New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

Hi guys,

I have a 2004 Civic. My catalytic converter needs to be changed. It can't be repaired.

I have two options:
1) buy a new aftermarket part
2) buy an used OEM part

Which option is better? Buying a new OEM converter is out of the question. I don't have $600+ to spend.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

You can find a CARB certified cat brand new for around $350-400. The cheaper cats haven't been known to last. I guess it depends on how much a used factory cat is and how many miles are on it vs a new CARB one.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

Does it have to be CARB certified? I'm in Montreal, Canada so I don't need to pass emissions.

What do you think of this one on Amazon?

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-674-608-Catalytic-Converter-Compliant/dp/B001DRM8FY

If the shipping to Canada is not ridiculous I might buy it.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

Advance auto parts has a online code for 30% off using trt30 at checkout I am going to have to buy for my 6th gen due to cracking comes down to 179 and it's lifetime replacement so I don't care how long it lasts

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

If I'm doing it for a customer, they don't even get the cheapo option, they just don't last reliably. Half the time the cheapies won't even make it past the 1 year warranty period before the P0420 code comes back.

New OEM, or California CARB approved are the only choices I will offer a customer.

If they want cheap they can go be pissed at someone else.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

Thanks for your advice ezone. I will go for the other Dorman that is CARB compliant. It's only $40 more I think.

Just curious, what would happen if you decided not to change the bad exhaust manifold/catalytic converter? Mine is so badly cracked that none of the mechanics wanted to even try welding it.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

Oooh oooh oooh!

I can predict the future: It will not heal itself.







Leaking exhaust =

Carbon Dioxide,
Carbon Monoxide,
Stink,
Noise,
Pollution,
Inaccurate fuel injection calculations due to air leakage

Maybe more but I'm about to fall ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

Haha. All right. Good night and thank you.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

My car won't start at all today. RIP Civic. :(

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

clogged cat is my guess

its like having a monumental diarrhea but your exhaust port suddenly gets 10% of its original size...

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

^Wow, that really painted a picture....

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

I tried a cheaper option first before replacing the part. I brought the car to a garage and they welded it. 1 kilometer later my car just died at the red light. Had it towed to a garage and the mechanic believes it's a bad knock sensor so he will order the part and fix it tomorrow.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

Do you guys believe it could be a bad knock sensor? That's what the mechanic's scan tool showed but I have a hard time believing it's only that.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

Was not the knock sensor. Car died again after it has been replaced. **** man what could it be?

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

1000 different possibilities.
Start at square one and diagnose.

Your mechanic was wrong, now what would he like to do?

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

get a friend with similar car, swap in his cat and test (please ask him before taking the cat out of his car)

that is the part you changed, you should test it...

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

Yep. The new guy was wrong with his diagnosis. I have never seen him at the garage before.

Now I talked to my trusted mechanic and he believes it's the Crankshaft Position Sensor.

If that doesn't work I'll try to test the catalytic converter.

But I'm confident that the problem is the Crankshaft Position Sensor. Another mechanic told me the same thing.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

you have a code scanner? you should have a CEL with a code for a bad sensor. i would start fixing what you know is wrong with the car and go from there.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

I received one by mail today. :)

But the thing is no CEL is on. :(

The mechanic will change the Camshaft Position Sensor today and if that doesn't work he will change the Crankshaft Position Sensor too.

After that if it still doesn't work I will bring it to another mechanic who specializes in electrical problems.

Re: New aftermarket catalytic converter or used OEM?
 

It's now solved. It was a EGR Valve that needed to be cleaned.