Just got off the phone with a mechanic and asked him how much to change an O2 sensor, couple hundred bucks. Asked him if it is a big deal to keep driving, he said it could potentially cause problems with the catalytic converter, if it isn't already bad.

I have an 04 TL, is there a chance the catalytic converter is bad? He said it could cost $1k at least to fix it.

Any ideas on what I can do??

 

sorry to say that he's right.
if he's factoring in labor then it very well could be about a grand to replace the cat and O2 sensor.

 

^ - Actually, without more, he could be right. OEM catalytic converters are very expensive.

tji1976 - what state are you in?

 

Agreed, he is right. I went through this exact same ordeal just three weeks ago. Have him replace the O2 sensor first and then see if the Check Engine light comes on again- sometimes it's just the O2 sensor being bad, which in turn throws off the cat. That way you can save a few hundred bucks, don't let him talk you into replacing both at the same time, you should do just the sensor first and then see what happens.

Do not, by any means, keep driving with this issue. It will cause you more headaches for being lazy.

When I replaced one of the O2 sensors, I only got charged $160 for parts and labor here in Utah. I sure hope he's not inflating the price much more above that, otherwise that's highway robbery.

The cat, though, that will make you poor in a hurry. You're on your own with that one.

 

I had to replace an O2 sensor when my car started throwing a CEL. Best place I found for decent prices and fast shipping was acuraoemparts.com if you were to get the parts yourself (to save some cash).

Here's a link for your car:
http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no

 

I have an appointment with Acura on Monday to find out the problem. Hopefully it is just the sensor and not the cat.

BTW - In Omaha NE

 

i have asked this question before without an answer. i plan on installing the pre-cat deletes soon...if i happen to damage an O2 during, but now have zero cats to deal with, what is the risk of driving like that? i would never do so for the long term, just wondering the affects of driving with malfunctioning sensors?

 

If the cat is bad, go the dealer. Emissions parts are covered for a longer period of time under warranty, it's federal law. I think it's something like 8 years, or 80k miles. It might even be more. Check the manual to be sure.

 

Potentially your car will go into a "limp" mode but wont cause any mechanical issues, just lower the overall performance of it. I had the same problem and ran a CEL for a month or so will no ill effects.

 

Just to follow up from my previous post, here is the federal emissions warranty coverage for the 2004 TL.

If you have under 80k miles, the cat is covered under warranty.

http://owners.acura.com/Documentum/W...t/bpl26279.pdf