P0420
 

Hey guys,

I have this P0420 on my 2006 Pilot.
Im aware that it has something to do with the cat.
Im trying to save up to get it fixed (cats are hella expensive), but can I still keep driving it with the code on?
And is OEM cat converter really necessary (Ive heard that sometimes the code comes back on if I an aftermarker cat is installed)?
Ive been told that another CHEAP option is to gut the cat converter components out etc.? Have any of you done this?

Thanks

To remove your catalytic converters is illegal. If for some reason you get pulled over and the cop asks or checks, you can get a VI. Yes you can still drive with the CEL but you won’t be running efficiently and will use more fuel. Some aftermarket “race cats” which are half the size of oem don’t clean the exhaust enough so they still throw a code

11 year SUV -- how many kms on the car? Catalytic converters can and do wear out over time, and having 11 years to kill one wouldn't surprise me one bit.

Generally speaking, OEM cats are not necessary. I've only installed performance high flow cats (and exhausts) on my cars, and never had any problems with them before. However, I have read that with certain cars, high flow cats are too unrestrictive for the stupid sensors, and that causes the ECU to throw another CEL.

You can certainly still drive with the code on, and if you don't give a damn about anything, it usually isn't a show stopper either (ie. you won't damage anything else). But in the name of being a responsible vehicle operator, you should definitely get the vehicle repaired properly. Having no cat / non-functioning cats releases a tremendous amount of pollution compared to having a functional cat.

Theres approximately 250k kms on the SUV now.
I got a quote for $1000ish for front cat and $700ish for rear ones. They're darn expensive!

Honestly, with 250k km on the odo, I'd personally think it is time to replace the vehicle with something else, instead of further sinking good money into a high mileage vehicle.