My 2011 CRV AWD has 2 cats - front & back. While the back is accessible from below, the front sits just behind the engine. Does anyone know the procedure to replace the front cat? I've seen a vid where one mechanic lowered the engine to clear just enough space to do the job. I also read where one needs to only remove the the airbox to get the room to replace the part.
Joel from NJUSA 2011CRV
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The front is called the "Warm-up TWC." OEM Honda service manual says:
![146524]( "146524")
I don't see anything about needing to lower the engine. Honda's method requires removing the cowl panel to get access from the top. There are a few parts to remove. For step #2 above:
![146526]( "146526")
To remove the fender trim:
![146527]( "146527")
...and the cowl covers (the plastic beneath the wiper arms):
![146528]( "146528")
It's a lot of work, but other than the plastic retaining clips, probably less risky than attempting to lower the engine.
For anyone else reading along, the 2007-2009 only use one catalyst, where the 2010-2011 with the K24Z6 engine uses a warm-up catalyst at the engine and an under-floor catalyst in the traditional spot.
I don't see anything about needing to lower the engine. Honda's method requires removing the cowl panel to get access from the top. There are a few parts to remove. For step #2 above:
To remove the fender trim:
...and the cowl covers (the plastic beneath the wiper arms):
It's a lot of work, but other than the plastic retaining clips, probably less risky than attempting to lower the engine.
For anyone else reading along, the 2007-2009 only use one catalyst, where the 2010-2011 with the K24Z6 engine uses a warm-up catalyst at the engine and an under-floor catalyst in the traditional spot.
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Sounds good! It is a lot of work, but without the service manual it would be hard to figure out what needed to be removed, or even know that the cowl panel was removable. I probably would have been underneath the CR-V myself for hours, wondering why it wouldn't come out. 😁
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Cool, isn't it? 👍👍 Honda's ability to make a low-emission engine with no catalyst and using leaded fuel was amazing for its time. And all the while, the US manufacturers were making their engines weaker and adding what we called "smog equipment" back then. The power output specs on some of those big block engines were pathetic. Some common-as-dirt Hondas today are more powerful than some of them.
I remember seeing those CVCC-powered Civics while growing up. Took me a while before I learned what it meant.
BTW, some Hondas now have three catalysts--the V6s. They have one warm-up catalyst for each bank of three cylinders, plus a third under the floor. The only advantage is that a thief can only steal the one underneath the floor--the others take way too much work to get out. But if you have engine issues that clog the cats, that's a big repair bill looming.
I remember seeing those CVCC-powered Civics while growing up. Took me a while before I learned what it meant.
BTW, some Hondas now have three catalysts--the V6s. They have one warm-up catalyst for each bank of three cylinders, plus a third under the floor. The only advantage is that a thief can only steal the one underneath the floor--the others take way too much work to get out. But if you have engine issues that clog the cats, that's a big repair bill looming.
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