Well I went to Midas with some sputtering sounds coming from below my '03 Pathie. Turns out both catalytic converters are failing - many air leaks causing the sputtering sound. Midas quoted me about $1K for both converters, $50 for the gaskets, + $237 for labor. Entire job is near $1400.
Does this sound right?
Should I try to buy the catalytic converters online somewhere and then pay to have someone install them?? Thanks for any advice.
2003 Pathie SE, 104,000 miles. Hoping to keep the truck until ~125,000 miles.
Sounds about right for OEM parts. I took a look at replacing my catalytic converter last year (luckily, that WASN'T the problem) and got a similar quote. You can buy also buy aftermarket catalytic converters for a few hundred bucks.
If they're accessible on your car and bolt-on, seems like you might be able to take a stab at replacing them yourself.
Thanks. Also, is this what it means for catalytic converters to "fail"? I've read some other stuff that mention "when my cat converters fail.." Is "failing" just getting rusty holes in them that release air or does it mean something else??? Thanks!
Close to a year ago I got a OBD code that read P0420--Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold. Thought it was cats, luckily it was just o2 sensors.
This is how the mechanic explained it to me: The catalytic converter is an emission control system that reduces pollutants as the exhaust gas passes through the 'catalytic coating', which are rare metals like platinum and rhodium. This lowers NOx, HC, and CO (on three-way cats, at least). One way a cat can go bad is if this coating is covered and is no longer able to make contact with the exhaust and treat the bad gases. Common ways cat can go bad include engine leak allowing bad stuff into combustion chamber and severe overheating.
Thanks all. Update: I went to CarX and they said that the leaks are in just the resonator assemblies on each side. They quoted $215 for each resonator assembly, $30 for gaskets, and an hour of labor. Total $540. I checked repair-pal and they don't list resonator. Also, CarX said there is a 40% chance that the O2 sensors would not come out and that I may have to replace them for $200 each. Ugh. Were they overstating that? Is it really that hard to get the O2 sensors out and then replaced into the new resonators? THANKS!
Hmmm, I'm not so sure about the leaks in the resonator part.
I can tell you about the o2 sensors. They're pretty easy to replace--you just need a slotted socket. They're pretty standard (usually 7/8 or 22mm) and you can even borrow them from autozone.
Check out this schematic of your exhaust system and identify where the two sensors are. Like most cars, there is one upstream and one downstream.
Nico club has the fsm for your year. This page is from the fuel and exhaust section.
An FSM is the factory service manual for the car--super detailed explanations and diagrams of systems and procedures.
You can't put direct links in these forums so you'll have to g00gle 'nico club (one word) + FSM'. That site has a huge directory, and your 03 is there.
Yo - thanks wilburk. But I don't don't know what a Nico Club is nor an fsm. And did you mean to link a page? There's nothing there. Thanks.
gillart - Check out this link to the nico club Pathfinder forum. Very similar to this one.
Also, I just posted yet another thread on this issue. I am still not sure as to whether these things are called Cat converters or resonators. If you look up above here in your thread at the diagram, I believe you are referring to part number 2, which they call a front "tube". In the FSM (Field Service Manual), on a similar diagram for my '02, the same item is part number 11, and is referred to as a "TWC" (or three way catalyst). They are the exact same item, at least as far as location in the exhaust system.
If Nissan could only call it the same thing consistently, it would go a long way to clear things up. My belief is that they like to keep the confusion as it is to avoid having to do any warranty work they can get away without doing.
I have a copy of the FSM, and if you want it, send me your email address and I can send it to you.
Thanks all. Update: I went to CarX and they said that the leaks are in just the resonator assemblies on each side. They quoted $215 for each resonator assembly, $30 for gaskets, and an hour of labor. Total $540. I checked repair-pal and they don't list resonator. Also, CarX said there is a 40% chance that the O2 sensors would not come out and that I may have to replace them for $200 each. Ugh. Were they overstating that? Is it really that hard to get the O2 sensors out and then replaced into the new resonators? THANKS!
Nissan refers to the resonators as "front tube assys." There is a TSB on them for leaks. The seams on the sides split open. They have a $50 patch kit available to fix the leaking front tube assy. Refer Nissan bulletin NTB04-092. You can find it here: 2002 Nissan Pathfinder Service Bulletins - Nissanhelp.com
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