Hey,

I have a 2000 Acura TL with close to 130k miles and recently had my check engine light on with a code of PO420. The light was reset but a few hours later it appeared again. I received a second opinion and indeed I was told to replace my catalyst converter with the total job being $1209 with part plus labor.

I obviously do not want to spend that much money and have recently found some websites selling converters at an average price of $170. I am assuming that these are after market prices, but I am a bit hesitant to purchase an after market converter over the internet, but I would like to replace it as soon as possible.

Is it possible for someone to recommend where I can get a reasonablely priced converter from a reputable website, auto store, etc. in the Brooklyn, NY area? OR is it worth getting an after market converter?

Please help.

 

have you tried contacting your local muffler shops, and or your local auto parts stores??

 

a local auto parts shop like auto zone or pep boys?

 

yes

 

You should be able to get a muffler shop to do that for 300-400 dollars... Parts & labor.

You should be able to get an aftermarket catalytic convertor much cheaper than an OEM.

 

1200$$$$ holy shit!! theyre trying to burn u! no, theyre trying to rape u!! u should be able to get a high flow catalytic converter for less than 150$ most major brands carry them for our car. and if your unsure, buy a universal high flow catalytic converter. labor is about an hours worth. if u know a welder even better. give him 25 bucks and a twelve pack and help w/the job. oh yeah, a high flow cat. might give a little extra hp and possible gas savings. although it is possible your o2 sensor is out. it usually happens befor the cat. goes out. which also means u might be running rich which also means u may need other maint. on your vehicle. maybe thats why he was trying to charge u 1200$$ wish u luck

 

try this site http://www.performancecombos.com/converters.cfm they have magnaflow and other good reputable brands. it may cost more than 150$ but itll be worth it

 

i thought there isnt a hi-flow cat for our cars yet...well i do live in CA...so it might b different...

 

WAIT

have the spark plugs been changed yet? this has caused this code in the past...

 

unlikely that spark plugs would throw that code, more likely a bad o2 or a bad cat

 

it's happened before on this board... and a bad plug with a bad burn could cause this

 

like i said unlikely(not that it wasnt it, which there havent been many with that problem) most times out of 10 when the com shows a bad cat its due to something the o2 sensors didnt likea bad spark plug typically comes up with a misfire code

 

thanks guys! i am going to take it to acura to know what it really is because all of your suggestions can be the problem spark plugs, cat, o2. i will keep you guys posted on what acrua tells me as well.