Ok,
So here I am on the way to work yesterday when my check engine light illuminates in the dash. I go to a honda/acura mechanic shop to have the code scanned. Imagine my surprise when I was told that my catalytic converter needed to be replaced. This is not a warranty item (considered wear and tear), so the dealership wants in excess of $700 to do the job. Surely there has got to be something cheaper out there!

How many miles do you have one your car? The cat is covered under a federal warranty of 8 years, 80K.

regardless of your comment, second generation TL its been out for 5 years, hopefully not passed the 80Kmi... That just means that the dealership atempted to stand behind you while you bend over and service your account.

same thing happened to me. But they covered me.

Well unfortunately for me I have 96,000 miles on my car. So I guess I had better learn how to change this thing out myself

Check a wrecker.... if you can pick up a used one for a couple hundread and install it yourself. You might be able to save tons of money doing that.

I was actually considering doing that, but now that you mentioned it I will go ahead and check into the wrecker yards. If I can find one with less than 50k miles than that will be perfect. Thanks!

look int o performance aftermarket one, the can be found alot cheaper than what they want at the dealer

If you want to install it yourself, beware - exhaust parts can rust badly, and a lot of times to change converter bolts have to be heated up with a torch. So if you look at it and it looks like a tough one - just find a small repair shop that does exhaust work, they should be able to do it for under $50.

Actually, it's against the law to buy a used cat. I don't think you'll find a junk yard to sell you one.

interesting... same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago... still observing it...

just driving along... and check engine light comes on...
now that used to be a nightmare in my civic (all souped up)...
but on a stock TL? im ready to kill somone...

anyway... dealer said same thing... engine code reads from the cat...
they reset it... and told me to observe it...

the light's been goin on / off every couple days... so... duno what to say about that...

To go along with replacing the CAT you may also want to look at WHY it went bad. Those things just don't go bad for the hell of it. I would look at the fuel system and especially the O2 sensor. It that thing goes bad it won't throw a code but will put the ECU in a default (very) rich mode. Hows your MPG on this beast.

I had the same problem at 90k miles, and I also had to replace Oxygen sensor.
My mechanic (used to work for Acura) explained to me that Acura/Honda had a bad design before (Ox sensor was placed on top of CAT converter, where overheats). When I ordered new part, I noticed Oxygen sensor was now located at the end (where it is not likely to get heated up).

Good luck! I have 126k miles on my TL, and that was the biggest repair work so far (unless my tranny goes like many people here).

acura did not change the cats there is two cats for a tl.one for a (ka)and (KL)cars it has to do with emissons one is californa one is fed.

TL has 2 Oxygen sensors - before and after cat.

I think this is a highly valid point, and I will definitely look into those O2
sensor(s). It may just be better to replace it (them) while the cat converter is being replaced. As for the fuel mileage, I haven't seen a decrease at all. I usually get about 325 miles on the tank before going to fill up. My driving is about 50 percent city and 50 percent highway.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can purchase a cat converter?
I am going to try avoiding going to the dealership since I am out of warranty. Thanks!

I'm sure most bigger aftermarket companies make them, just not sure if they have coverage for the TL's. Headman, et al. comes to mind right off.

wut about magnaflow's catalytic converters?? which model wud we need?

just punch out all the material in the cat and then reinstall it. I did that on my 93 acura integra and it passed emiisions, with full exhaust, hollowed out cat, dc sport header, bigger throttle body, intake, cam, turbo

wow!.
now thats what i'm talking about!..

First,they Do Not Seel Used Cat.converters.it's Illegal To Sell Used Cat.converters.
I Would Recommend You To Install Original Cat.converters Because If You Used Aftermarket Converters,it Will Be Very Cheap But Does Not Last Long.
Cat.converters Does Not Effect Your Drivability Issues So...if You Dont Mind Bout That Light..just Drive It.but You Gonna Need To Replace It When It Comes To A Smog Check

Cat will definetely affect driveability if it clogs or melts, creating restriction to exhaust gases.