Cat Replacement
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Cat Replacement
Hello all.
My RL is now pushing a little over 190K miles and the check engine light is on and has been on for some time. I haven't had it checked, because it runs so well and I can count on one hand how many vehicles I've had that did not have the check engine light on. I live in an area that does not have inspections, so it's not a worry to me.
I'm sure that with this kind of mileage, the catalytic convertor is all clogged up and it may be a big part in why the CEL is glowing. Is there a cheap alternative to replacing this thing other than the OEM? I'm sure I could probably find a used one somewhere and I may go down that road, because I am not forking out the dough for a new one! Or is there an aftermarket better flowing one that you all have tried?
Any help and advice will be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Cory
My RL is now pushing a little over 190K miles and the check engine light is on and has been on for some time. I haven't had it checked, because it runs so well and I can count on one hand how many vehicles I've had that did not have the check engine light on. I live in an area that does not have inspections, so it's not a worry to me.
I'm sure that with this kind of mileage, the catalytic convertor is all clogged up and it may be a big part in why the CEL is glowing. Is there a cheap alternative to replacing this thing other than the OEM? I'm sure I could probably find a used one somewhere and I may go down that road, because I am not forking out the dough for a new one! Or is there an aftermarket better flowing one that you all have tried?
Any help and advice will be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Cory
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I've thought about that, but wasn't sure if it would run right without that back pressure being there. I know that in some vehicles, the computer is calibrated to run with all OEM specs and doing something like that will cause issues. Have you done this with yours? If so, any noticeable differences? Sound?
I'm around the Nashville area. I work in Nashville, but actually live outside Nashville. Are you in TN as well?
I'm around the Nashville area. I work in Nashville, but actually live outside Nashville. Are you in TN as well?
#4
registered pw
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: south central pa
Age: 49
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I would check the codes, it could be an o2 sensor.
I don't think knocking out the cat will be a good choice. You will get more power but like the op says, that backpressure is vital to a properly working motor.
I don't think knocking out the cat will be a good choice. You will get more power but like the op says, that backpressure is vital to a properly working motor.
#5
Hello all.
My RL is now pushing a little over 190K miles and the check engine light is on and has been on for some time. I haven't had it checked, because it runs so well and I can count on one hand how many vehicles I've had that did not have the check engine light on. I live in an area that does not have inspections, so it's not a worry to me.
I'm sure that with this kind of mileage, the catalytic convertor is all clogged up and it may be a big part in why the CEL is glowing. Is there a cheap alternative to replacing this thing other than the OEM? I'm sure I could probably find a used one somewhere and I may go down that road, because I am not forking out the dough for a new one! Or is there an aftermarket better flowing one that you all have tried?
Any help and advice will be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Cory
My RL is now pushing a little over 190K miles and the check engine light is on and has been on for some time. I haven't had it checked, because it runs so well and I can count on one hand how many vehicles I've had that did not have the check engine light on. I live in an area that does not have inspections, so it's not a worry to me.
I'm sure that with this kind of mileage, the catalytic convertor is all clogged up and it may be a big part in why the CEL is glowing. Is there a cheap alternative to replacing this thing other than the OEM? I'm sure I could probably find a used one somewhere and I may go down that road, because I am not forking out the dough for a new one! Or is there an aftermarket better flowing one that you all have tried?
Any help and advice will be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Cory
#6
I would go get the code read to see what is causing the Check Engine Light (CEL). It may not be the cat... I had a 96 Emerald Green RL like yours which I ran to 250K miles on the original cat before I sold it. The only thing I ever got the CEL for is P0401 which is the EGR ports having insufficient flow and would require a port cleaning. That would come on like every 2-3 years after 150K miles and each time, I took it in to get the EGR ports cleaned and it'd be good again. I guess this is a pretty common problem on the 96 RL. Let use know what code you get.
#7
In any event, after the port is cleaned, you have to clear the code manually. It doesn't just go away by itself. Either use an OBDII scanner to clear the code, or if you don't have one, just unplug the battery for a few minutes and plug it back in. But if you do that, you have to input your radio code.
If after the light is cleared, and it doesn't come back on in a few days, you know you are good. If it comes back, you either didn't clean it enough or didn't clean the right one. Note that P0401 takes a few driving cycles to come on, so you won't know right away. It usually takes a few days to come back on after clearing it (if the flow is still insufficient).
Hope this helps...
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#9
I didn't clean the port, I just cleaned the EGR with Carb choke. Anyway you said the port was on the side of the intake manifold right? I thought it was the little wavy golden color tube at the back of the engine. So how much did they charge you?
#10
Here is a link to do it yourself showing what's involved...
http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulleti...leaning-79886/
The dealer charged me $350 to do it. It's kind of a rip if you ask me, but I really didn't want to do this myself because it involves removing fuel injectors and having some gas spill out.
#12
Universal Soldier
It does help. I was forced to change mines out in Nov. It happened all of a sudden one day it was driving fine, the next the s.o.b. wouldnt go over 20 miles an hour. I paid 185.00 from Autozone for the cat, and 150.00 for the installation. Now all is fine.
#17
I can get an obd2 modulator that would replace the o2 sensor in the cat so I would not get the alarm code. with that said, Would the straight pipe instead of the cat converter help my engine or harm it?
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