Engine light code P0421
 

I am new to the forum but have read loads of good info already. I have a 2000 mpv with 120K miles. Inspection this year said bank 1 exhaust manifold was cracked. I had hoped he was wrong considering how outragiously priced a new on was. Now a month later, the CEL has come on, checked code and it said P0304 (misfire on 4 cyl) and DTC pending codes P0421 (bank 1 catalyst). Soo I think the guy was right, looks like there may be a crack or something wrong, even though I have no idea how he could see a crack way up there under all those heat shields ? I was wondering has anyone tried a remanufactured CAT, I found one for a fraction of the cost the dealer wanted for new. If this is a good option, has anyone been able to replace the right bank (firewall) by themselves, how do you get to the bolts? almost looks the engine has to drop out?? HELP, I am trying to keep our beloved van, I can not afford a $1500 repair bill.

RE: Engine light code P0421
 

did you let the dealer work on your van? did they worked on something around that area? i had a bad experienced with the dealer because i do most of the maintenance and they only do the warranty job. The Irwin Mazda here in rt 9 new nersey broke one of the stud connecting the exhaust manifold and the head and they blamed me that i took in my van with a broken stud. they even crushed my oil filter. after i took my van home i always inspect eveything they did and around the engine and thats how i found out that oil filter was crushed and they are the one told me that one of the stud is broke.