Failed Catalytic Converter
06-20-2012, 10:31 AM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Failed Catalytic Converter
I just left my 350z at the stealership.
I had a service engine light on. He says its a code PL420 and one of the catalytic converters have failed.
Part $851
Total plus labor = $1287
Does this sound legit to you? I have about 83k miles on the car.
The car has been having some rattling in the steering column.
This guy sounds shady. I have bumper to bumper warranty and he said this part is not covered. Apparently, not much is covered on the bumper to bumper warranty.
I had a service engine light on. He says its a code PL420 and one of the catalytic converters have failed.
Part $851
Total plus labor = $1287
Does this sound legit to you? I have about 83k miles on the car.
The car has been having some rattling in the steering column.
This guy sounds shady. I have bumper to bumper warranty and he said this part is not covered. Apparently, not much is covered on the bumper to bumper warranty.
06-20-2012, 12:45 PM
#5
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06-20-2012, 01:03 PM
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Copied from this thread: https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...estions-2.html
Lots of info in there. Price varies so look for what best fits your needs. There are plenty of vendors/websites that sell these products.
"Q: What are test pipes?
A: Test pipes are straight-tube replacement pipes for your catalytic converters. Removing your cats is usually against the law, but that doesn't mean you will get "caught" necessarily. Test pipes will add a significant amount of horsepower by removing the restriction in your cats. They will also make your car sound MUCH louder.
RESONATED test pipes are just regular old test pipes with some kind of resonating chamber which helps remove that "RASP" sound from your exhaust. The resonator does not have any performance benefit.
Obviously, when you remove the cats, your car will no longer have any way to prevent releasing air pollution (NOx, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons). If you want the performance upgrade but are still somewhat concerned for the environment, go with HIGH FLOW CATS. (e.g. Kinetix, Ultimate Racing, Berk Technology, Fast Intentions). These will reduce pollution (although, not as well as your stock cats) but even HFC's are still not usually legal. HFCs have been shown to provide similar gains to test pipes.
Q: Will TEST PIPES give me a check engine light / SES light? What can I do about this?
A: Yes, in general test pipes make the car think the catalytic converters are not working properly. You will most likely get a check engine light (although some 2003's have been shown not to get the CEL).
You can do this trick to try to eliminate the CEL. It seems to work for most people. Link here:
https://my350z.com/forum/engine-drivetrain-and-forced-induction-diy/194001-test-pipe-ses-non-fouler-fix-pics.html
Q: Will RESONATED TEST PIPES give me a check engine light / SES light? What can I do about this?
A: Same story as non-resonated test pipes.
Q: Will HIGH FLOW CATS give me a check engine light / SES light? What can I do about this?
A: Not if they are working properly. If they give you a CEL (you must confirm that the CEL is due to the cats), call the manufacturer and tell them you MAY have a defective product.
Q: How can I check / confirm what my check engine light / SES light means?
A: Go to autozone, or a typical car parts store. They have OBDII (on board diagnostics II) scanners that can tell you exactly what the light means. It should be free to check the meaning of the light.
Q: How can I erase the CEL after I have fixed the problem?
A: Read here
http://www.technosquareinc.com/350reset.htm
Note, this will not "RESET THE ECU's FUEL MAPS" this will only delete CEL/SES light. IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE, YOUR TIMING IS OFF. THIS WORKS, TRUST ME, YOU CAN DO IT.
Q: How can I FULLY reset the ECU?
A: Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery overnight, before reconnecting, pump the brakes a few times to ensure all capacitors etc. are drained.
FULLY resetting the ECU will also delete CEL lights, just like the "pedal method reset" as shown in the link above."
Lots of info in there. Price varies so look for what best fits your needs. There are plenty of vendors/websites that sell these products.
"Q: What are test pipes?
A: Test pipes are straight-tube replacement pipes for your catalytic converters. Removing your cats is usually against the law, but that doesn't mean you will get "caught" necessarily. Test pipes will add a significant amount of horsepower by removing the restriction in your cats. They will also make your car sound MUCH louder.
