[celicool]

OP is from CA which has one of the most strictest smog inspections in the nation. All 3rd party CATs must be CA certified to be used in your vehicles, or you will fail smog inspection. Unless you know what you are doing, let the muffler shops handle that for you.

 

[Nickylangosta]

In the rockauto website the CA cats are labeled. They do cost a bit more though.

 

[davegod75]

those quotes are highway robbery. Also I'm pretty sure the heat shields can be reused. No need for new ones if you re buying honda CATs.

 

[pandrson]

I just had mine replaced for about $2,500 including taxes, at a local shop. I would've done it myself but couldn't figure out what was wrong with it.

 

[zembu]

That's CRAZY money. Here in Maine we can use aftermarket cats but I know you're in CA...but still. INSANE prices. I would definitely get multiple quotes and start with the cheaper stuff first. I'd happily buy your van and if you drive it out here to Portland, I'll even buy you a return airline ticket!😃

 

[05OddyVany]

• Honda Bolts x8: $203.20

Get the heck out of here with that. $25 per bolt? Not even your single-use TTY head bolts are that expensive.

• P0420: Catalytic converter system, bank 1 - efficiency below threshold
• P0430: Catalytic converter system, bank 2 - efficiency below threshold
• P0455: Evaporative emission (EVAP) system - large leak detected
• P0300: Random/multiple cylinder(s) - misfire detected
• P0306, P0305, P0304, P0302, P0301: Cylinders 6, 5, 4, 2, and 1 - misfire detected

All of these can be related to leaky gaskets. Before putting out any big fix-it money make sure you get a SMOKE TEST done and repair any leaks.

 

[kselfri]

They are 2x too high, 100% markup on the most expensive parts:

18190-RGL-A00 = $1,074.64
18290-RGL-A00 = $748.56

The part prices are from a reputable Honda dealer I've used many times for online orders:

OEM Honda Parts at Balise Honda | Honda Automotive Parts

Majestic Honda has great deals on genuine OEM Honda replacement parts and accessories. Get factory direct Honda parts shipped quickly to your door.

www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

 

[waladand]

I would buy all the parts from rockauto and go to an independent garage to get this done. You would pay about a third of that price.

That was my thought.

 

[waladand]

• Honda Bolts x8: $203.20

Get the heck out of here with that. $25 per bolt? Not even your single-use TTY head bolts are that expensive.

• P0420: Catalytic converter system, bank 1 - efficiency below threshold
• P0430: Catalytic converter system, bank 2 - efficiency below threshold
• P0455: Evaporative emission (EVAP) system - large leak detected
• P0300: Random/multiple cylinder(s) - misfire detected
• P0306, P0305, P0304, P0302, P0301: Cylinders 6, 5, 4, 2, and 1 - misfire detected

All of these can be related to leaky gaskets. Before putting out any big fix-it money make sure you get a SMOKE TEST done and repair any leaks.

That one also seemed to irk me also. Two hundred dollars for 8 bolts is ridiculous.

 

[WheelMaker]

First, you don't need Honda cats. Good aftermarket will do just fine, that is if you actually need them.

Second, your misfires may be causing cat clogging issues. What is your model, as EX-L and Touring have problems with oil burning.

I'd fix your misfires and the evap issue. Then drive for a while and see if your other codes come back. Once your clean, you can always try cat cleaner as they may be just carboned up

Not sure where you are located, but in California the aftermarket cats will likely fail bi-annual SMOG inspection. If the inspector looks for the EO or CARB plates and they're not there, you're boned anyway. And from what I've seen, the stock heat shields don't fit on the aftermarket Odyssey converters.

The aftermarket cats utilize a reduced amount of rare-Earth metals and will likely not get the NOX levels down to an acceptable level. Us NSX guys are struggling with this in California, as our cars are getting older. Many guys install aftermarket cats only to find they perform (SMOG-wise) WORSE than their factory cats with 100k miles did.

