Kracked Catalytic Converter

[imported_gtcivic]

Anyone have any experience with a cracked catalytic converter? What does it sound like? how much did it cost to replace? Where's the best place I can get a replacement? any problems with replacing the O2 sensor....?

So far I've got a 2000 Civic Coupe / AEM intake / DC sports stainless steel 4-2-1 headers / and apex N1 cat back.

I'm still having a problem with a rattling sound when my engine cycles through with the AC on. My engine vibrates much more than usual and causes my cat to rattle. It's not the heat shield. Or I could be missing something....

I've pretty much removed everything with a heat shield on the exhaust system. the only heat shields are bolted to the bottom of the car.

Could the catalytic converter have deteriorated already?I've been driving with my silencer on for about three months. I just recently removed it yesterday and found rust flakes were collecting at the opening where the silencer would stop them. Could that have been from the cat? Anyone ever seen this before?

Anyway thanx for your help. Some of you may remember me from a while back. When I got my exhaust the ratteling stopped. I found that the exhaust guy stuck a rubber mount between my gas tank and exhaust flange. It didn't heat up as much but that's still un acceptable.

Thanx again.

[sloEJcivic]

ive had that problem before, and it ends up being that a hanger from the honda, rubs on a hanger from part of the exhaust right by the passenger side rear wheel. it knocks and rattles when the engine gets lugged, or ac comes on. its a bitch but i got over it.

[Toyz-B-Us]

I am assuming it is an ex or si since you have a header and still have a cat. But anyways, more than likely it is the heat shield above the catalytic converter. These things are notorious for rattling and is best fixed by removing the shield with a 10 mm wrench, don't worry you won't notice it gone besides the rattle being gone.

[imported_gtcivic]

Thanx for the posts guys.

I inspected all the hangars on the civic and the exhaust.
It's an N1 Apex and the hangers align with all the existing hangars.

There was an additional protruding hanger behind the rear passenger side wheel and it's actually beign used to pull the exhaust toward the passanger side so the exhaust can clear the gastank more. The exhaust installer put in a circular rubber mount that ties it to one of the hangers protruding from the exhaust. it's definately not that.

There could be chance that it's the top heat shield mounted to the bottom of the car.. but it's not touching anything and it didn't feel loose when I was under there trying to move it. I'm gonna try to repeat the sound and see if i can hold the shield down and see if it comes from it. .....but at first glance it doesn't seem like it's coming from the top heat shield.

any other suggestions?

Does anyone think it's from the mating point between the DC sports header and the catalytic converter? A while back when i had the ceramic one i had the guy tighten it a bit more and that just made the sound soo much worse. It's as if it made the joint between the cat and the headers more rigid and translated more of the vibrations to the catalytic converter....?

Does anyone have a cut out picture of the catalytic converter? do you know if it's welded together inside of it's metal shell?..... could the inner core of the cat be loose?

Thanx again.

oh and I've got a 2000 Civic EX

[imported_gtcivic]

any one else with a suggestion? or am i just thinking into it too much.

[Toyz-B-Us]

I still think it would be the heatshield. I don't think it is a rattle from touching but from resonating, but either way just take it off and see if the sound goes away, I am betting it will.

[imported_gtcivic]

That's a possibility.. but the only heat shields i have are bolted right to the bottom for the car. And they "Look" pretty secure. I'll check it out

I did however find that the joint between my DC sports headers and catalytic converter seems slight askew. Does anyone know if that may cause a problem? rateling? leaking?

And does anyone have any experience with the Apex N1 knocking on the gas tank? it looks like the rear most joint flanges (that bolts the exhaust piece to the main pipe) is floating a bit close to the tank.

I don't hear any knocking noise. It could be the misalignment that's pulling it away. If i try to realign the exhaust it may move close to the tank and might make it hit against the tank. is this safe? shouldn't be a problem? opinions anyone?

[defvayne]

man everyone is giving you like small shit that makes noises period...its your cat....it rattles when you revv the car and then your o2 censor will go bad and and the o2 code will pop up... to replace the cat its only 40-100 depending on what u want.