Base2014RDX

2014 RDX. "Check emission system" light came on and car felt slightly sluggish. Took car to reputable but expensive independent shop that specializes in Honda/Acura. P0430 code was pulled and diagnosis was "deteriorating catalytic converter", so front catalytic converter was replaced. They were unable to tell me the root cause of failure, only some possibilities.

Did anyone also have catalytic converter fail so early? I drive mostly freeway miles so I expected it to last much longer than this. Frigging disappointed with Acura.

colt427

That sucks.
I thought the emission warranty was 7/100 but I see it's 7/70.

thoiboi

More likely than not, it was an o2 sensor getting weaker.. Those typically go bad quicker than the Cat..

EE4Life

For the 2014 RDX, catalytic converters are covered for 8 years/80,000 miles.

colt427

Soon 6/60?

kipsy

I always thought better quality gas (with additives) made them run cleaner, and not get fouled. I use 90 no-ethanol.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

poor fuel can deteriorate the cat's substrate.

Poolman

I have been working on cars for 50 of my 65 years. With that said, could someone explain how a week 02 sensor could destroy a cat?

mgrody

I don't believe anyone is saying that. The posts I've read on the subject point out that a bad O2 sensor can create a code that indicates a bad cat converter.

auskip07

sounds like a fluke. ive had cars where the cats last +200k no real reason for it to go out so quickly

thoiboi

Correct. The downstream o2 Sensor is what determines how well the catalytic converter is running optimally.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

Yuuuuup. I've had the P0430/P0420 code pop up on both my 4G TL and '09 Pilot. Both were solved by replacing the downstream O2 sensor. They were replaced at 150K and 220K miles respectively. I just used a cheap aftermarket sensor since the only purpose of the downstream is to monitor emissions.

It's weird that your RDX would seem sluggish though. In your case, maybe the substrate began breaking down and restricting the airflow. Either that or the shop took you for a ride. Did you confirm that they actually replaced the cat? The P0430 is for Bank 2 which is in the front of the engine. It should look shiny and new. Well, not all that "shiny" since it's relatively unfinished steel. But it shouldn't be rusted or dirty.

Base2014RDX

In retrospective I should have replaced the O2 sensor to see if it would fix the issue before taking it to the shop. But the shop i used is reputable and very expensive ($118 per hour labor) so I trust their judgment.

I use Chevron 91 most of the time so most likely quality of fuel is not the issue. I also change fluids myself and I don't use Honda fluid for anything, but I doubt that led to a bad cat either. I am a bit worried that it is burned oil because it was down a quart when I did my last oil change.

Or maybe just bad luck.

Tech

On my 1999 Honda CR-V at 117K miles.

It gave me a code of P0420 (catalytic converter efficiency) for some weeks prior to failing.
There is an 02 sensor upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter and it is what determines the efficiency.
02 sensors have a life of about 100K miles as listed on the Bosch site.

By the way, when I had the original catalytic converter off for replacement, a slew of sand-like material came out which explains why it would not run (blocked the exhaust system).

Bosch site:
Oxygen Sensors should be checked and/or replaced at -
50,000 km for single and two wire sensors.
80,000 km for three or four wire heated sensors.
160,000 km for planar type sensors