+Listings+Best+Seller

If you do go OEM, be sure what you receive is actually OEM.

It makes drastically more sense to try a cheap fix like seafoam before buying a new cat.

 

[Drew03Accord]

It makes drastically more sense to try a cheap fix like seafoam before buying a new cat.

Seafoam is a solvent (naptha) which is mixed oil. It's meant to clean varnish from the engine. The reason why you see all that white smoke when seafoaming, is that oil base being burnt off. Your cat is working hard to scrub that white smoke as it's being emitted, so while it may do the engine some good, it's not doing your cat any good.

I perfectly understand wanting to try anything to avoid such an expense. I've been there and done it (another car), including the gallon of lacquer in thinner in the gas tank. The only thing I didn't try was pulling off the CAT and soaking it in soap water overnight. I figured if I'm going through the trouble of pulling off those rusted bolts, etc. It would be a new cat put back in.

 

[BLCKFLSH]

I would only try cleaning the cat, if it's off the car. I would not run anything, including seafoam, through my engine. Gas only. But that's just my opinion. Probably a good idea to buy new bolts before even attempting to remove the old ones.

 

[Miker]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Miker - The code that I got from check engine light is P0420, not P0402 . I'll try the seaform tomorrow and hopefully it'll do that job.

drowned - Yeah I'm kind of afraid to do that also lol.

My mistake:headbash:

Done the seafoam on ALL my cars with 100K+ miles on the clock with no problems but that's my experience. Your mileage may vary.

All the other suggestions are sound recommendations.:thmsup:

Miker

 

[OdAccord]

My thoughts

I went through all of this granted it's a V6 with three catalytic convertors. Code was the same and I tried ALL the "lessor fixes" to no avail. I might have gone 50 miles after Seafoam, o2 sensors, etc and the code popped up every time. In the end I replaced all three cats with Honda only parts and all is well (80k miles ago). I only use Honda parts. I wouldn't even venture with aftermarket.

I think your Accord may only have the one Cat underneath. My code pointed to the Cat on Bank 1 and I concentrated on that one as well as the others. I did do all three (especially the one on bank 2 after reading hundreds of posts). In the end, it's a bad Cat.

 

[D-JET]

i definitely suggest you change the o2 sensors first. Its wayyy cheaper than a CAT.

 

[clamchowder]

One thing I didn't mention is that I'm missing 2 screws for the air filter housing. I doubt that's the culprit. What do you guys think about cataclean? Some said it's a myth and some said it worked for them. I talked to a guy at autozone this morning and he said it's a myth. Autozone can't check for codes anymore. Cali outlawed it couple years ago.

I read in another forum that someone had this code as well and it was the gas cap. It could also be a spark plug but I changed that around 80K. I use NGK IZFR6K-11 iridium. My car is now at 123750.

Drew: I live in So Cal, what cat do I need in aftermarket?
OdAccord: I'm hoping that my car only has one cat.
D-Jet: I'm thinking about doing that also.

 

[Chris333]

I use NGK IZFR6K-11 iridium.


Drew: I live in So Cal,

If you live in Cali you need-13 plugs, not -11.

 

[clamchowder]

If you live in Cali you need-13 plugs, not -11.

Thanks for the tip Chris. :thmsup:

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So I took the car to Midas this morning for a second opinion. The manager ran the test and it's the same code, P0420, points to bank 1. He claimed that it's the cat. I asked him could it be the CO2 sensor, he said no. He said 99.99% it's a dead cat. He quoted me $735 OTD with 10% discount. So it's about $662.5 with OEM parts. I couldn't find a seller online that's willing to ship to CA. I guess OEM is the only choice I have. I'm going to ask my friends to see if they know someone who can get me an OEM at cost.

 

[Chris333]

Thanks for the tip Chris. :thmsup:

Guess just in case I should be clear. The -13 plugs are for PZEV cars so I think that is the same as Cali emissions.

 

[clamchowder]

Guess just in case I should be clear. The -13 plugs are for PZEV cars so I think that is the same as Cali emissions.

I read a review on amazon site from a consumer, he said the 13 is for Cali due to its strict emissions law. So I guess the 13 can be installed into my 2007, 5sp, 4cycl Accord.

--------

I just looked up the part number (0961103) on the quote that I got from Midas today and this is what I found on google.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosal-Catalyt...&newCar=1&s=automotive&vehicleType=automotive

Is this cat. legal in CA? Will I pass the smog? No wonder the guy is giving me a 10% off. He charges $604.72 for part, labor 79.20 plus tax. This cat is only 223.52 online. I asked him will the part be OEM, he said yes. The above link doesn't look like OEM to me. What do you guys think?

 

[RickBlaine]

Guess just in case I should be clear. The -13 plugs are for PZEV cars so I think that is the same as Cali emissions.

You know Chris, we should probably put together a sticky for PZEV vehicles with little info like this.