How do I replace a catalytic converter on a 2002 Nissan Altima? - Fuelly Forums

Click here to see important news regarding the aCar App

Go Back   Fuelly Forums > Tech, Troubleshooting and Repair > General Maintenance and Repair
Today's Posts Search Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-19-2005, 12:29 PM   #1
Driving on E
 
Matt Timion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,110
Country: United States
How do I replace a catalytic converter on a 2002 Nissan Altima?

My mom's check engine light is on. IT's been on for like 3 years now. She said that it went on b/c she ran over a rock on the freeway and it cracked her catalyic converter.

At least that's what the mechanic said.

She was quoted $500 to get it replaced.

I went to Kragen Auto Parts in SoCal this week and they don't carry the part. This explains the $500 price tag.

I know that recently DaX replaced his cat by getting a universal one and then welding the ends on. Can she just get one of these on ebay and then have a muffler shop weld the ends on?

Help me out here. I'm looking to save my mom some money
__________________

Matt Timion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-19-2005, 12:53 PM   #2
Driving on E
 
Matt Timion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,110
Country: United States
Another question: Would a

Another question:

Would a high-flow cat work for CA smog laws? i've seen them on ebay cheap. I'm not sure if they are really hi flow cats or just test pipes. She needs to pass emissions in CA
__________________

Matt Timion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-19-2005, 05:16 PM   #3
*shrug*
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,195
Country: United States
They are just test pipes,

They are just test pipes, **** them. Jack the car up, unbolt, and rebolt, I think. I dummo though, think they're all bolted on for stock ****.
SVOboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-19-2005, 06:03 PM   #4
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,978
Country: United States
Re: How do I replace a catalytic converter on a 2002 Nissan Alti

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Timion
My mom's check engine light is on. IT's been on for like 3 years now. She said that it went on b/c she ran over a rock on the freeway and it cracked her catalyic converter.

At least that's what the mechanic said.

She was quoted $500 to get it replaced.

I went to Kragen Auto Parts in SoCal this week and they don't carry the part. This explains the $500 price tag.

I know that recently DaX replaced his cat by getting a universal one and then welding the ends on. Can she just get one of these on ebay and then have a muffler shop weld the ends on?

Help me out here. I'm looking to save my mom some money
Is the mechanic trusted? A lot of times, if one of the oxygen sensors are bad, then the CEL comes on with a catalyst code. I'd get a second opinion, if possible. It could be a bad sensor, or if there was debris involved it could have disconnected some wiring...

Also, she can go to AutoZone or a similar store and get the code pulled for free...

RH77
__________________
rh77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-19-2005, 06:14 PM   #5
*shrug*
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,195
Country: United States
Oh yeah, and dax did say 130

Oh yeah, and dax did say 130 bucks for his brother or someone to get a cat changed by a shop.
SVOboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-19-2005, 07:17 PM   #6
Registered Member
 
kickflipjr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 933
Country: United States
I replaced mine for $180 (a

I replaced mine for $180 (a shop installed it).
__________________
2008 EPA adjusted:


Distance traveled by bicycle in 2007= 1,830ish miles
Average commute speed=25mph (yes, that's in a car)
kickflipjr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2005, 01:09 AM   #7
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 331
Country: United States
Send a message via MSN to n0rt0npr0
second opinion

If you have to, take it to another dealer and PAY the diagnostic fee. I've never heard of a bump cracking a CatConverter
Hell, go to autozone and have the codes pulled for free!! Post them on here, and we can pull up the why's to that code ourselves. The 02 can crack, so maybe the downstream 02 on that car is bad?
~Will
__________________
"You have to know the truth, and seek the truth, and the truth will set you free."
-unknown
n0rt0npr0 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2005, 07:41 AM   #8
Registered Member
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,223
Country: United States
i bought my first firefly

i bought my first firefly with the check engine light on. it seemed to run fine, and the previous owner said it had been on for a year.

here's what i found out, after the fact:

the light was on because the front oxygen sensor was toast. the result of not fixing it for a year (prev. owner) was that it was no longer contributing to proper fuel mixture control. the result of that was rich exhaust was reaching the catalytic converter, and over time burned it up. the catalyst matrix literally disintegrated and fell to pieces. i found chunks of it rattling around inside the muffler.

so i ended up having to replace both the sensor and the cat, when it really only needed a new O2 sensor a year earlier.
MetroMPG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2005, 03:09 PM   #9
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 331
Country: United States
Send a message via MSN to n0rt0npr0
yep Metro...

That is prolly EXACTLY what is going on with Matt's mom's Altima. So there ya go Matt, find the cheapest hi flow cat you can and the cheapest 02 (the autozone guy will let you know VIA the code just WHICH one or both are bad...prolly both seeing its been three years) and install the 02's yourself AFTER the Cat has been replaced. I'd have the Cat welded on, so just start calling shops to ask them how much for the labor since you will allready have the part.
After you have the Cat installed, then do the 02's unplug the ECM to reset ALL the lights on the dash and ALL the other codes...voilla! The car will prolly feel brand new. Put some acetone in her tank too, with it running rich for three years it'll like the acetone.
__________________

__________________
"You have to know the truth, and seek the truth, and the truth will set you free."
-unknown
n0rt0npr0 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Add car brandonrossl Fuelly Web Support and Community News 3 08-22-2010 07:27 AM
history limit? Mosler Fuelly Web Support and Community News 2 07-21-2010 05:33 AM

» Fuelly Android Apps
No Threads to Display.
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.