On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 11:08:31 -0400, "SR-71" <sr71@rous.com> wrote:

>I'm curious, in your experience, what life would you expect out of the
>original Honda Catalytic Converter?
>
>More specifically, here's my background FYI:
>1998 Accord V6 with 145000 miles, half freeway, half stop-and-go driving
>everyday for two hours total a day.
>
>Recently, the MIL was on with 3 codes:
>P0401(67) - EGR Insufficient Flow Detected
>?????(90) - EVAP Control System Leakage
> -Two codes transpose to (90).
>P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold
>
>I had the local Honda dealership perform the EGR port clean for free under
>the past recall. But that night after the service, I received P0420 again.
>I returned to Honda hoping I could find another item under warranty, but no
>luck.
>
>I've been told that I need a new catalytic converter. Obviously, I
>questioned them as to how they arrived at their conclusion, confronting them
>about checking more than just the MIL, e.g. exhaust manifold pressure, etc.
>The response was that it was not necessary, and the computer only test was
>very accurate.
>
>I do plan on doing plenty of testing myself before buying a new converter,
>but the part that struck me was the fact that I was told repeatedly that
>145K mi was "well past" the lifetime of the converter.

Had you driven any length of time with the MIL on? That can be enough to
finish off a catalytic converter which is past its best. Freeway driving
for any length of time, especially every day, should be enough to burn off
any contamination and keep a cat in good shape - your mileage seems early
to me for it to fail based on your driving habits. Is the engine getting
up to full operating temp and giving good heat?... IOW no sign that the
thermostat might need replaced.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??