2002 Honda CRV 20% Reduction in Gas Mileage

2002 HONDA CRV
132,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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HOBIE18
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I recently changed the cat converter on my CRV and one of the O2 sensors but have noticed a 20% reduction in gas mileage. The mechanic has confirmed there are no diagnostic issues being reported on the car and the filters have all been replaced too. I did not buy a Honda converter - opting for a less expensive replacement and the mechanic that installed it was a bit concerned that the fit was "close" and might be noisy or leak. He offered to weld the seam if that was a problem. If there was a significant leak in front of the converter - would that equate to a loss in fuel mileage?

Any other suggestions? ..are there any really common problems that cause this with the CRV?
Mar 17, 2009 at 10:15 PM
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2CARPRO JACK
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Tire pressure is a common thief of mileage, but if this happened after the cat was installed, it may not be flowing enough for the engine and causing the poor mileage. Any exhaust leaks should be repaired, they can throw off the o2 sensors.Was any other work done before the loss in mileage?
Mar 18, 2009 at 7:55 AM
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HOBIE18
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No other work has been done other than to replace air filters, etc. The O2 sensor was changed after the converter, but the mileage reduction seems to have started with the cat change. Is there a way to verify if the new cat is not flowing peroperly?
Mar 18, 2009 at 9:26 AM
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2CARPRO JACK
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That is usually done with a backpressure gauge. The shop that installed the cat may have one
Mar 18, 2009 at 9:52 AM