Diamond in the ruff sentra se-r

[nickvanicelli]

Hello everyone I'm new to the forum. Looks like a great site. I recently bought a non running 03 sentra spec v. 109k miles. Long story short all it needed was a key programmed to it (who knows why the other key went bad). As I've searched the internet ive learned all the common issues with cats and butterflies. After I got the key it started right up. So I took it to have the cats gutted after it threw the po420 code. To my pleasant surprise the cats were already gutted. That's why it threw the code. The motor doesn't smoke at all. Seems to run perfect. Although it's a little chattery seems to have a random lifter tick that comes and goes is this normal? Other than checking the butterfly screws does anyone have any other suggestions? Also the car turns over about 3 or 4 seconds before it cranks. It sat for a long time I've driven it 300 miles and so far no oil consumption Thanks in advance

[2_Liter_Turbo]

Welcome to the forum! Hopefully someone with more knowledge on QR25's can chime in for ya.

[SoundEfx]

Nice purchase.

The first thing to do is a compression test to make sure that the engine is not damaged in any way.
You should get close to 160 as possible.

The stock injectors are very loud, so it's kind of hard to detect lifter noise.

You could get rid of the code by using two anti-foulers. Google it, it's really easy and cheap.

The long cranking is normal. It has something to do with the the fuel leaving the engine and going back into the gas tank due to the fuel sending unit.
There are various ways to 'fix' this issue.