# 1997 Honda Accord cat failure

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-honda-accord-cat-failure/123990>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** accord, honda\
**Created:** [August 29, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-honda-accord-cat-failure/123990 "2018-08-29T20:33:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Linda53](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Linda53](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Linda53)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-honda-accord-cat-failure/123990/1 "2018-08-29T20:33:54Z")

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Dear Car Talk  
My 1997 Honda was stolen then found but with out the CAT so I had a mechanic replace it (Home garage) ran excellent now check engine light on an was told needs another CAT only been a year so not sure if I should replace again also leaks oil( bad) and need control arm all for my inspection-Love the car runs like a race horse 🐎  
Some advice please  
Oh I can ride the bus for free I’m a senior 👌🏻

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-honda-accord-cat-failure/123990/2 "2018-08-29T21:18:08Z")

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Cat lasted for a year and was installed by a home mechanic. Hmmm. There is your problem. There may be other reasons the cat failed and they may not have been fixed by this “mechanic.”

Can you post the exact code the “mechanic” told you you had? Would it be P0420 maybe??

If you want to keep this car on the road, you will need a real mechanic to correct the problems. Look here for a suggestion;

> **[Mechanics Files](https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files)**
>
> Car Talk from NPR. Car advice, tips, troubleshooting, and answers to your car questions. Find a mechanic, hear past shows, play the puzzler, join our discussion boards, and learn safe driving tips.

The cost may be more than its worth or you are willing to spend to keep this car running. But you always have the bus!