Catalytic Converter Failure At 43,000 miles?
03-07-2008, 03:28 PM
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Catalytic Converter Failure At 43,000 miles?
MIL light came on yesterday on my 2004 TSX with 43,000 miles. Today dealer diagnoses that the catalytic converter is failing. Test shows it is operating at only 60% efficiency. Dealer says they have had a few TSX's come in with this problem, not to worry warranty will cover the cost.
Has anyone else seen their cat fail this prematurely? I am concerned about what caused the failure and will the new one fail at the same rate because of some fuel to air mixture problem etc. Car has gotten consistent MPG of mid to high 20's overall.
Seems strange to me and I have searched and not found any posts with a similar story.
Has anyone else seen their cat fail this prematurely? I am concerned about what caused the failure and will the new one fail at the same rate because of some fuel to air mixture problem etc. Car has gotten consistent MPG of mid to high 20's overall.
Seems strange to me and I have searched and not found any posts with a similar story.
03-07-2008, 03:34 PM
#2
Interesting; this would be the 1st I've read our Cat failed under 50K miles. One thing I can think to be a reason would be inappropriate air/fuel mix. If the O2 sensor is damaged, the engine could run rich, and the non combusted gas goes through the Cat, destroying the cells in it. Has your dealer given you an explanation?
03-07-2008, 09:42 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by acuraaddict_RENAMED
MIL light came on yesterday on my 2004 TSX with 43,000 miles. Today dealer diagnoses that the catalytic converter is failing. Test shows it is operating at only 60% efficiency. Dealer says they have had a few TSX's come in with this problem, not to worry warranty will cover the cost.
Has anyone else seen their cat fail this prematurely? I am concerned about what caused the failure and will the new one fail at the same rate because of some fuel to air mixture problem etc. Car has gotten consistent MPG of mid to high 20's overall.
Seems strange to me and I have searched and not found any posts with a similar story.
Has anyone else seen their cat fail this prematurely? I am concerned about what caused the failure and will the new one fail at the same rate because of some fuel to air mixture problem etc. Car has gotten consistent MPG of mid to high 20's overall.
Seems strange to me and I have searched and not found any posts with a similar story.
03-07-2008, 09:46 PM
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I have not gotten an explanation other than that they have had similar cat failures on a few other TSX's. If an oxygen sensor had failed allowing a wrong air/fuel mix it should have thrown a code they would have read shouldn't it?
It has not burned a drop of oil since new. I switched to Mobil 1 at the first oil change. Car has run fine with good gas mileage, no smoke from exhaust etc.
It has not burned a drop of oil since new. I switched to Mobil 1 at the first oil change. Car has run fine with good gas mileage, no smoke from exhaust etc.
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03-15-2008, 08:22 PM
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Well, the catalytic converter was replaced yesterday and all seems well. It was not replaced with the converter spec'd for the 2006 TSX. Apparently the new part number for the 2006 does not supersede the old number for the 2004's.
The only code stored was "P0420 Catalyst system below threshold 123505 .6 Inspected Cat can hear loose parts inside".
All was done under warranty and that is a good thing since I understand the part alone sells for about $900.00!!!
Let's hope it doesn't happen again in another 43,000 miles.
The only code stored was "P0420 Catalyst system below threshold 123505 .6 Inspected Cat can hear loose parts inside".
All was done under warranty and that is a good thing since I understand the part alone sells for about $900.00!!!
Let's hope it doesn't happen again in another 43,000 miles.
03-15-2008, 10:27 PM
#12
glad to hear its fixed. I thought I've read or heard somewhere though that Cat covertors don't go bad but are destoryed by something in the engine.
defitnely keep a close eye on this one.
defitnely keep a close eye on this one.
02-28-2009, 11:25 AM
#14
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Yep exactly...I checked and it lists for $737 and can be purchased online for $552
http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...s=&view=normal
It's still not a fun job to do especially if you have to grind off the rusted bolts.
http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...s=&view=normal
It's still not a fun job to do especially if you have to grind off the rusted bolts.
03-01-2009, 07:24 AM
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03-01-2009, 09:05 AM
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Yeah, dealer is going to fix it under warranty. The emissions they said are covered 8 yrs/ 80k miles. I'm just concerned about it happening again in 50k more miles.
03-01-2009, 01:42 PM
#18
still plays with cars
Catalytic converter failures are pretty rare; you should be good to go for the next 100k miles unless you are dumping weird additives in the oil and/or fuel tank. Stick with quality oils and toptier.com fuels.
03-01-2009, 02:49 PM
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haha lucky u .
It is strange that cat failed so relatively early. What could cause this? Fuel additives? salty roads? I heard alcohol based additives ruin cat.
03-01-2009, 09:33 PM
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I have a feeling that the fact that my TSX does burn some oil might affect the life of the cat. It doesnt burn that much, maybe 1/2-1 quart every 3 or 4k miles.
03-02-2009, 09:47 PM
#23
still plays with cars
That's not enough oil burning to affect the cat life much. Especially since there is less zinc and phosphorus additives in current oil. SM-rated oil has the lowest ZN and P.
