I can get three cats with bolts and gaskets for approx $150.. and up/down stream 02's (4, 2 for each cat) for about the same.
I realize they're after market and will probably pass inspection only, but the emissions crap is just that . . . my Pilot runs fine, quiet, smooth etc. w/214K on the dial.
Does anyone have any experience with after market cats and sensors?
I have until end of March
I have two cats. One is a calico, the other is a completely black cat. She’s a sweetheart, sleeps with me every night.
What the bloody ‘Ell is going on with you whack jobs? Just get a dog, fer chrisake.
See? That is an example of insufficient background.
‘Watch lots of auto-repair videos on utube....one thing that is shared among the best is to stick with OEM electronics(sensors, etc)...particularly among Japanese/Euro brands.
I like turtles.
You are talking of getting catalytic converters, when you keep speaking of “cats” for your exhaust?
Our son’s 2014 Ford Escape came up for its first California smog. There’s a small crack in the block causing smoke, so we used a coolant additive that sealed that up. Changed the O2 sensors. It passed smog with the original cat.
Then, a month later, the transmission went BLOOIE and it won’t run. Of course, we just sank a few thousand in it doing timing belt, ball joints, CV joints, all fluids, etc. It is the SECOND tranny in the car, too. The first one went BLOOIE at 90k on the clock and was replaced under warranty.
He is so screwed. It’s now worthless. The cost of a rebuilt tranny installed is the same as a used car!
No advice to you other than stay away from Ford Escape. I just wanted to share our misery.
Good luck.
Here’s a thought. Maybe arrange for a gang to steal your cats and have insurance replace them. Leave it outside a few nights up on jack stands and maybe leave a battery-powered Sawzall lying near the car.
You might want to watch this YouTube video from “Mike The Backyard Mechanic”. I saved it at the point where it starts providing some information that might be useful to you..
https://youtu.be/vmqnWPFzDtA?t=210
From watching internet videos new O2 sensors seem to be a crap shoot. You might be better off keeping the old ones if they work.
Way way back for a Datsun to pass inspection. I ran the gas tank to nearly empty. Then bought a gallon of pure ethanol at the hardware store. Poured it into the tank. I passed!!!
After passing, I immediately filled up the tank to dilute the ethanol. Which harms gaskets and seals.
you should be able to get the identical O2 sensors used by your manufacturer from RockAuto for dirt cheap ... the car makers don’t make their own, but buy them from a 3rd party and put their own brand on them ... i bought both up and down for my 2000 prelude from rockauto, and the only difference was the brand name on the box ... i also bought the special slotted O2 sensor socket from amazon ...
Check out test pipes on eBay. They resemble a catalytic convertor except there’s no innards.
My mechanic never knew. His comments on the complete new exhaust system as he pointed to the test pipe. I bet that cost a pretty penny.
I never said a word.
Cat went out on a Ford pickup at 2 years. Fortunately the warranty is 8 years so it just cost me the diagnostics at my trusted mechanic that sent me to the Ford dealer.
You have to be careful about who you buy cats from off of ebay.
I have used several aftermarket cats and have had good success. Check Rockauto prices.
Replaced many cats in my day, a few catalytic converters too.
Buy the best O2 wrench you can. Try to loosen the O2 sensors prior to soaking with penetrating stuff. BTW replacing the O2 sensors will likely give you some improved gas mileage.
The CC’s are problematic, if they test for Nitrogen oxides if they are bad they will fail. Typically they aren’t all that bad to replace. Budget a day if you aren’t used to working on things. I’ve had very good results with CCC’s from Summit:
Check engine light on?
Do you have an OBD 2 reader?
Are you getting codes?
I cheated the Oxygen sensor by using a cheap spark plug extension bushing, keeping the Oxygen sensor bout a quarter inch a away from it’s original position.
Guy on you tube has a video on how to cheat it.
Search P0402 code cheat
I’m not saying I do this, but they sell a spacer that goes between the downstream oxygen sensor and the pipe. I have yet to see one of these devices not turn the check engine light off.
Just saying.
If you want to fix it the right way and don’t expect it to last forever, Walker aftermarket converters are probably the only brand I would buy aftermarket. They come with a 5-year 50,000 mile warranty
Your Pilot is almost 20 years old. How long do you plan to keep it? Just know if you spend a few thousand now you will spend a few more thousand dollars down the road. But that’s probably cheaper than car payments.
Fix it. But don’t buy OEM.