PearlWhite05

Even with doubling up gaskets from the Cat. back to the Exhaust, I have been getting the CEL. I assume its the Cat. that is defective. But just wondering if any of you are getting CEL even with the adding 2 gaskets at the back.

I know anti fouler is one possible solution but maybe more trouble than its worth.

peter_bigblock

I've been getting P0420 CEL's a lot, I'm also assuming it's the cat. I haven't contacted Random Technology yet to discuss a solution, mainly because if I wait a few days the CEL turns off and then it's another week or two before it throws another CEL.

Doesn't make me happy, but it isn't the end of the world. My intention, though, is to contact Random Tech about it. Aftermarket or not, a cat should work as advertised.

NJTSXMan

Do you have the stock exhaust? I have never gotten a CEL since I installed the Random tech cat on my car. However, I got the stock exhaust. I've had it on for several months now.

jiggaman

i agree, even if it is aftermarket it should have been tested thoroughly to ensure no CELs

minkl81

iTrader: (2)

its been few months and no cel so far.

TSX 3Pedal

What does the P0420 code mean?

I currently have Injen CAI, Comptech header, Random Tech Cat, and stock exhaust. I installed my cat about 2-3 weeks ago and I got a CEL. I kinda freaked out about it so I unplugged my battery to reset the ECU and it hasn't come back since.

Do you guys think it was just a temporary CEL or a glitch in a sensor or something?

jiggaman

if you do the antifouler trick do you run the risk of not gettting a CEL when you really need to know about it?

PearlWhite05

yea for the anti fouler trick, I dunno. I do not want it to not come on if it should.

As for the exhaust I have the Comptech Cat back, but I am not sure that the exhaust plays a factor in triggering P0420 code.

rmpage said that the 2nd O2 sensor only monitors the Cat. converter so if thats the case my RT Cat is defective as I have had the O2 sensor replaced and still got the same CEL a week later.

I have already sent my Cat. to RT and am expecting a new one in a week.

jmathew34

PearlWhite05, has RT stated there is a possible issue with the cat?

If you are in contact with them can you please let them know that there are a quite a few people on the forum experiencing the issue??

TSX 3Pedal

I just got another one tonight...

moda_way

I've had my cat installed for a few months and no CELs at all. Comptech Header and Cat-Back surround it, doubled the gaskets. I'm guessing the statements about the catalyst converter not being consistent or being all together bad is probably the cause of issue more than the connection between the cat-back and cat now. Aftermarket performance cats aren't going to have the same consistency as the OEM ones.

PearlWhite05

moda_way, man guess you are the lucky one! The double gasket thing is no longer the main issue anymore I don't think.

As for contacting RT bout quite a few are experiencing such problems, I will speak to Clay from RT about it but its best that all of us should contact them about it, maybe send your Cat. back to them too. The won't really take much action to review the Cat. for TSX if its just one guy sending it back.

sauceman

CCColtsicehockey

I just installed my header and cat and I have a check engine light right away as soon as I drove aroundmy neighborhood and it has came back on once I cleared it.

dzuy

i had the first RT cat and ever since i got it installed, i have never had a problem. never had a CEL with my current setup.

comptech i/h/e.
RT hi flow cat.
hondata IMG and reflash

i would try tightening the bolts on the cat - a while back when i had jtso's magnaflow hi flow cat, it wasn't on all the way - it made my exhaust rattle and it made a CEL come one.

i tightened the bolts again, and the problem went away.

when i recieved the RT cat, i had a shop install it for me, and i watched them do it - they tightened the bolts as much as they could, and my car has been running problem free w/o a CEL ever since.

:troutslap

moda_way

I did seriously tighten the crap out of my cat!!!! Not saying others didn't, but I don't think I've put as much effort behind tightening bolts as the ones that connected my cat to the header and cat-back exhaust.

CCColtsicehockey

are you saying that I should tighten them over oem specs cause in the manual it says like 33ftlbs and to me that cant be enoughe. I have mine at 40ftlbs right now cause that is the lowest my tq wrench goes but will making them tighter make the rattle go away cause I definitly have a rattle too.

moda_way

I bet mine is in the 100ft lb range. Seriously!!!

Make sure to use a wrench on the opposite side to reduce the torque/twist on the header.

CCColtsicehockey

well shit then I will have to righten them a lot then. maybe my problem is that I have an exhaust leak that is causing my CEL is that possible.

moda_way

Did you put the 2 gaskets between the RT Cat and your cat-back?

CCColtsicehockey

yes

moda_way

Did you get that scanning tool?

CCColtsicehockey

not yet it is coming from kingmotorsports. i am out of inspection at the end of the month so i have to fgure something out quick.

NJTSXMan

I've been hesitant to get an aftermarket exhaust because I thought it would cause me to get CEL's with my random tech cat. However, it seems that is not the case. I haven't had not one CEL since I've installed it with the stock exhaust. It would be a real PITA if I kept getting CEL's. The only problem is finding one that is not too loud.

