Please help a newbie

[infiniti_man101]

I just bought a 1994 Infiniti Q45 and love the car, but my problem is that the car is missing the catalytic converter... its pretty much manifold no exhaust connected. I tried to drive the car home, but it was sputtering and backfireing and turning off anytime I would give it any gas, but if you leave it idling its fine just loud, so I left it and I am having it towed to my home. I was wondering is it because the exhaust isn't connected thats causing the problem? Thank you for any help.

[maxnix]

Q45 are always flatbedded, never towed.

Who knows? OEM catalysts are big bucks because they last the life of the car as opposed to a year or two for after market.

Why don't you tell us what the inspections and maintenance history are?

Keep reading as there is a lot of information here to assimilate.

[Q45tech]

Isn't it very illegal to sell a non emission compliant vehicle in California?

Doesn't the bill of sale accompany a valid emission certificate for legal transfer and sale - unless a junker not legal for on road use?

My point is it is illegal for the previous owner to have sold you such a car and your buying such a car is illegal --- partners in the same crime? If you get an emission certificate without cats, that is a fraudulent transfer and the seller can be forced by STATE to restore the systems to oem after they pay a big fine or get out of jail.

California is unique in their enforcement and they love to make examples to aid compliance.

Please explain what it is you want to accomplish?

Mileage is important since 120k maybe cutoff where you assume financial responsibility...........very complicanted nuiasces.

From whom did you buy private seller or business?

[infiniti_man101]

yea ok....i already fixed the problem.

[knowspinzone]

yea ok....i already fixed the problem.

That's it? After these people took their time to try to help you out? That's your response?

[BadQ45t]

how did you buy a car without a smog cert???? No way you pass a smog test without a cat.

[Q451990]

That's it? After these people took their time to try to help you out? That's your response?

If the legal ramifications are as severe as indicated by the replies, would you reply in a lot of detail as to how you "fixed" the problem?

Heath

[infiniti_man101]

Well the car had a piece of the pipe cut off of both exhaust pipes near the manifold, the cats were still in place, I welded a new piece of exhaust that was missing on both sides, the other owners thought the cats were plugged. I bought the car pretty cheap so I didn't ask for smog because it wouldn't stay on. The car's problem was the fuel pump, i grounded one of the wires from the silver box on top of the fuel tank and car ran fine. Thanks for everyones input.