I'm trying to resolve a P0430 code on my 2k California emissions max. Dealer diagnosed it as a bad pre-cat bank 2 (front, up towards radiator). They wanted about $950 to replace it.

Here are some questions I could use help answering:

1. Has anyone done this? Any how to's or general advice?

2. Where can I buy this part and hardware kit? Dealer wants $650 for the part + $30 for mounting hardware. Must be a better deal out there somewhere.

3. Can anyone confirm that I'm going after the correct cat?

Any comments/advice appriciated.

 

Get a second opinion.

 

Consider getting headers if you are going to spend that much money
or get another one at a junk yard

 

I had that code once. I went to Autozone and they told me to replace an O2 sensor. My car is Fed spec though. I don't know if there is much difference. The problem did go away without replacing anything. Good luck.

 

this prolly wont help you but i had the same codes and i also had an ignition system misfire code. so i replaced my sparkplugs and had autozone clear the codes. I'm going on almost a week and nothing has come back up. incase that helps.

 

a P0430 DTC is usually the pre-cat at the y-pipe bank1 not bank 2. this part ususally goes bad on 2k-2k1's. get a second opinion...

 

I replaced this one recently on my Fed spec 2K... I paid $100 for the sensor at a dealer and it took me 10-15 minutes to replace... All you need is a 22mm wrench (as far as I remember)... The wire leads to the front of the engine at the front valve cover... Easy to locate...

 

Buy a dual output O2 simulator for $30 shipped...and never worry about those ridiculous PO420/PO430 codes again. I failed an emissions test for having an engine light on even though my car had unbelievably low levels of emissions. The overengineering of the O2 sensors that measure the effectiveness of the catalytic converters is nonsense to me...especially with what happened during my failed test. It is a very easy install...you don't even need to get under the car.

 

Spent a while with Meineke tech under my car. He said the problem is clearly the "other" precat - the one under the engine, not up by the radiator. He said the appropriate direct fit replacement part includes the precat, some pipe, and the flexible connector downstream from the precat. He quoted $825 for the part + $75 for the labor to install it.

I hesitate to put on an O2 simulator. If the cat is breaking down inside (which it is), won't debris get blown downstream and cause problems with other components, or even worse, create a blockage and cause other problems? Any comments would be helpful.

Also, what's the best place to find parts online? I don't want any performace upgrades/high flow stuff. Just basic replacement parts.

Is there a cheaper alternative to "direct fit"? Junk yard sounds like it might be a good option for this.

 

Make me a reasonable offer for the both OEM pre-cats and y-pipe. Send message via hotmail- beaunique1@hotmail.com so that we can discuss the subject in more detail.

 

FYI, You'd have to pay for shipping because I'd have to ship from South Carolina. FYI,
slightly over 38k on the parts when removed.

 

I have had the same issue as well (P0430)...stupid question, does the y-pipe eliminate the pre-cat? If so then I may just take that route.

 

y pipe will eliminate both precats in Fed Spec cars, but will only remove the rear/ bottom of engine precat on Ca Spec cars. Need to keep the front precat to fool computer into thinking you still have both precats.

 

Yes, to the first question. Don't know about the second question. It wasn't an option for me. I wanted to lose both pre-cats...and did. Well, it appears I'll be keeping my OEM exhaust uh???:-)

 

I went to www.DirectNissanParts.com and got the Precat as well as the gaskets for $457 shipped. I think it was $409 for the Precat. I called the guys and they gave me 25% off the parts. The dealership is Peoria Nissan in Arizona and were really helpful. I gave a friend 100 bucks to install it. I *still* had to pay for the reprogramming of the ECU at the local stealership (another 100 bucks).

That was well over a year ago. I hope it helps.

 

RL-
Thanks for the offer. I'm not ready to buy parts yet. Problem is: I'm still not conviced which precat needs to be replaced. Dealer says bank2 (upper front, near radiator). Meineke says bank1 (under engine).

Which one would cause the 430 code? Looks like there are sensors at both of them.

I don't want to guess and go through all the trouble and $$ to find that the 430 code is still there.

 

I have the original stock Y-Pipe laying down in my tech room, I have a 2k1 Cali spec maxima. 75$ + shipping and it's yours.

Cheers

 

If you have less than 80,000 miles, demand your dealership to replace it.
Emissions warranty.
BTW have you have your ECM reprogrammed by Nissan for a previous 420/430 code ?

BTW:
B1 is rear bank which is 420. (Y Pipe eliminates this Pre Cat.)
B2 is front bank which is 430.(Fed Spec Conversion eliminates this Pre Cat.)

 

nismo_star:
Thanks for the clarification. I am at 105k miles, so no luck with warranty.

I have had the ECM re-programmed at least 2 times. Most recently: 2 weeks ago when I replaced the MAF. I assume it is the same code no matther what the reason for the reprogram. So I should be up to date.

Sounds like I need the replace the front (B2). Oh joy....

 

Whats a fed spec conversion? Should I look int that when I am putting in my Cattman Y pipe on my 2k SE Cali Spec.

Thanks, Mike

 

Interested???? I have both OEM pre-cats and y-pipe that I might sell at 25% off MSRP. I might consider selling the main-cat as well. Make me an offer....

 

Swapping the front calispec manifold for a fed spec manifold, eliminating the precat.

If you do this you need different Y-pipe or small pipe to go where the precat was.

You don't need to do this for your Y.

 

I'm getting the same code and it seems to actually be the O2 sensor because the code comes and goes. I'm going to replace the O2 sensor first and see if it corrects the SES light. If not I guess I'll have to replace the front pre-cat.

I'll probably get the O2 sensor in by this weekend. I'll let you guys know.

 

Can you provide a write-up on how to do it? Also can you tell me where you purchased your simulator?

- Vikas

 

BlackBird has a write-up on it, I followed it to install mine and no problems.

I had bad pre-cats as well, I just bought the HS Headers for $530 shipped, seems like a better deal than $950 for the factory y-pipe Hell even the Cattman Headers are cheaper than that.

 

Dont waste the money on the sensor... just get a dual O2 sim from o2simuator.com for $30 and never worry about it again.

 

Anyone with a SET of preCats they're willing to get rid of, please contact me. I'm looking for 2000 I30 fitment, lower miles better. Wife's car, just wants the light to go off... you know how it is.

 

Plenty in the Classifieds:

http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=28

 

If you need the bottom precat, I have a stock y pipe for sale, 4K miles. Its been off the car for a long time.

Now that I think about it, when I had the light on, they replaced a O2 sensor and reprogrammed the ECU under warranty. There is a TSB on it, but I'm not sure what bank it was.

 

I had check engine light on my 2000 Maxima SE California spec, 128,000 miles. Couldn't pass smog. Went to the dealership and paid $130 to read the code. It was P0430. The mechanic said that he tested the oxygen sensors and they responded as expected, thus he suggest replacing the B2 pre-cat ($900 part&labor). I wasn't ready to spend that money, so I replaced the oxygen sensor After the pre-cat. So far I drove 600 miles, and the check engine light didn't come back, and I passed smog as well.

 

I had the problem as well. Mine was combined bad o2 sensor(rear) and the precat. We first replaced the 02 and the SES code came back about 3 weeks later. The dealer wanted 990 to replace the pre-cat. I called Dave B and got the precat for 430ish and then called several dealers for estimated hours to install. Got one dealer to do it for 2 hours of labor(it only took them an hour) at $88/hour. It ended costing just over $600 rather than the $990.