Newbie with 98 Q45

[jadamorena]

Hello Everyone!

I bought a 98 Q45 (176K) from a friend for $4000 a couple months ago. I am realizing that this car needs a lot more attention than I bargained for.

I took it in to my friendly Meineke store because I had an exhaust leak and suspected catalytic converter failure. They quoted me a price of $3,000, almost as much as I paid for the car to repair it saying that both cats were bad. He says that they were dealer only parts, and at $1,311 a piece, it would cost me a pretty penny to get my Q back to tip top condition.

So, being the Q Techies that you are, I thought I'd ask you a couple questions:

1. What are the dangers of putting universal cats on this car?2. My check engine light hasn't gone off at all, should it?3. To prevent the new cats from going bad, are there any precautions/maintenance I should be aware of?4. If they said that the parts were $1,311 a piece, and I called the Infiniti dealer who quoted me $894 a piece, do you think Meineke was trying to get me because I'm a chick?

Help is appreciated. Also, is there and online service manual for this car? I'm not totally car retarded, and would like to repair some things myself - it's relaxing.

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO. I am located in Anderson sometimes and I'm willing to help whatever you need... I do a little work here and there on the side for Q guys

the FSM is available for download.. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM i think is where its at, someone correct me if im wrong.

This might not be feasible, but what I would try to do is find a used exhaust off a Q if indeed the cats are bad. Cats dont fail on Nissan's very commonly, mainly the only reason they would is if they get clogged, possibly due to injector failure. however, injector problems are far less common on those models than on the earlier ones.

meineke probably has to buy the parts directly from the dealer. 50% hike up is not uncommon, maybe a little steep...

Just because you have an exhaust leak doesnt mean the cats are bad. what makes you think the cats are bad?

[maxnix]

Jada, you need to do a lot of reading here before you get ripped by unwise 3rd party automobile servicers who don't know VH41DE form caca.

But I have to wonder why anyone would buy a car with a CEL showing?

You've come to the right place, but you have a lot of homework.

Welcome.

[superuber]

I'm running dynamax high flow cats and I love them!Boy, Brian is being very nice..... must be 'cause your a chick!

[jadamorena]

Just because you have an exhaust leak doesnt mean the cats are bad. what makes you think the cats are bad?

Both places said the cats were bad. Is there a test I can do at home? I also was reluctant to believe the cats were bad, especially since the CEL has not gone off, which has been my indication that either the O2 sensors or the cats were bad, especially if there was an exhaust issue.

Can I just ask them to replace the busted pipes around the cats?

[jada]

I am also a newbie and i purchased a car out of florida with the cel on also. But im mechanicaly inclined. the car that i purchased had 129,000. and the problen turned out was the knock sensors and the right bank valve timing controller. have you had anyone pull the codes to see what the ecm has stored???

[superuber]

If the CEL or MIL light is on what code is it throwing?Did they tell you? Seems you either need another opinion or get under it and look for yourself.

[jadamorena]

No CEL light at all.

[superuber]

So the light was on but now it is off? You said it was on?It should have still stored something.

[bullittandy]

But I have to wonder why anyone would buy a car with a CEL showing?

Welcome.

Do you READ? CAN you read? She said "My check engine light hasn't gone off at all, should it?"

If you actually need cats, then buy used or universal, do not spend $2500-$4000 on a car worth the same.

Don't worry, you made a good buy, I've got a 97 with 233K with no major failures.

[Jesda]

Gone off...Gone on...

Two phrases that can mean the same thing.

[superuber]

oh, I see, your right Jesda. (you're so smart!) I think Andy is right. Go cheap.

[maxnix]

Gone off...Gone on...

Two phrases that can mean the same thing.

Gone off is not illuminated. So it has been on at some time that she observed it.

Gone on would be illuminated while she observed it.

Imprecise declarative statements are always difficult to decode. In either case, there should be a stored code, so have your ECU scanned and report the results, please.

3rd party catalytic converters may last a year or three, factory will last the life of the car if not abused.

Believe Q45tech posted how to test them on the car, but removing and test flowing them would do it.
Modified by maxnix at 7:52 AM 10/13/2007

[gammer_ghn]

I'm running dynamax high flow cats and I love them!Boy, Brian is being very nice..... must be 'cause your a chick!

That’s why!

Do you READ? CAN you read? She said "My check engine light hasn't gone off at all, should it?"

Oh boy your getting there!!!

Off is not illuminated. So it has been on at some time that she observed it.

Gone on would be illuminated while she observed it.

Imprecise declarative statements are always difficult to decode. In either case, there should be a stored code, so have your ECU scanned and report the results, please.

3rd party catalytic converters may last a year or three, factory will last the life of the car if not abused.

Believe Q45tech posted how to test them on the car, but removing and test flowing them would do it.

Your there!! Nice team work!!!

but seriously Maxnix you tend to be the father figure here don’t be too hard on people since I as an individual have experienced the "Maxnix" smack talk i know how you talk to people its weird damn it your too good at it you even have a reputation for it but you got to get off what’s on your chest!!!
Modified by gammer_ghn at 3:16 AM 10/13/2007

[bullittandy]

People replace cats on Mustangs and such all the time-even Cali cars. I replaced the midpipe on my 01 Bullitt and it worked/lasted 3 years with identical emissions readings from beginning to end.

[bullittandy]

Imprecise declarative statements are always difficult to decode.

Modified by maxnix at 7:52 AM 10/13/2007

What's your opinion on people who answer questions they don't understand?

[maxnix]

What's your opinion on people who answer questions they don't understand?

It occurs not quite as frequently on this board as most others.

Hopefully we can keep this one more relevant to the members in that regard than most others are. It's dependant on each member to think carefully before posting and accurately describe the scenario completely so we as readers who are not present to observe may contribute valuable feedback or at least relevant WAG based on our understanding given the written data.

[bullittandy]

It occurs not quite as frequently on this board as most others.

Hopefully we can keep this one more relevant to the members in that regard than most others are. It's dependant on each member to think carefully before posting and accurately describe the scenario completely so we as readers who are not present to observe may contribute valuable feedback or at least relevant WAG based on our understanding given the written data.

I can't believe that you missed my point. I'm talking about you!! You didn't understand the question and you answered anyway.

Instead of insulting ANOTHER new member, why don't you ask, "Is the CEL light on?" Or "I don't think I understand what you mean? Is the CEL light on?"

[jadamorena]

OK - sorry for the mix-up - I have not seen the CEL at all - never turned on to begin with.... that's why I was confused if it was the cats or not. BUT! Since the car does have 180,000 (passed the 180K mark last night yay), I will go ahead an invest in the cats and pipes.

Should I get the O2 sensors too, or just wait until they start to fail.

[maxnix]

I will go ahead an invest in the cats and pipes.

Should I get the O2 sensors too, or just wait until they start to fail.

Don't do that until you get a qualified diagnosis!

What is the Infiniti dealer performed service history? 3rd party service history? Reading previous posts here first could save you thousands.