Thank you! I am going to print this out and take it to him.. ok will obviously tip the creator! ha ha I've got to go back to work Monday & this will be a pain if I can't get my car by then..

Victory is close!

Does the CEL stay off now?

OK here's the latest... '98 civic was dying in midair.. replaced cm and coil, (in Honda housing) had just had tuneup, diagnostic was saying 02 front sensor, did testing, mechanic just replaced 02 sensor.. diagnostic now throwing a converter 420 code but converter is not clogged... adv me my car is ready.. is it??

'98 honda civic... 02 sensor replaced, coil, cm replaced, tuneup ngk,? getting 420 code from diag...

P0420--Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold. It may not be blocked but it may be seriously compromised. You will likely have to replace the converter. It may be that whatever damaged the upstream oxygen sensor also impaired the converter.

Did the mechanic install a Denso upstream oxygen sensor? I only recommend Denso oxygen sensors for Hondas. Also, ensure the wiring harness, which the pigtail connector plugs into, is good.

Start using SAE 5W-30 full-synthetic engine oil (e.g. Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum). Change oil and filter every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. Synthetics take much better care of your pollution control systems, prolonging the life of the oxygen sensors, catalytic converter, PCV Valve, and EGR Valve.