160,000 miles and a catalytic converter

[klacan]

2007 6 speed manual Nissan Versa runs great with really no major problems up to this point. Recently had a check engine light come on and pulled this code: P0420 Catalytic Efficiency below threshold.

Told by Monoro that the catalytic converter needs replacing.Same thing at the Nissan dealer. $600.00 for the parts. Crazy..Any other options out there? I had cleared the code before.Drove another 300 miles and it came back on. No other indications. Power seems the same. Need some advice.Thanks all.

[Francesco]

If my memory is correct the determination of a bad catalytic converter is done by the O2 sensors in front and behind the catalytic converter so it is important to make sure the two O2 sensors are telling the truth. Another factor that hurts the converter is burning oil by the engine which contaminates the catalytic converter and shortens its life which does not seem to be your case with 160K miles.

Frank 2009 Versa S sedan MT-6 with 39500 miles