2002 Honda Accord should my car need a new catalytic conver

Tiny
JETT81
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Hi there, I recently replaced the timing belts and water pump on my Accord. After the installation the car is running just like before. A few days later I get a check engine light code P420. I did not do anything about it, after a day or 2 the check engine light went away on its own. Then I took the car on a trip from FL to NJ, no problems there. Once arriving in NJ the light came on again. But went away after 2 days. When I returned to FL, the cat. Convt. Started making a lot of noise at idle and when I let off the gas. It sounded like marbles inside a can. Long story short. It still making noise. But should this car need a new catalytic covt. Already? I know that theres prob. A reason for it go bad. So what should I check first? Thanks guys.( Ps : its only been about 5000 miles since I replaced the timing belt)
Monday, August 2nd, 2010 AT 12:56 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Cats go bad when they go bad sometimes because there old and sometimes from the car running too rich or burning oil. Does your car burn oil?
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
JETT81
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the reply, my car does not burn oil. Almost the same amount that goes in at time of oil changes is what comes out. I also tried smelling the exhaust for rotten egg smell. And nothing.
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010 AT 9:55 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
They don't always smell like rotten egg's when they go bad. Your very welcome though.
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010 AT 10:29 PM
Tiny
JETT81
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
So how can I diagnose that its running rich?
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 9:30 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
On a car that new it should set a code like you got for your P0420 cat code. Pull your spark plugs if there all black then it's running rich but without a code I doubt it is.
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 1:16 PM

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