Rear Catalytic Converter

[jmdx]

Hi, I'm keep getting the engine code P0420....Catalytic converter below efficiency.

The dealer said the converter is bad. I was thinking if it might be the oxygen sensor not working properly...the converter is pretty expensive.

Does anyone have any tip on removing the catalytic converter?

[mowashear]

http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt

shouldnt your dealer cover this? (Depending on how old your car is)

[jmdx]

I have 107,000 miles, they said is out of warranty.......

[heelstriker]

Any updates on this? I too have this problem. I replaced the upstream o2 sensor close to the firewall because I got a good deal on it. The check engine light went out for a few days, then has remained on ever since. I had it scanned again, and it is still coming up with P0420.

I've found plenty of good deals for the catalytic converters, around $200. I would be interested in knowing how difficult it is to change one out so that I can make a decision on whether to gamble on replacing it myself, or taking it to the shop where they'll charge me many times over the cost of the converter alone.

[gotMDX]

Originally Posted by jmdx

Hi, I'm keep getting the engine code P0420....Catalytic converter below efficiency.

The dealer said the converter is bad. I was thinking if it might be the oxygen sensor not working properly...the converter is pretty expensive.

Does anyone have any tip on removing the catalytic converter?

There was a letter (PRODUCT UPDATE:MIL Comes On With DTC P0420) sent out Sept 2011 stating the extension of the warranty from 80k to 10yr/ 120k miles on some 2007 MDXs. Make sure to ask your acura dealer about this. A software update in the powertrain control module is also available.

The sensor was replaced under warranty; rear cat was replaced under "goodwill" prior to receiving the letter!

Good news for those who already replaced and paid for it- you maybe eligible for reimbursement!

[jmdx]

Well,i haven't changed it yet. The code comes and goes . It is an intermittent problem. That's why I think it might be the o2.

[AutisMDXTypeS]

Rear cat??? Do you mean the mid cat/ resonator?


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[DelSolMarine]

is there a way to delete the mid cat and the sensor for it... 3 cats is over the top in my opinion...

[AutisMDXTypeS]

If your talking about the mid cat/ resonator just take it off( middle of the car underneath the front passages seats). Chop Chop
I don't think it has a o2 sensor. I asked my muffler guy to kill mine, he didn't mention a sensor and I'm sure he would have told me the had to stick it in another cat to "fool" it.

[Ari]

Originally Posted by DelSolMarine

is there a way to delete the mid cat and the sensor for it... 3 cats is over the top in my opinion...

I assume your opinion is informed by your vast experience in emission control systems to ensure vehicles meet environmentally mandated emission standards? If so, please explain how you arrived at your informed opinion.

[AutisMDXTypeS]

Originally Posted by Ari

I assume your opinion is informed by your vast experience in emission control systems to ensure vehicles meet environmentally mandated emission standards? If so, please explain how you arrived at your informed opinion.

And away we go!

In this corner, weighing in at 178 pounds........

Hahaha

I love this place! Lol

[AutisMDXTypeS]

Hey Ari, not being smart at all. But if the exhaust system passes the inspection "sniffer" does that mean she is pumping out "clean enough" or is that only looking for certain things and not all pollutants. I know they try and make stock exhaust units quiet and pollute "free" but it's never made sense how a stock sports car can come with five components from the factory and then you can do a "header back" system and it only has a small cat and a small muffler be less restrictive and still not pollute. I know cost is involved too but somebody's being too greedy (money) or something isn't working as good (the muffler system).

[Ari]

Originally Posted by AutisMDXTypeS

Hey Ari, not being smart at all. But if the exhaust system passes the inspection "sniffer" does that mean she is pumping out "clean enough" or is that only looking for certain things and not all pollutants. I know they try and make stock exhaust units quiet and pollute "free" but it's never made sense how a stock sports car can come with five components from the factory and then you can do a "header back" system and it only has a small cat and a small muffler be less restrictive and still not pollute. I know cost is involved too but somebody's being too greedy (money) or something isn't working as good (the muffler system).

I'm the last person to be an environmentalist per se but I also know that things are there for good reason and that I do not have the background and expertise to second-guess those reasons. Insofar as I understand things the issue of making a change and still passing pollutant tests is that the variances allowed are such that yes, it could pass with the changes that come from removing components but that the levels of harmful pollutants increases. Just because it can pass does not mean it passed as well as it should have.

I cared less about these things until I had kids and now I care more about them and try to do what little things I can do within reason to minimize the impact I have on the world they will inherit. For example, I pay about $50 more a year for the Wall Street Journal on my Kindle in part because it comes to be electronically and reduces environmental impact to produce, ship, deliver, and then throw away/recycle the printed paper. To me that $50 is money well spent though the return on investment is large imperceptible save for the knowledge of having gone that route.

[DelSolMarine]

alright while my question actually didnt include a question mark and was more of a statement than a question i will rephrase it...

if i replaced the mid cat and mid muffler with a straight pipe would there be drastic decibal changes to the exhaust system with there already being 2 more cats and 2 more mufflers at the back of my 2006 MDX, would it throw an engine code, and it would it pass an emissions test?

my 1994 has 1 catalytic converter inline with the downpipe... the 2006 acura mdx i have has a cat on each of the 2 downpipes... why is there ANOTHER one?

Ari- In response to your smartass remarks I dont think me asking about removing 1 of the 3 cat converters on my luxury SUV in an attempt to improve fuel economy and my economic impact on the united states even suggests at all that i am looking to pollute the environment further... if you want to bash someone about environmental hazards why dont you talk to the owners of the big trucks with catless true dual exhaust systems instead of even considering it towards people driving luxury vehicles...

[Ari]

Originally Posted by DelSolMarine

alright while my question actually didnt include a question mark and was more of a statement than a question i will rephrase it...

if i replaced the mid cat and mid muffler with a straight pipe would there be drastic decibal changes to the exhaust system with there already being 2 more cats and 2 more mufflers at the back of my 2006 MDX, would it throw an engine code, and it would it pass an emissions test?

my 1994 has 1 catalytic converter inline with the downpipe... the 2006 acura mdx i have has a cat on each of the 2 downpipes... why is there ANOTHER one?

Ari- In response to your smartass remarks I dont think me asking about removing 1 of the 3 cat converters on my luxury SUV in an attempt to improve fuel economy and my economic impact on the united states even suggests at all that i am looking to pollute the environment further... if you want to bash someone about environmental hazards why dont you talk to the owners of the big trucks with catless true dual exhaust systems instead of even considering it towards people driving luxury vehicles...

If you go back and read the posts I didn't call you out by name or by implication. I responded to AustinMDXTypeS but you chose to take offense to genuine criticism of the idea to remove a piece of equipment mandated (rightly or wrongly is an entirely different subject) by the government.

We are on an MDX forum to discuss issues about the MDX but thanks for the useless suggestion to "talk to the owners of the big trucks with catless true dual exhaust systems instead of even considering it towards people driving luxury vehicles..."