QuestionI have been led to believe that there is two converters, one in the manifold and one in the muffler system. The one in the manifold is the one in-between the two O2 sensors. Have I been misled? The error code was P0420 I believe. Thank you again for your time.
Peter
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Followup To
Question -
I have a 2001 Nissan Altima and the check engine light has come on and it is reading the Catalytic converter has gone bad, which I was to understand they can not go bad. I did change both O2 sensors and gave the car a tune up and the light went out, but now it is back on. Funny part is I passed emissions after doing the tune up and O2 repair. Do catalytic converters in the manifold really go bad and could it be something else? Thank you very much for your time.
Answer -
Hi Pete,
There is one catalytic converter on your car. It's located on the exhaust pipe about half way down the car. There is no catalytic converter in the manifold. Catalytic converters go bad constantly. I replace 2 a week. You passed emissions because the check engine light was off. Have your cat replaced and you will see your car doesn't take 20 minutes to hit 60 mph! hehehe
AnswerAh, you have Cal emissions. Yes, you do have two. The front one is just south of the manifold, bolts directly to the manifold and runs $472. The rear one is $592. Book gives .8 of an hour to install either one. Looks like a 3 beer job to me.
If you use a fuel injector cleaner then you can clog the cats. I replaced another one just today.
P0420, Malfunction is detected when 3 way catalyst does not work correctly or 3 way catalyst does not have enough oxygen storage capacity.
Possible causes:
Bad Cat
Bad exhaust tube
Intake air leaks
Injectors
Injector leaks
Spark Plug
Improper ignition timing
Hope this helps. These are listed in order of probability.
