Performance boost/maintenance questions

[dkdontforget]

Alright so i got my moms civic, it has about 185k miles on it, she bought it used at around 110k miles, and i was wondering what things should be done to it or checked because the only thing she got done to it was regular oil changes and one tune up

the previous owner did replace the timing belt, but thats as far as i know of with maintenance,

lets just say nothing else has been done to the car prior, what are some things i should check/worry about?

Also the catalitic converter is bad and need a new one, do you know of any places or ways to get one cheap because they all seem very expensive since i live in CA

Thanks

 

[RonJ]

What problems are you having?

Why do you think the cat is bad?

 

[dkdontforget]

No problems really, i just have a feeling that it might break down on me, just a gut feeling, i rather be safe than sorry.

As for the cat, the CEL light is on and had it checked and its the 420 code i believe saying its under-performing, my mom has been driving with it like that for a little over a year.

 

[RonJ]

P0420 generally indicates a bad cat, but can also indicate an exhaust leak.

Given that the CEL is always on due to P0420, you wouldn't know whether any new codes are thrown. Have you pulled codes recently?

When was the last tune up? How many miles ago? What exactly was done?

 

[dkdontforget]

P0420 generally indicates a bad cat, but can also indicate an exhaust leak.

Given that the CEL is always on due to P0420, you wouldn't know whether any new codes are thrown. Have you pulled codes recently?

When was the last tune up? How many miles ago? What exactly was done?

No i havent checked the codes recently but ill be sure to do that, the last tune up was probably over 20k miles ago

They replaced the spark plugs, the air filter, and im pretty sure they drained the brake system

 

[RonJ]

No i havent checked the codes recently but ill be sure to do that, the last tune up was probably over 20k miles ago

They replaced the spark plugs, the air filter, and im pretty sure they drained the brake system

Yeah, pull the CEL codes (click link in my signature) and do a real tune up --> replace fuel filter, spark plugs (NGK only), plug wires, distributor cap, and rotor, and then adjust the ignition timing using a timing light. The cat is generally killed because proper tune ups are not done or not done regularly.

After you pull the codes, post them and then reset the ECU to see whether any codes return.

 

[dkdontforget]

Yeah, pull the CEL codes (click link in my signature) and do a real tune up --> replace fuel filter, spark plugs (NGK only), plug wires, distributor cap, and rotor, and then adjust the ignition timing using a timing light.

Thanks! will do