2000 honda accordlx

Maintenance/Repairs
1

BOUGHT IN AUGUST 2000 WITH 140,000 MILES, PAID $6,OOO.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, TOOK FOR SERVICE, SAYS NEEDS A NEW CATYLYTIC CONVERTOR, $700, BUT CAN SURVIVE WITHOUT THIS.

1. IS THIS ACCURATE.

2. Could there be a warranty on this converter?

Thank You

2

No warranty on the converter after 80,000 miles.

How about getting us the actual error code like [P0123]. Maybe it is not the converter, but a sensor designed to monitor the converter. Don’t get your hopes up too far, but it is a good idea to get a second opinion.

Your car may be OK with a defective converter, or maybe not and may be only for a while.  However with a defective converter you will have that CEL on full time, so you will not know about that other problem that might cause some very very expensive repairs and leave you stranded on that lonely dark road.

Even if you need a new converter, likely you can get a non OEM unit and have it installed by a local independent mechanic for a lot less than $700.

3

First, turn off the caps lock.

Second, get another opinion. There may be a less expensive option than replacing the catalytic converter.

There is no warranty on the cat at this mileage.

Even if you need a new cat, $700 is not a lot to spend on a car with this mileage. With a new cat you’ll be good to go for another 100K miles.

But get another opinion before you spend any money.

4
  1. This sounds like a mechanic who is honest ("…it needs a catalytic converter…but, can survive without one."), or, is mistaken from lack of knowledge, or testing.
  2. A greedy mechanic would tell you that you definitely need a catalytic converter, without question.
  3. Since we don’t know the veracity, or skill of the mechanic, you need another car doctor’s (mechanic) opinion. There may be other repairs needed, rather than a catalytic converter. Everything that occurs in the combustion process affects the catalytic converter and the oxygen sensors, for good, or for ill. A trouble code NEVER says to change a part. It says that a certain system needs checking and testing for a fault.
    Here are guideline instructions for a catalytic converter trouble code. It’s handy for even experienced mechanics:
    http://www.obd-codes.com/p0420