 

[Royalbiggster]

All of those prices are above MSRP. They are 100% ripping you off. No question about it. Going to the stealership will be cheaper. At least the parts will.
That doesn't even include the 3rd cat which is likely what is clogged with either just the 1st car or possibly both cats guts.
Take a temperature reading at each cat. It should be hotter after each cat. If it is hottest before the 3rd cat, that is likely due to the one or more of the 2 cats falling apart. If it is hotter after each cat they are working as intended. If they are hotter before the cats, that is a clog. Must check temperature at operating temperature, and use a non-contact infrared thermometer. If it has the ability set it to capture the max temp, and move the temperature around before the cat. Make note of the temperature, and do the same after the cat. If it hotter after the cat, you are good. If it is hotter before it is bad, if it is the same temperature before and after it has fallen apart.
An easy way to see if the cats are clogged, but harder to determine if it is slightly clogged is to feel the air at the tailpipe. Careful as pieces of the cat can fly out and burn your bare hand. Use a paper towel or something, and have someone rev the engine. Feel if there is a lot or barely any air getting out. This is good test if the cats have fallen apart and are clogging the 3rd cat.

 

[stevenwalton]

I have a 2007 ex with 220,000 on it and have never replaced the cats if i were you i would look for some used cats maybe from a junk yard or after market place. He's quoting you for brand new Honda parts that cost a fortune. If the engine and trans is good get a couple used cats for cheap and call it a day.

 

[dbier]

That seems ridiculous.

FWIW, I have used a local “cash only” exhaust shop to replace cats on my son’s Accord and on my Passat. They welded in very cheap aftermarket cats for about $200 each. Parts and labor.

I do not expect them to last long but they got me through emissions testing and there is no exhaust leak.

I recommend you seek out exhaust shops and get estimates from them. I bet you could get this all done for less than $2,000 if you were willing to go with aftermarket cats.

I second that approach. I replaced the Cat on my 2004 Volvo with a "factory fit" one from Rock Auto for about $600 (plus my no cost labor). It has lasted 6 years but is now toast and I will have to do it again before my next emmissions test this coming December. Assuming the volvo is still running, it'll be worth the investment to keep it available for family use.

 

[Royalbiggster]

I would look for some used cats maybe from a junk yard

I wish junk yards would sell their cats. Legally they can't. At least none of the ones in my state. I have noticed that the bank 1 cat is usually left behind on the junkyard Honda/Acura v6's. Only way you are getting out the door with it is if you can convince them it is an exhaust manifold, and not a cat.

 

[skelsall]

At 296,000 miles, my 2003 EX-L continues to pass California Smog Test with original catalytic converters. The only related repair was to change the oxygen sensor...

...have you replaced the oxygen sensors and rechecked your codes?

Did a Honda Certified Mechanic diagnose your issues and advise you to replace the cats?

Good luck & please let us know your progress with your Odyssey.

 

[jayrock]

I just had mine replaced for about $2,500 including taxes, at a local shop. I would've done it myself but couldn't figure out what was wrong with it.

I'm not familiar, but why would you need to replace these. What makes them go bad? I have an 08. Is this something I need to plan for?

 

[hpark21]

I'm not familiar, but why would you need to replace these. What makes them go bad? I have an 08. Is this something I need to plan for?

Usually due to VCM causing oil leaks -> dirty/incomplete burn in cylinder -> wet or excessively dirty exhaust -> rear bank cat to go bad (usually, VCM bank but with 08 and up, front cat also can go bad) -> this usually will cause some catastrophic discharge from upstream cats to make the 3rd (downline - under the car) to go bad as well.

Just a thought. Of course, I am not a mechanic nor even a good DIYer so take my explanation with gigantic grain of salt.

 

[thscott]

I'm not familiar, but why would you need to replace these. What makes them go bad? I have an 08. Is this something I need to plan for?

In general, catalytic converters (cats) eventually wear out due to depleted catalyst or they sometimes clog up or just wear out inside. They are often stolen due to the high value of the platinum catalyst inside and/or the high demand for replacement cats.

They sometimes fail prematurely for the reasons hpark mentions above.

If your state does not have required emissions testing or inspection, you can probably get by without them if and when they wear out.

 

[lincolnshibuya]

run away from that shop!!

You can't just replace the catalytic converters without fixing those misfires, in fact those misfires if ignored for a long time will cause your catalytic converters to fail. You are wasting money with a new cat because it will fail if the misfires are not fixed first.

Normally the oxygen sensors are fine, I don't see any codes for that (P0420 is not an oxygen sensor issue)

Fix the misfire codes first and deal with the p0420 codes later.

And what are those shields and bolts for?

 

[SnowmanPA]

I just did a valve job on my 05 Touring with 276k and both front cats looked like new inside. If you haven't muzzled your VCM, that should be the first thing. As others have stated, the misfires and an unmuzzled VCM system will kill your cats.