Rep Power: 0

Hi

I recently bought a 1.8 2011 Civic a few months ago. Due to some family problems, i haven't had a chance to service the car. But I noticed I've had to top up the oil a few times. A few weeks ago, I noticed the car didnt feel as smooth, especially when I'm in gear 1 or 2. Yesterday, the maintenance light came on, the P0420. Ive searched online but I haven't been able to find if there's a link between the code and the oil issue. Also can I still drive it, I dont get paid for a few weeks. Thanks

 
Rep Power: 222

You can still drive it, just make sure you keep the oil topped up. The burning oil is damaging the cat, eventually it will clog it. The only way to stop that is to fix the engine.

 
Rep Power: 0

Ok thanks, so my car drinking the oil is causing cat issues? thanks for the feedback. is there a way I can find out what's causing the oil.

 
Rep Power: 222

It slowly killed the cat over time. It's probably the rings, maybe the valves, maybe both. More than likely cheaper and way quicker to dump in an engine rather than rebuilding yours

 
Rep Power: 126

Depending on your location (regarding inspections), the absolute cheapest option would just be to remove the catalytic converter entirely if you're okay with having the light on permanently. That would more or less restore engine function (obviously you'd still need to add oil and the consumption would still worsen over time but there'd be no restriction from the cat) but would come at the cost of worsened emissions and more noise.

That's your call to make, though.

 
Rep Power: 0

Ive googled the code, wouldnt the cheapest to start with the 02 sensor? I've been driving every day this week for work long distance. But last night in Bham city centre, I stalled, and I couldn't get the car to start. I called RAC, While I was waiting, I kept trying to start it. The lights were on, but the dash board was going crazy with check system, abs, low fuel warnings. After an hour, it started up, and the original warning light has gone off too

 
Rep Power: 222

In my experience, when that code is present, it's never the o2 sensor, it's the cat. You can try if you want, just make sure you buy the correct denso one. Failure to restart after stalling might be because the exhaust was hot and restricted in the cat, but I'm not 100% sure.

 
Rep Power: 0

I agree with you.