Hello to all Honda Civic Users,
For quite some time I was facing loss of power while driving my Honda Civic. The worst, I experienced, was, when going to Pir Sohawa. Even at full pedal the car refused to climb and I feared it will slip back. Lucky I managed at the top and was looking at Suzuki Mehran's which were speeding up to the top without any issue. Secondly I noticed to get more power, as the pick was weak,the fuel consumption started shooting from 9.5 -10 to 7-7.5 km/ltr. After interviewing lot of Civic owners I finally concluded that this was mainly due to the Chocked Catalytic Converter which was not allowing the exhaust gases to pass through thus reducing the power.
What are the various Solutions to this issue:
1. Cleaning: Sorry! if some one says he can clean the Converter, let me assure you that he is taking benefit of your innocence and taking you for a ride. The honey comb structure is enclosed in a casted steel box. You can only access by cutting it. See my presentation at the bottom.
I cannot attach the picture but there are two sets of catalyst in the converter box.
a (Reduction catalyst -It uses Platinum and Rhodium to help reduce the NOx emissions.) & b (Oxidation Catalyst- It reduces the unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide by burning (oxidizing) them over a platinum and palladium catalyst) These two are honey comb filters having very fine pores and exhaust passes through b & a to eliminate the toxic gases. These filter are enclosed in a solid metal case. Note: Since the filter uses precious metal (Platinum & Rhodium) hence they are lot of buyers for the scrap. The scrap is sent to China where the precious metal are extracted.
2. Replace the Catalytic Converter: If you can afford you can get a new one for Rs 60 -70K
3. You can get ( Kabli) Catalytic Converter form a party who deals in spares at the cost of Rs 8500. The contact is 03005329005. Mr Sohail. Delivery 1 week from Karachi.
4. The other solution is to open the Catalytic Converter box . Remove the honey comb clay filter and replace it with metal filters. This ensures all censors are working. Sound of engine stays same and the pick gets.......tooooo sporty and improves manifolds. Only issue here is that you have to satisfy you conscience as after that your car becomes like other cars on the road which are not environmentally friendly e.g Toyota, Suzuki etc.
I consulted the parties who went for solution no 4. All were very satisfied with the work. This job is done by
Mr. Asghar Ali Moughal, Asghar Welding works
Address: Basement no 3, Alnoor plaza, I - 9 markaz. Opposite VEBRA workshop. Islamabad
Contact: 03335177354.
Note: One good thing which amazed me was that through out the work, Mr Asghar fully complied to EHS using all necessary PPE's which was quite unusual. All gadgets had proper plugs and no unsafe practice was observed e.g.use of proper non slip gloves, welding mask, grinder spec etc.
So I took the route 4.
Time taken 2.5 hrs. Costed me Rs 4500/-. Results were amazing. Its is a sport car. I don't believe it. After along time I thoroughly enjoyed the drive,.
For your understanding, a small video will tell you how the catalytic converter works:.
It's called: Deconstructed: Catalytic Converter
Here's the link: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science-channel/31428-deconstructed-catalytic-converter-video.htm
If the link above doesn't work, then copy and paste this URL into your web browser:
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science-channel/31428-deconstructed-catalytic-converter-video.htm
At the end of the day I concluded that with out changing the Catalytic converter the problem cannot be resolved. Cleaning is not possible and presently i am not prepared to spend Rs 70k when I know fuel issue will choke it again. Hence, I took the difficult route and results there after were amazing.
Below are the few picture captured during while the work was being done .
So you keep thinking about your car problems and I am going out to drive my reborn sports car.
With Love
Qaiser Imam
