im a chevy tech trying to fix my 01 Maxima SES light P0430

[Taurus888]

So i work at a chevy dealer and am not used to nissan stuff. My maxima popped up with a P0430. I borrowed a buddy's snap-on scantool and watched the bank 2 sensor compared to the other....they were toggeling ok...but i say the bank 2 sensor dip down too .09-.05 volts at times...i mean real low compared to the other.....is it safe to say my O2 sensor is bad?.....and which one is it? i had a nissan dealer replace on last year under my universal extended warranty.so i guess my question is...which one is it when im looking from under the car?also what are the odds it could be a bad cat?and what are my options than? im not sure that my extended warranty covers exhaust parts-Dan

[MinisterofDOOM]

Sorry to take so long getting back to you.

Bank 2 is the front bank. The sensor is on the exhaust manifold after the pre-cat.

[BOBCAT]

Ohh snaps son. I had to fix mine with that stupid code. It was the precat i had to replace. 800 dollars for a couple inch pipe at the dealer. i could not find one anywhere else. Cattman i think had one but it was the headers on to the catback. I think they said if you put that on it might throw some codes and you have to add other things as well like a simulator or somthing. go to nissan and have them tell you what it is. After that, go from there on your decision. I am sure you are loosing a ton of gas milage right now and power loss.

[Taurus888]

My Gas mileage is hurting a little....havent really noticed a power loss...how can i tell if it is gonna be an O2 sensor or the cat?.....just bang on the cat to feel if the honey comb is broken up?-dan

[Taurus888]

Alright i ran some searches.....so let me see if i got this right...am I to understand that the Warpspeed Y pipe eliminates both pre-cats?and in doing so...i will throw a code....but i can get a "O2 Simulator" ..to keep the light off?

Is that the deal?im still hoping it is just an O2 sensor......i Would gladly take it to a nissan dealer if i knew my warranty company would cover it...but im doubting they will cover the catand my local nissan dealer is quite the shady bunch to say the least.-Dan

[Taurus888]

LOOKS LIKE ITS THE PRE_CATS!

so i just pulled out of my buddys drive way and my car started chugging in gear and running like crap. got a 1/4 mile down the road and the check engine light started blinking! (engine damage may occur)...than went back to steady light after a minute. anyway i was able to get it to my shop...i could hear the exhaust sounding like crap when i let it idle....in gear the car bucks and such.so tommorrow it looks like im gonna have to call that warranty company. and maybe get lucky

[Taurus888]

SO warranty comp doesnt cover cats' (worth a shot)i had my parts dept. get me an aftermarket cat for about 180 from autopart Internationalthrew it in this afternoon and cleared the codes...seems to be running fine..so i hope thats the end of it.This morning when i hooked up a code reader i also got p1320 (some kinda crank sensor or misfire code and a P302-misfire on cyl. 2)....im thinking the cat must of plugged up and choked out the engine causing the misfire.ill keep u guys posted if anything comes up-Dan

[BOBCAT]

the guy at one of the Y pipe dealers told me that if the precat goes completely out, the engine could suck in some of the crap that is broke off in it and cause your engine to blow. I am just going off here say but that is what i heard and that is why i spent 800 on mine.

[Taurus888]

when i took the cat out it didnt seem to be broken up or anything....the honey comb was still intact...im thinking my car may have been misfiring and i didnt notice and it didnt throw a code.... raw unburnt fuel can poison a cat converter.....cat converters "usually" dont fail on thier own.i threw in a new coil today so we shall see how that goes as far as my intermittent misfire i was getting.---now im real paranoid about my car....doesnt feel like it's performing right....and i could swear i hear a vacuum leak somewhere on the backside of the engine.....oh well....ill keep tinkering away at it....kinda have to since i owe alot more than its worth on it-Dan