Digitalair

Hey guys! I'm relatively new to the forum. A few months ago I got a check engine light on my way home from school. I immediately took it to Autozone to pull the code with a scanner and I got P0420. After doing some research (my car is a MY2002 with 160,xxx miles at the time) I found that the problem could have been my catalytic converter. The very next day during my commute it went away so I didn't think much of it after that. Now I'm at 170,xxx miles and my check engine light came on for the same reason. I don't have the money to buy an OEM replacement cat so I was just wondering if a Berk HFC would fix my problem. Is there more to it than I am suspecting? Any help here is appreciated. Thank you guys!

nubbel

My OEM cat broke about 2000km ago and had a very prominent rattling sound but no CEL.

After looking at the price for an OEM one I too decided on the Berk HFC 63mm.

The Berk arrived yesterday and I mounted it right after I got home from work.

So far I only took it for a pretty short test drive, no CEL yet, will update in case anything changes.

rpg51

Just out of curiosity, what does a new OEM cat cost?

Digitalair

Majestic Honda has it listed at about $630

starchland

This code could also be an exhaust leak or bad o2 sensor

Digitalair

How can I know for sure?

Billman250

Code is not for exhaust leak or bad o2 sensor, it is for cat operation.

A new cat, or an $8 spark plug spacer between the o2 and cat, will fix it.

Digitalair

Billman250 just replied to one of my threads...my life is complete!! I was under the impression that this code alone was for the cat. Thank you for confirming this.

starchland

I had the same code on my 05 crv which a new exhaust gasket fixed, what would cause his cat to go bad, age?

Billman250

Age, correct. And use. Typically a richer than normal mixture will accelerate cat deterioration.