The service engine light on my 98 Altima has turned ON. The code scanner read P0420 and the dealer recommended a new CAT with some accessories for a whopping $1200 US$. The codes were cleared by the computer at the dealer. After driving about 10-15 miles, the MIL is again back. On the flip side, I do not see any problems with the engine, drive ability or idling. The dealer also said it is unlikely that the O2 sensors are bad as they have a separate code which was not seen during the diagnosis. Now,
1. Can I continue driving the car without going for the expensive fix?
2. The dealer said it is not recommended to drive the car at speeds above 50mph with the MIL ON. Is this true?
3. Can somebody explain me how I can reset the MIL by disconnecting the battery? Or any links that explain this?
The cat is there as an emissions control device. You can drive it without fixing it, so long as you don't mind making the sky bleed (I guess you don't care about our children's future ). You can reset the light all you want the light will just keep coming on. As far as drive speeds with a chk engine light, well, you really should fix it as soon as possible.
The cat is there as an emissions control device. You can drive it without fixing it, so long as you don't mind making the sky bleed (I guess you don't care about our children's future ). You can reset the light all you want the light will just keep coming on. As far as drive speeds with a chk engine light, well, you really should fix it as soon as possible.
The obvious thing is also that just a catalyst replacement and O2 sensors may not be the root of the problem . If the oxygen sensors were bad or out of range they should have set a code anyway before th cat failure. The cat is probably bad due to a rich mixture from another failed component . Scanning the other sensors ,engine temp , MAF , air temp sensor ,etc to see if they are operating within range should be considered before throwing a wad of money at the car that may not fully repair it.
The cats are know for going out on these cars at about 120k plus.
Unfortunately, like the previous guys said there are many factors that can cause this code, such and intake gasket leaks, fuel injector leaks, exhaust system leaks, or faulty O2 sensors.. Unless you have the ability to test the above items it will get expensive replacing parts..
You don't need to change the way you drive the car. I drove mine normally for almost 10k before I diagnosed and replaced the cat.
so you need to do a tune up before you pull codes. it may not be your can converter. maybe it's the rear O2 censor. you can buy both O2 censors at NGK.com. you most probably have front pre cat converter. and it's most probably melted and clogged(this can lead to engine overheating and failure). take it out and beat it out. if you are not in California you don't need front cat converter. front cat converter is right under exhaust manifold. right where exhaust gases leave the engine.
but removing front pre cat converter is a must for all altima owners.
MickeyKnox,
Please explain, " removing front pre cat converter is a must for all altima owners" from your previous reply.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MickeyKnox
so you need to do a tune up before you pull codes. it may not be your can converter. maybe it's the rear O2 censor. you can buy both O2 censors at NGK.com. you most probably have front pre cat converter. and it's most probably melted and clogged(this can lead to engine overheating and failure). take it out and beat it out. if you are not in California you don't need front cat converter. front cat converter is right under exhaust manifold. right where exhaust gases leave the engine.
but removing front pre cat converter is a must for all altima owners.
What he means is California models have a front cat that mounts on the exhaust manifold and a second one that mounts downstream. Federal models only have one converter at the exhaust manifold.
Some folks with the federal models have gutted the catalyst from the cat on the exhaust manifold and have a less expensive unit installed downstream. A good exhaust shop can help with this.
MickeyKnox,
Please explain, " removing front pre cat converter is a must for all altima owners" from your previous reply.
bryan is right about cat converters locations. some altimas have only one catalytic converter which is downstream. underneath the middle of your car. pre cat is located inside the header or exhaust manifold. to check if you have it you need to look underneath the heat shield of your exhaust manifold.(where the front Oxygen censor is). if you have something like this:
then you have front catalytic converter. I forgot the years. 95-97 altimas have precats. 93-94 don't. I think.
the problem with pre cat is that it is located right where exhaust gases are the hottest. so it melts. downstream the exhaust pipe gases cool down and are not as hot. and rear catalytic converter is intact most of the time. clogged precat --> exhaust gases are trapped--> huge back pressure against pistons--> pistons have to do additional work(push regular combustion gases and gases trapped in exhaust manifold). can lead to overheating of the engine.
a lot of people take out precats and beat them out with a screwdriver and a hummer. mine was about 50-60% melted. it looks ok from outside, but once your start beating it out you see a lot of melted catalyst. you will still pass emissions if you are outside california and get 3-5hp depending on how clogged pre cat is.
if you have money buy obx 4-2-1 header. or if you find get hotshot header.
Last edited by MickeyKnox : Jun 24th, 2007 at 05:17 PM.
What are these "Headers"? and how do they help my situation?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MickeyKnox
bryan is right about cat converters locations. some altimas have only one catalytic converter which is downstream. underneath the middle of your car. pre cat is located inside the header or exhaust manifold. to check if you have it you need to look underneath the heat shield of your exhaust manifold.(where the front Oxygen censor is). if you have something like this:
then you have front catalytic converter. I forgot the years. 95-97 altimas have precats. 93-94 don't. I think.
the problem with pre cat is that it is located right where exhaust gases are the hottest. so it melts. downstream the exhaust pipe gases cool down and are not as hot. and rear catalytic converter is intact most of the time. clogged precat --> exhaust gases are trapped--> huge back pressure against pistons--> pistons have to do additional work(push regular combustion gases and gases trapped in exhaust manifold). can lead to overheating of the engine.
a lot of people take out precats and beat them out with a screwdriver and a hummer. mine was about 50-60% melted. it looks ok from outside, but once your start beating it out you see a lot of melted catalyst. you will still pass emissions if you are outside california and get 3-5hp depending on how clogged pre cat is.
if you have money buy obx 4-2-1 header. or if you find get hotshot header.
in your situation you need to do complete tune up before you pull codes. very often computer gives erroneous codes because there is an air leak, dirty oil, dirty air filter, bad spark plugs which all can cause poor emissions.
as for headers. it's best that you go to howstuffworks.com and learn about combustion engine , exhaust, catalytic converter and why it may malfunction. it's very helpful. header = exhaust manifold.
then what you read here will make a lot of sense and you will have a better idea what parts exactly you need to change. because changing cat converter may not eliminate the problem. I also had the same code. in my case complete tune up fixed it.
I am looking for a reliable & economical catalytic converter for my 98 Altima-2.4L GLE with Federal exhaust manifold. I believe the Universal Fit converters would not work in my case. My options are: OEM CAT ( Very expensive) or After market units (CATCO, D.E.C, Eastern , Walker etc). These are relatively cheaper. My questions:
1. Can I use these after market units reliably on my Altima?
2. Are these really direct fits with OEM spec's as mentioned without the need to do extra cutting, welding etc
3. Which of these brands are recommended?
if you decide to get new cat converter get magnaflow high flow cat converter. call around your automotive stores, exhaust stores. they should have it for around 70-80$. welding is 30-50$ at most. Most shops do cat converter installation for 100$ if you buy cat converter form them.
you will have to weld it to your pipe. you will pass emissions. but change your rear O2 sensor first. it's most probably your rear O2 sensor that is reading your exhaust gases incorrectly.
there is also spark plug fix of your infamous code. search online. basically spark plug fix gets your rear O2 sensor farther away from cat converter. so your exhaust reading is lower.
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