2003 Honda CRV EX VTEC Automatic 200K miles. P 0420 VIN
Dear Scotty , -love the show, the videos, I'm a big fan, ty for what you do. My question is I have a 2003 Honda EX Crv, I have removed factory cat converter, and need to replace because didn't know at thr time they could be cleaned. This is not as easy to get right as I thought, the OEM cats are 2000 dollars, my question is even with new Honda OEM 02 sensors my car was throwing P0420. my question is will a O.E. direct fit aftermarket replacement work to replace my cat converter or will this still cause my check engine light to go off because it's a diff cat converter with diff pressures or temps inside? Will a decent brand like walker or Flowmaster work to make the light come off again ? Either with a spark splug plug defowler spacer on the downstream O2 SENSOR or without ?! Is there any alternative to buying a OEM factory replacement for 2000 dollars that will make my check engine light go off and my car run properly again ? Or is there nothing I can do ? As I understand, Hondas are picky and any other part the computer doesn't recognize the part number or the temp or exhaust timing is off it'll throw codes. But I have read many forums they go back n forth, I have asked diff mechanics but not Honda specialists, please help me understand and answer this question finally and what I can do if possible to avoid buying a factory replacement, I am lost and my car runs terrible, it eats gas and it's the fumes are overwhelming, it's a really urgent situation now , any help or reply is really needed !! Thanks Scotty , I would like to know from you will you please shed some light on this problem . Ty so much Scotty !! 🙂 I will support your channel and show for life, I'm a second year mechanic. And apreciate what you do !! Ty Scotty !
- Tom Yahnke
I have removed factory cat converter, and need to replace because didn't know at thr time they could be cleaned. This is not as easy to get right as I thought, the OEM cats are 2000 dollars, my question is even with new Honda OEM 02 sensors my car was throwing P0420. my question is will a O.E. direct fit aftermarket replacement work to replace my cat converter or will this still cause my check engine light to go off because it's a diff cat converter with diff pressures or temps inside?
A failed catalytic converter cannot be cleaned. While a new Honda catalytic converter would be the best replacement, an aftermarket unit such as the Walker will work too. Aftermarket units are made with less of the precious metals used in factory units but they work OK, they just won't have the longevity of factory units.
Your CEL is being triggered to alert you of an issue, it doesn't define it. If your cat is clogged up, something caused this and that's what you need to fix. Otherwise you'll be right back in the same situation regardless of the 'type of CC' you install.
It's important to note there are more causes for a P0420 than just a bad cat: https://www.obd-codes.com/p0420
