Greetings!

So... Has anyone else had problems with the catalytic converter on the HCH-I? Mine had to be replaced at 50k miles, and now (at 92k) it's blown again. I'm glad that I purchased an extended warranty!

Is the catalytic converter a *known* component problem with 1st generation Honda hybrids, or am I just unlucky?

 

It isn't a known issue. However, honda has issues a service bullitin for ecu reprograming to fix some issue that could lead to a cat going bad. Have you had the ecu updated done?

 

ya the update prevents the engine from running too lean, which in time will damage the cat converter. what's the update code & how you know if a HCH has the required update?

 

You can also damage the Catalytic Converter by running the car on an almost-empty gas tank.

 

Yeah... The first CAT bit the dust right before getting the software update. This is the second unit to fail. Does the 100k extended warranty cover this part?

 

Is there any way to get Honda to at least *partially* subsidise an out-of-warranty repair? Apparently the so-called extended warranty doesn't cover the catalytic converter, and a replacement costs over $1200. The first one failed at mid-40's, and now I'm at 92k and it's failed again. It's looking lemonesque.

 

All you can do is put up a big stink about their cats only lasting 40,000 and then go up the honda chain until you get someone to listen to you.

 

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but what are the symptoms of a blown cat?
Do you just fail the smog test or something? Or does it hurt performance?
Does the car know, like a check engine light?

thanks,
Kurt

 

It's not a stupid question. a blown CAT will make the car pollute morc and make the Check Engine light turn on. That's pretty much it. It doesn't seem to affect performance. But I'd rather not pollute the air if I have a choice.

 

Cool thanks. Yeah I am with you there. I would want to replace a catcon
if it died too. Another incentive besides pollution is that we have only
one check engine light, so we would not know if a more serious problem arose.

The "too lean" thing makes me wonder if these guys doing mods on their
intake and exhaust are going to make their catcons fail quicker, cause
those mods are mostly just leaning out the mixture.

- Kurt