Reconciliation: Nissan service charged me for nothing!

[svard75]

I mentioned on another topic that I began seeing code p0430. Today I finally went to get it properly diagnosed and they told me I need a new cat passenger side. They also recommended I replace both O2 sensors. Basically a $2000 job. Fine. Here is the gut wrenching reality of this situation. In 2009 I had a failed attempt at replacing my own spark plugs. I crossed cylinders 4 and 6 wires and caused a misfire condition. This caused my cat (passenger side) to go bad due to the I burnt gas igniting in the cat. Fine the dealer performed a diagnosis, replaced the plugs, corrected the crossed wires replaced the passenger cat and performed a coolant pressure test to ensure the engine gaskets were still good from the misfiring. A $2000 job back in 09. Fine. Now my issue is that during today's inspection I noticed that my original drivers cat still has all of the heat shields attached and is in the same condition as the passenger side cat. That means that the dealer didn't replace the passenger cat to begin with. I mean really?!

I've got the original receipt and will call on Monday to talk to a service manager to see what can be done but what do you guys think can I get resolution from service performed 4 years after (or not performed)? How else could I prove that they didn't replace it?

[Altered]

Not taking sides, but its going to be challenging to prove it wasn't replaced based on appearance alone. It's 4 years old, its not still going to look new. I understand you would expect it to look different than one 8 years old, but I'm not 100% sure it will. Can you post pics? Specifically of the studs and nuts that hold the cats in place.

[EniGmA1987]

There is a good write up on these forums for replacing your O2 sensors. The sensors aren't THAT much money and it is mainly just a pain to do since it takes so long. If you really dont want to spend $2000 on getting them replaced you could look into doing it yourself.

That sucks though and the passenger side cat again though. I dont think you will really be able to do much unfortunately since it has been 4 years. Dings and dents happen to it in that time so whether it was replaced or not it wouldn't look new by now and the dealership will argue as such. One thing you may be able to do though is try and get it replaced either for free or much cheaper, since I am pretty sure the cat's have a much longer warranty on them than anything else, or at least they do in California. The Cat warranty is often 10 years and can sometimes be as high as 15 years.

EDIT actually I just looked it up and new catalytic converter's are federally mandated to have an 8 year/80,000 mile warranty on them. So since the dealer claims it was replaced then the new one 4 years later should be free replacement. The dealer wont claim they didnt actually replace it because then they would be in even more trouble.

[svard75]

The nuts and bolts are just as corroded as the drivers and the passenger heat shielding on the cat has rotted away where the heat shield on the drivers side is still completely in tact. I'll post photos tomorrow.

[svard75]

Hey that's great new enigma. Thanks for the heads up!

[svard75]

Unfortunately there are no Canadian laws supporting catalytic warranties. I will call Nissan customer service first then the dealership where this was originally done.
Worst case I found a set of OEM direct fit cats for m35 for $500 shipped and will throw in a J2 y pipe since mine is rotten and leaking.

[svard75]

Update: Spoke with Nissan Canada Customer Service and unfortunately the warranty is good for only the original Catalytic Converter. At the time the OEM was replaced the dealership should have provided me with some information on new Cat warranty which is only 1 year. I then explained the situation where I have good reason to believe it was never done from the beginning and he suggested I visit the dealer with my paper work and have them assess the issue.

I also changed their information on the owner and they mentioned the accelerator pedal recall. I'm going to reach out to my uprev tuner to have him remove the license prior to taking it in and at the same time wait until I decide what I'm going to do with my exhaust before getting it re-tuned. My tuner is getting his hands on a 4Wheel dyno soon so maybe wait for that!

[finikM35]

GEt high flow cats might as well take advantage of this situation i know i would haha
Berk or Fast intentions you can get used for like 200$

[finikM35]

G37 Ypipe worked best for me i had AWD M also. Original Y cracked and was buzzing and making annoying sounds. high flow cats are like 500 new

[svard75]

Will high flow cats cause the 420/430 CEL codes to come up? Aren't they less efficient in eliminating the pollutants?

[finikM35]

Not sure about CEL there are people here on Nico that have Berk hfc's. Its easier in NY you can just delete CEL and pass inspection.

[svard75]

Hmm you bring up a good point. Do our cars retain the date it was last cleared? I could simply clear my codes, go in for the etest and be done for another 2 years haha

[finikM35]

Yeah if you have Cipher cable i think you can erase the code yourself. I read that hfc is a nice gain especially with good catback.

[FlawleZ]

If you have an Android phone you can also use the Car Gauge Pro app and an ELM27 OBD II adapter to clear codes, run diagnostic self tests, reset fuel maps, even adjust the timing +/- 2 degrees.

[svard75]

Neato. I have an iPhone but I'm sure the app is available for that as well. Anyhow I have an el' cheapo OBD2 scanner which clears codes as well. The interesting thing is it takes a few days for the code to come back. I even had the scanner attached while driving and my wife was watching the screen. It read every 10 seconds and for an hour drive through stop and go traffic the code didn't appear. I wonder what is kicking it off?