99' accord LX V6 - to make a long story short about a month ago I was driving on highway (about 50 mph) and accelerated hard to pass someone and the car started jerking (sputtering) let off the gas and was fine. Nothing happened since yesterday, on my way home from work (50 miles oneway) closer to home it jerked again, same thing? From reading on here sounds like it might be one of three possible items: CAT clogging, bad cap & rotor, or O2 sensor?? My check engine light is on & it is pulling a O2 code, but correct me if I'm wrong an O2 sensor strictly "senses" wether it is to lean or to rich and has nothing to do with controlling the CAT flow?? Any advice would help.

p.s. also the second cam on the throttle body (the cheap plastic one), the carrier holder is cracked and this cable is fully attached to that cam any more, it stays in place most of the time, not sure what that second cable does or of it relates? thanks.

 

What error code number? There's quite a few different ones that relate to the multiple oxygen sensors on your car. Two of the sensors actually do control fuel rate.

That 2nd throttle cable is probably for the cruise-control, if I get your description correctly.

 

good call on the cruise, it doesn't work. that would explain, so that rules the cable out.

 

It's pulling code p042 Catalyst syste efficiency below threshold (bank 1)?? If it is the CAT clogging can I hollow it out, where I live there are no emissions test, just a visual? Or will this cause problems later down the road?

 

Hollowing it out will not make the error go away. It might be sluggish O2 sensors - any of them.

Got any exhaust leaks? O2 sensors actually measure oxygen DIFFERENCE from inside to outside. So exhaust blowing onto the outside of the sensor can throw off the measurement. Same for oil or crud dripping onto the outside of the sensors.

Car is 11 years old - are the O2 sensors original?

 

Not sure if they are original or not, just recently bought the car off of a young kid for a run around vehicle. Any good recommendations for a reasonably priced O2 sensors & direct fit cat?? Figure start w/ O2's then go from there, should I just replace the one at the cat?