Codes Question **UPDATE**

[97ExCab4x4]

Hi folks, I am new to the forum and a new owner of a 97 hard body, 4x4, 4cyl, 5 speed.

But I am by no means a new nissan owner, I started with a 88 hard body, moved to a 96 maxima, was blessed to own an 07 marrano and now have the 97 pick up.

Like I said, I recently bough the truck and forgot to notice if it had a catalytic converter, it does not!

I had the codes pulled the other day and they show codes:
420, which is a catalytic converter code I think?
440, not enough vacuum pressure?
and 446, purge solenoid?

My questions to you fine folks are, do you think all of these codes are due to the lack of cat? And if not what could I do to fix this? And am I doing any damage to the vehicle by driving it until I fix it?

My plan is to get it to the muffler shop asap. But I live in a rural place so emissions test are not an issue.

Oh, I guess I should mention the truck has 200k and it tops out at 60 mph, and sputters at random speeds. And backfires when slowing down while shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. And the gas mileage is worse then my v8 ford used to get.

Thanks for any advice!

[Rev_D21]

Welcome to NICO! I don't think all those codes are related. What it sounds like is someone tried removing the emission related parts to get 'more power' and triggered a few codes doing so. Is the EGR system still in place? Those trucks had a lot of problems with the canister evap systems, lots of hoses running under the box that rotted out and caused leaks which turned on dash lights.

[97ExCab4x4]

Thanks for the reply Rev_D21.

Couple questions and pics. what is a D21? and is that what my truck is?


And looking at this pic, can you see anything missing?

[97ExCab4x4]

Just wanted to update this thread.

I pulled the spark plugs and checked the gaps, they were all way off! Cleaned them up real good, cleaned out the throttle body and MAS and the truck is running way better. Gets much better power and the codes are gone, for now. I expect to at least see the 420 code for cat converter to come back.

Also checked the EGR valve, seems okay. But still having issues getting the truck above 60 or 65 mph. Think I still do have a vacuum leak in there somewhere.

I also tested the fuel injectors by pulling the power harness off of each one, one by one and noticed the idle got bad, plugged it back in and it smoothed out, so they are working, but who knows if they need to be cleaned.

Any good ways of finding a vacuum leak without a smoke generator?

Thanks all!

[Rev_D21]

D21 is the model number for the Hardbody trucks, like yours. The D21 was in production from 1986.5-1997 in the US. It was produced for many years beyond that in other countries.

Hard to tell if anything is missing based off the pics you posted. It doesn't look hacked up which is a good sign.

[Saudade]

You can expect the P0420 code to return and maybe even replaced by another one or two related to the missing CAT.

The P0440 code is generally from a leak in the evaporative emission system malfunction. This is likely related to the P0446 which specifically points to the purge solenoid.

You can read details of the codes and possible causes here.

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/