2000 Accord SE ULEV Converter Replacement

I will eventually need to replace the converter in my 2000 Accord with
the 23A4 engine, which is a ULEV model. The car has 145,000 miles on it,
and the media is coming apart inside and rattling. Searching the online
parts sources, converters for the standard motor are readily available
and reasonably priced, unlike the factory model that comes with a $1500
sticker that will put me in a serious financial hole.

All of the aftermarket converters I saw advertised had some sort of
disclaimer such as not available in California, not for the SULEV, won't
fit California Emissions, etc. I just want it to work, and as long as it
will do the job it is supposed to and pass my MD emissions test next
year, fits my exhaust system, and won't adversely affect the way it
runs, I will be happy.

Will the aftermarket stuff work, or am I screwed?

 

My memory is horrid but it seems to me there is an extended warranty
period for emissions systems in certain honda vehicles.

If a standard cat will work - consider going to a junk yard - I like to
take the part I am replacing with me so that when the knuckle dragger
comes out with "your" part, you can do a face to face comparison.

If you do it yourself - only way to get the bolts off of a cat is to
use an angle grinder and grind them off - use eye protection - full
face mask.

In my state, WI - the state polution testers just hook into the
computer on your car and take that reading. If you stop a couple of
blocks from the testing station and take out your fuse that powers the
"computer", it will clean out any trouble codes until you go over about
30 MPH again. They used to accelerate vehicles on the test stands to
45 mph or so on the odometer - however they managed to get some big
lawsuits when they screwed up people's cars. Now they only read the
computer output. Mine always passes but if you are pressed for bucks -
that might be a temporary solution to get your vehicle to pass the
emission test - oh they do use a mirror and look to see if you do have
a cat and a muffler and that your exhaust appears to be in one piece.

good luck - sorry that had to happen to you but that extra expense for
the ULEV cat is a reason not to buy one of those vehicles. I am a poor
boy.

 

8yr/80k for emissions parts. I think this is Federal mandate, not just
Honda. Just had mine replaced under warranty at 79xxx.

 

i dont see why a standard 3-way catalyst wouldnt work. i used one in a
1975 MG, where the cat is located right under (and connected to) the
exhaust manifold. the old cat was either gutted or fell apart through
the years. the new one passed the test with flying colors.

required unbolting the whole A-pipe section of the MG exhaust, cutting
the flange off, welding it on the cat, then bolting the pipe back on the
cat.

if the cat ever goes in my 98 civic CX (california emissions) i plan on
doing the same thing.

 

dunno bout other places, but its illegal to sell a used cat converter in
california. pretty pointless, too... a new aftermarket one is about $100.

may or may not. some codes will pop up again immediately once the car is
started.

im not sure about the screwing up of peoples cars, but some places DO
allow a computer scan. probably due to garages not wanting to buy
dynamometers.

heh... my MG had a cat, too. it was hollow.