RESONATED test pipes are just regular old test pipes with some kind of resonating chamber which helps remove that "RASP" sound from your exhaust. The resonator does not have any performance benefit.
Obviously, when you remove the cats, your car will no longer have any way to prevent releasing air pollution (NOx, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons). If you want the performance upgrade but are still somewhat concerned for the environment, go with HIGH FLOW CATS. (e.g. Kinetix, Ultimate Racing, Berk Technology, Fast Intentions). These will reduce pollution (although, not as well as your stock cats) but even HFC's are still not usually legal. HFCs have been shown to provide similar gains to test pipes.
Q: Will TEST PIPES give me a check engine light / SES light? What can I do about this?
A: Yes, in general test pipes make the car think the catalytic converters are not working properly. You will most likely get a check engine light (although some 2003's have been shown not to get the CEL).
You can do this trick to try to eliminate the CEL. It seems to work for most people. Link here:
https://my350z.com/forum/engine-drivetrain-and-forced-induction-diy/194001-test-pipe-ses-non-fouler-fix-pics.html
Q: Will RESONATED TEST PIPES give me a check engine light / SES light? What can I do about this?
A: Same story as non-resonated test pipes.
Q: Will HIGH FLOW CATS give me a check engine light / SES light? What can I do about this?
A: Not if they are working properly. If they give you a CEL (you must confirm that the CEL is due to the cats), call the manufacturer and tell them you MAY have a defective product.
Q: How can I check / confirm what my check engine light / SES light means?
A: Go to autozone, or a typical car parts store. They have OBDII (on board diagnostics II) scanners that can tell you exactly what the light means. It should be free to check the meaning of the light.
Q: How can I erase the CEL after I have fixed the problem?
A: Read here
http://www.technosquareinc.com/350reset.htm
Note, this will not "RESET THE ECU's FUEL MAPS" this will only delete CEL/SES light. IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE, YOUR TIMING IS OFF. THIS WORKS, TRUST ME, YOU CAN DO IT.
Q: How can I FULLY reset the ECU?
A: Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery overnight, before reconnecting, pump the brakes a few times to ensure all capacitors etc. are drained.
FULLY resetting the ECU will also delete CEL lights, just like the "pedal method reset" as shown in the link above."
06-20-2012, 01:12 PM
#11
New Member
Thread Starter
250-500 for both? Anyone know any shops in SoCal or Norcal?
06-20-2012, 01:14 PM
#12
New Member
Thread Starter
Dreaded CEL
Got a CEL. I took it to the stealership and they charged me $160 to "diagnose" and lied to me and said they will only charge me if they have to. what a lie. I was stranded and had no way to turn them down.
Where else can I check out a CEL and not be taken for a chump at the stealership?
Where else can I check out a CEL and not be taken for a chump at the stealership?
Last edited by codek; 06-20-2012 at 01:27 PM.
06-20-2012, 01:17 PM
#14
New Member
Thread Starter
it's also a damn shame that my z is bone stock... i almost had to sell it cause of the damn economy and the fact that i was unemployed for two years.
please recommend me some HFC's and shops in the Norcal or Socal.
And how long can I drive with a bad catalytic converter?
Last edited by codek; 06-20-2012 at 01:40 PM.
06-20-2012, 01:38 PM
#17
New Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the advice. I wish I wasn't such a newb. wish you were out in Cali.
06-20-2012, 01:43 PM
#19
test pipes are cheaper than hfc. And art pipes are around 500+ new. You can get some test pipes for 100, and some hfc for 300-500 used or new. Hoope that helps. Installing these should be around 100 at a shop, or 50-75 if you find someone on craigs to do it or around your area
06-20-2012, 01:44 PM
#20
New Member
Thread Starter
The code was a PO420 converter code
"tested 02 sensors and are ok
tested and bank 1 convertor has failed, needs to be replace
driving car with a bad convertor can and will do engine damage"