2002 q45 catalytic converter issue

[my first q45]

So I was able to get 1 CAT fixed under the 80,000 warranty.The dealer refused to fix both even though the car was in for both before I bought it.Unfortunately only bank one was triggering the service engine.6000 miles later the other is out and they wont touch it.Now to top it all off I am being told by muffler shops my wonderful car legally can only use a dealer CAT?? There are many cheaper cats that would work fine and I can't buy it.How is that even legal? So I am forced to spend $1200 when I could do it for half .Help.

[maxnix]

Cheap cats have only 10% of the rare earth metals and only last 10% as long as OEM.

Call

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

For the best price.

Personally, I would be calling Infiniti Customer service than an attorney.

[Q45tech]

Federal Clean Air Act makes it a felony [and $10,000 fine] to replace oem cats with non oem until the legal [100k] life of vehicle has expired.

Low cost After market cats are designed to just pass a single emission test to sell a used car after it has exceeded 100k mileage.

Whereas OEM are required to last at least 80,000 miles.

Unfortunately the platnium and rhodium escalated in price over last 10 years forcing oem to reduce amount thus limiting life.

As I like to point out the absolute peak of good MECHANICAL design was from 1990-1995 after then it was downhill for every manufacturer worldwide. 1996 saw OBD II which triple the number of sensors to fail and the 2000s saw cost cutting to the nth degree.

[lcsduende]

At 83k on my '02 q45, the deal said both cats are out and they would not cover it. How many miles were on yours? Might try and call customer service or is this a waste of time? I've just been rollin on with the cats out? Maybe I'll wait til 100k..1200 is outrageous..otherwise this cars been more than solid for over 2 years..

[Q45tech]

Original new car buyers are treated better since they actually paid Nissan money. What obligation does Nissan have to a 2nd or 3rd owner after warranty expires. Especially when one doesn't bother to purchase an extended warranty.

[maxnix]

I guess there is only 1 converter on the VK (hence no dual exhaust) as opposed to 2 on a G50.

Wonder if there isn't money to be made by buying up original factory G50 converters?

[Q45tech]

Engage brain. Each bank has 2 cats necessary for OBDII

The main problem after 1995 and especially 2001 is the LEV and ULEV + ULEV II in 2004 cats require extra super even more exotic thin layers of rhodium which went from $480 ounce in 2003 to $10,000 per ounce last July. Now down to a measely $1000 TODAY.

I pity the companies that had to make cats last summer or cars that got them. How thin can one slice a few atoms long enough to last until warranty.

[maxnix]

Engage brain. Each bank has 2 cats necessary for OBDII

Yep, I see twin catalytic converters before the single dual-mode muffler. Hard to believe they didn't economize there also.

Maybe they hedged the Rhodium?

[my first q45]

Thanks for all the info guys. I guess I will keep ignoring the light until I need to fix it. I hope it doesn't do any damage.

[maxnix]

I guess I will keep ignoring the light until I need to fix it.

I think the light is telling you exactly that.

How much are they from

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com ?

Very easy to install, if you have a lift and an O2 sensor wrench

http://www.ngk.com/coolstuff/

[texasoil]

The Federal rules and California rules are a little different. In Ca. now (Jan 2009) NO used cats may be sold to or installed on California registered vehicles--period.

AFTERMARKET 'Cats' ARE allowed so long as they have been given an 'executive order' (certified as OK) by Ca authorities. Of course Manufacturer has to replace/repair any OEM emission system that fails before the expiration of the original warranty---no exceptions for 2nd, 3rd owners--these subsequent owners have same legal rights as original purchaser in all states since that 'warranty' is an integral part of the vehicle as a whole.