I would try retightening the bolts on the cat like several have mentioned. If that doesn't work, you might have to try contacting the manufacturer.

moda_way

Yeah, CCC and I were chatting about how much louder our different exhausts got. I have the option of Quiet Tips for my Comptech and if the wife and/or son are in the car, the quiet tips are in. It is ridiculously loud.

CCColtsicehockey

how hard would it be to replace the o2 sensor.

Dezod

Out of the approx 50+ cats we have moved alone through GB and non-GB efforts; I have never had 1 complaint of a CEL, and MANY of the OG owners like DZUY and Mod-away are guys that have had the units the longest. Not to mention, many of the cat owners also have a vast array of different headers and exhausts.

No changes have been made to the unit itself over time, and I would suspect the CELs are being caused from mere exhaust leaks allowing the secondary sensor to bounce out of efficiency. Please make sure you have accurate seals on both ends of the converter.

CCColtsicehockey

when I reset my check engine light it comes back on literally 20-30 seconds after that. I am beginning to believer I damaged the o2 sensor. I have not other explanation of why I have a CEL. the cat bolts are tightened to 80ftlbs and there are two seals between the cat and exhaust. I dont know of anyone else that has the comptech header / rt cat / greddy evo2 exhaust.

Dezod

That may very well be true. They are extremely delicate and can be damaged with minimal mishap.

PearlWhite05

Here is a response that I got from RT about my problems with the Cat. :


We have examined your converter and there is no evidence that anything is
wrong with it. I can pretty much guarantee that the check engine light issue
resulting from the P0420 code is a result of the converter's increased air
flow capacity and the way that's interpreted by the On-Board diagnostic
system. The system monitors converter efficiency by checking the amount of
oxygen in the exhaust (on the outlet side of the converter) and the rate at
which it changes. An original equipment converter creates a bottleneck in
the system which results in a longer, slower flow of exhaust through it. As
a result, post-converter oxygen content change slowly, and the OBD2 system's
window of acceptability is based on these characteristics. When you install
a high flow converter, you eliminate the bottleneck, so exhaust passes
through it much more rapidly. The system misinterprets this as a drop in
converter efficiency that's significant enough the emissions aren't being
properly controlled. That's not the case. In fact, we've had numerous
reports of cars passing a tailpipe emissions test with absolutely no
problem, even though the vehicle's system had set a P0420 code.

Every manufacturer of aftermarket catalytic converters (both standard and
high flow) is wrestling with this problem, even those who claim their
converters are OBD2 compliant. Trying to solve it is like aiming at a moving
target. Some vehicles are much more sensitive than others to changes in
exhaust system air flow. There are significant difference between
manufacturers and also between vehicles of identical make, model and year.
We have literally removed a converter from one vehicle on which it set a P0420 code, installed it on another virtually identical vehicle and a code
never set on the second vehicle. We have eliminated the P0420 code problems
many times, only to see it resurface on a different make or year vehicle.

Hondas and Acuras have an extremely narrow range of acceptable values, to
the point that false P0420 codes are occasionally a problem with original
equipment converters, once a converter "ages" to a certain degree, or after
other engine modifications are made. (All converters lose efficiency as they
age, but due to the characteristics of stock converters, problems with them
don't usually surface until a vehicle has accumulated over 40,000 miles.)

We are sending you a replacement converter per the terms of our warranty. We
apologize for the inconvenience, and we're continuing to investigate new
solutions to the problems.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions.

jiggaman

so from the sounds of it an antifouler is the only way to make sure no CELs with aftermarket cat, the problem is not with the cat but the finicky o2 senser

CCColtsicehockey

well I figured out my problem. I broke my a/f sensor during install apparently. It is going to cost me over $200 to get a new one.

jiggaman

damn those things must be fragile huh CCC

JTso

iTrader: (2)

Test the secondary O2 sensor operating range with your OBD2 scan tool to verify first.

CCColtsicehockey

well is an a/f sensor supposed to have something rattling inside it cause mine does and my local shop said it snt either and it would also explain my low idle at 500rpm also.

jiggaman

isn't modding fun?

CCColtsicehockey

yeah and my buddy in my club told me see you should just let us do it instead and then you wouldnt have to spend the money to get a new sensor. however I rather pay for it and know that I am the one that did the work on my car and to me thats the fun of it so I dont care if it cost me more.

PearlWhite05

I am thinking of selling the new replacement RT Cat. now. Haven't decided.

Dezod

That's about right. They are very fragile.


No need to. One person has a problem, and you look to bail out on your 10-12whp gain? I would pop that baby on. RT stands behind the converter and went ahead and sent him a new one. We sold countless numbers of these cats with no problems. This is an isolated issue.

xizor

i'll take it