Dthelgnd

I am new and looking for some help. I have a 2000 civic ex. Can anything be done to get the check engine light to go off by taking out internal components of catalytic converter?

ezone

Absolutely NOT.

Dthelgnd

What is this Spark plug Non fouler about?

ezone

You got a code? What is it?

A fouler won't pass a visual exam when it comes time for emissions testing.

Dthelgnd

What do you mean A fouler won't pass a visual exam when it comes time for emissions testing?
The code I am getting is saying Cat is operating below efficiency.

ezone

I meant exactly what I said.
It is considered "tampering".



Easy:
Figure out WHY it is bad.
Fix that.
Then replace the cat. Use factory parts.

Dthelgnd

So what you are telling me is that there is no way around the cat?

ezone

Not if you have to make it pass an emissions test.

Dthelgnd

More so to keep check engine light off.

ezone

Sure, try the no-fouler trick then.
The environment won't care that there is one more polluter running around.

If you do it, expect a drop in gas mileage too.

/hugs a tree

Dthelgnd

I just looking for suggestions If your telling me that I have to stay with the cat to have things working properly. That's all I need to know. Wasn't looking for polluting issues.

ezone

There's only ONE way for it to be proper.

There are plenty of ways to do almost anything wrong. None are guaranteed to actually work as desired.
Like I said, it can and has been done. You can try it and see what happens. If it keeps the idiot light off, then it was dirt cheap.
But don't hold your breath, and don't whine if it doesn't work the way you wanted it to.

Dthelgnd

Hey if something isn't going to work I do not want to waste my time. Like I said I was looking for an acceptable way around this issue. If there is only one proper way then that is what I will have to go with.

ezone

Have you checked the price of both options yet?

Dthelgnd

Which options? If a non fouler is going to cause other polluting issues, then it is not worth considering.

yosef22

you can just pull the oxygen sensor out... you wont fail emmission tests because the computer will bypass it...

ezone

That won't keep the light off.

And the majority of emissions testing includes reading the monitors and fault code data. Instant fail.

hawkijustin

what would using the non fouler trick have anything to do with gas mileage? It would just read that the air going from the cat is cleaner than the air going into the cat. Its just tricking the ECU. I thought The 2nd o2 sensor has nothing to do with air/fuel mixture?

ezone

Sometimes, but not always.

On some of the cars, the rear sensor is also used for fuel control, more at certain times than others. So it CAN affect mileage. (I can't tell you which cars do, or just how much influence it has, but I know it is done.)

A huge part of PCM strategy is to keep emissions levels down and keep the cat alive.....think of the PCM as "life support" for the cat. The PCM may want to adjust fuel to keep the cat operating in its efficiency range too, and it may choose to use the rear sensor to do that.

Just sayin'.