03-02-2009, 11:08 PM
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Dealer also said that they spark plugs were pretty dirty and this might contribute to the issue? Anyways, going to change plugs. Anyone have good recommendations for a spark plug?
03-03-2009, 10:37 AM
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03-03-2009, 10:01 PM
#27
still plays with cars
Good fuel and minimal oil consumption - it sounds like things are going fine.
I would expect the plugs to be clean and good for another 50 K miles.
If you are going to replace them, use the OEM parts instead of experimenting with other manufacturers which might not have compatible heat ranges.
I would expect the plugs to be clean and good for another 50 K miles.
If you are going to replace them, use the OEM parts instead of experimenting with other manufacturers which might not have compatible heat ranges.
03-02-2010, 12:08 AM
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I started this thread in March of 2008. My converter was replaced at 43,000 miles after throwing a P0420 code. The new converter has now failed after only 11,000 miles...same code. Dealer says Acura has determined that some 2004's had incorrect programming and was causing the engine to run lean and producing exhaust temperatures to run high enough to melt the insides of the converter. Solution is a software patch and another new converter under warranty. How does one converter last 40,000 miles and the next only 11,000 miles if the problem originated at the factory?
It seems to me there is a problem that is getting worse. Any other ideas?
It seems to me there is a problem that is getting worse. Any other ideas?
03-02-2010, 07:51 AM
#29
Someone stole "My Garage"
Wow, 11,000 miles on a new cat? That's insanely low -- thank goodness you weren't footing the bill for it!
I don't think you have much reason to believe otherwise. I think they are being straightforward with you and telling you the truth, although I've never heard of this software glitch before. But, if they are adamant that this is what it is, I'd approach them and ask for an extended warranty on the newest catalytic converter now (most warranty-installed parts are only warrantied for 12,000 miles / 1 year or something like that). Get it in writing and hope you never have to use the paper they sign.
I don't think you have much reason to believe otherwise. I think they are being straightforward with you and telling you the truth, although I've never heard of this software glitch before. But, if they are adamant that this is what it is, I'd approach them and ask for an extended warranty on the newest catalytic converter now (most warranty-installed parts are only warrantied for 12,000 miles / 1 year or something like that). Get it in writing and hope you never have to use the paper they sign.
03-02-2010, 05:26 PM
#30
in the 24th and a half...
On the other hand, the Federally manadated emission system warranty WILL remain in effect on a replacement part...they CANNOT circumvent this mandate with the old 12,000 mile/12 month replacement part dance.
03-02-2010, 05:30 PM
#31
Guys:
I am past my warranty. The emissions parts warranty extends longer than the regular warranty right? The regular warranty on engine and transmission is 4 years or 50,000 miles. What is the warranty on exhaust parts? Is it 7 years or 70,000 or 8 years and 80,000 miles? Is this a parts and labor warranty?
Curls:
I know you are in Canada. Are things different over there than in US in terms of the warranty for the emissions components?
I am past my warranty. The emissions parts warranty extends longer than the regular warranty right? The regular warranty on engine and transmission is 4 years or 50,000 miles. What is the warranty on exhaust parts? Is it 7 years or 70,000 or 8 years and 80,000 miles? Is this a parts and labor warranty?
Curls:
I know you are in Canada. Are things different over there than in US in terms of the warranty for the emissions components?
03-02-2010, 07:27 PM
#32
Someone stole "My Garage"
I'm pretty sure the warranties are the same length, but converted (roughly) for the miles vs km's difference. I don't know for sure but I believe emissions are 6 or 8 years. This does NOT include the exhaust system, but does include a few sensors and the catalytic converter. Does NOT include the O2 or A/F sensors though (I know... my A/F sensor went out a few years ago to the tune of $220 non-warranty dollars. Ouch).
03-03-2010, 03:33 PM
#34
I might get a hiflow cat to save my other cat for awhile. My integra cat went out at about 120k miles.
03-04-2010, 12:16 AM
#36
All Acuras, 2006 and newer have this different, longer and better 6yr/70K warranty?
Although, I am not worried much. My car will sail thru 70k in less than a year.
03-04-2010, 12:25 AM
#37
Guys, some questions:
1) Isn't the ECM the main computer in the car that sits either underneath or very close to the glove compartment box?
Good to know that this ECM has added warranty
2) Has anybody heard of any TSX ECM computers going bad on this forum? I can only remember one situation of a member with a bad ECM. It happened when his heater core started leaking and the ECM got drenched. Other than that, it looks like it is solid.
1) Isn't the ECM the main computer in the car that sits either underneath or very close to the glove compartment box?
Good to know that this ECM has added warranty
2) Has anybody heard of any TSX ECM computers going bad on this forum? I can only remember one situation of a member with a bad ECM. It happened when his heater core started leaking and the ECM got drenched. Other than that, it looks like it is solid.
03-04-2010, 04:21 PM
#38
Other than that guy, I haven't read of anyone else having a ECM problem.
04-20-2010, 11:49 PM
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Well, 391 miles after the second cat was installed the #2 O2 sensor has failed. Are there any techs out there who may have seen a service bulletin on this problem?
