2000 Max SE 160,000 Miles


Car is pulling 2 codes.... $2,000.00 to fix all.

P0430 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
Tested 3way Catalyst Bank 2 and found that the 3way Catalyst was failing. Need to replace 3way Catalyst Bank 2.

P0505 - Idle Air Control Valve / Auxiliary Air Control Valve
Found that the car was idleing high, need to performed idle air vol.

Also found out that: Drive belts cracked, rear main crank seal leaking, front crank seal leaking


Okay to start off about 6 months ago we up'd the idleing to keep the car running because sitting still it would cut off. (in park or in drive)
Maybe this has something to do with the P0505 code?



Please please.....any help to fix this myself?????

 

$2K! They are crazy!!!

Consider buying a shop manual DVD and then decide if you feel if you up to it. Your car has 160K its going to need stuff. Consider buying you code reader or have them read for free at AutoZone.

To replace the rear main seal you have to pull the tranny. Do it when you replace the clutch.

 

Both front and rear main seal leaking... Damn

You got some issues unless you have mechanical ability and a lot of time on your hands

I'de get rid of the car.. and buy another one. You can get 2000 Maximas with high mileage for close to nothing.

I am surprised its not more than 2k.. With labor rates at 110/hour.

Just to clue you guys in, if I didnt work for Infiniti, it would have cost me something like 580$ JUST to replace the MAF.

 

Not a surprise that they wanted close to 500 to replace two O2 sensors and then got mad when I told them I would replace the sensors and then they can reflash the ECU.

 

Was your thermistor dead too? If it was not, you could have easily called DaveB and got a replacement 00-01 MAF for ~100$, and transferred the IAT from your old MAF to the new unit. (00-01)


Mother of God, is that what they are these days?

 

Everything except the rear main crank seal and possibly the catalyst are fairly easy to do if you have the right tools and time. I would, as been previously mentioned, invest in:

1. A code reader $60 to $80 - they're inexpensive when compared to just ONE dealership diagnostic fee which can range from $80 to over $100
2. A service manual on CD - I paid $7.50 on ebay
3. Tools and a floor jack, maybe $350, you can spend less, it depends on what you buy and where you buy it

Think about it you can spend $450 dollars once and have all the stuff above to use anytime you want and it's yours to keep. Instead of repeatedly spending $600 here and $2000 there.

 

www.VQ35DE.com/ESM will save $7.50.

 

Everything is fixed but the:
P0430 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
Tested 3way Catalyst Bank 2 and found that the 3way Catalyst was failing. Need to replace 3way Catalyst Bank 2.

The cat from the stealership is $800.00. Anyway to get around this?

 

Highly doubt the rear-main crank seal is leaking, It's almost always the Upper oil-pan end seal, a slight technicality since they are almost one in the sam, but the repair procedure varies greatly.

Also, nearly everytime I've seen the cat efficiency codes it's been due to a faulty o2 sensor that wouldn't trip a code but rattled upon removal, I'd get a second opinion and preferably have some proper diagnose done if the dealer didn't do anything like measure the inlet/outlet temps or visually inspect the cat or both primary and secondary o2's.

Just my .o2c, I didn't have the car so it's quite possible the stealer is corect in there findings, but my experience tells me otherwise.

 

The reason for the code is the O2 sensor is telling the ECU that the cat is going bad. Sure Nissan want's to sell you a cat, but did you ever stop and think it could be just a lazy O2? You can just replace the O2 on bank 2 sensor 2 and see if the code goes away. You can also put an 02 simulator on the circuit and forgetaboutit. Wasn't there a TSB about catalyst efficiency being to sensitive requiring an ECU update?

 

You could probably find it on

www.car-part.com


I have an 02 I35 so the MAFs are much more expensive.. something like 300+ for the part alone.

I think it was actually 400+ for the part if I had paid retail. Trust me I have an even better hookup for infiniti parts with my dealership. Sales gets 10% over cost most of the time and they make a fair bit of profit on most parts.

 

O2 simulator...about 10 bucks.

 

It's illegal in all 50 states to sell used catalytic converters....junkyards won't sell you one, because if they get caught, its a really hefty fine.

I tried to pull one at pick-it-yourself yard once and when I brought it to the counter the guy told me he couldn't sell it to me. After some suggestion from me, he said for $20 cash he wouldn't notice me putting it in my duffle bag

 

Never knew that

 

I just dont know where to start with this......

 

I'd start here:

 

lol I don't blame them. I would have told you that you can reflash the ECU after you replace the sensors.

 

you can try to find a private seller whos parting a 2000 max and buy the cat from him, I know that one guy in NYC from NYCMaximas.org is parting his 2000 Max, look him up and see if he will sell his to you.

 

autopartswarehouse.com has each banks precat for around 300-315 a piece, HALF of what the dealership charges. but as previously stated, make sure its not a faulty sensor, in my case my cat went out and i ended up replacing the o2 sensor because i had a code saying the sensor was bad when it was my cat that was actually bad.

 

P0430 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
Tested 3way Catalyst Bank 2 and found that the 3way Catalyst was failing. Need to replace 3way Catalyst Bank 2.


Which 02 Sensor should I start with? Thinking about doing this job myself this weekend......

 

um....start with the Bank2 O2s, since that's the bank where your problem is

 

Bank 2 sensor 2 is also called Right side sensor 2.

 

Thank you! Thats what I was asking...Where that 02 sensor was located. Sorry Im not a mechanic and didnt know where it was located. I have the haynes man. but it didnt say which 02 sensor was which. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

It is a pain trying to figure out which O2 is which. Maybe someone can take the diagram showing the placement of all the O2 sensors and put the engine code you get next to each sensor so it would be more obvious which is which.

 

My advice - replace both 02s in bank 2 - pre and post cat. I think bosch has some universals for about 79.00ea at NAPA. You should unplug them in the engine bay, cut the cable ties and then un-screw the 02's from the bungs on the exhaust. Before taking of the 02's, I'd spray them with some PB Blaster - don't forget when you reinstall your 02's to put some thread compound on them.

edit: you need an 02 socket

 

A 22mm or 7/8 open end wrench can remove them if you take your time and be careful not to round the O2 sensor. Using a torch and heating the bottom of the sensor can ease removal but if you are not careful and it is seized bad you can remove the treads in the y-pipe.

 

so which Two NGK O2 sensors would be for the rear bank from NGK?....im getting the infamous P0430 code as well, so im gonna get the O2 sensors done when i get my tune up (change spark plugs)

NGK's numbering isnt helping at all

 

Seems Im not smart here...Which sensers do I need?

http://www.nissanpartstore.com/catal...ice%7C0&Npp=10

 

it says on the website before or after catalyst!

 

Ok???? So which one do I need?

 

Thank god I know someone who can work on my car properly. Talk about outrageous.

 

no offense, but you're pushing your luck here.. Bank 2 Sensor 2, as you already know. Find a manual and look for that particular sensor. It's not as difficult as you're making it, trust me.

 

Have you visually seen the front seal and rear seal leaking? I would remove the y-pipe and visually inspect the precats and rear cat for damage! If no damage is found then I would test both O2 sensors after the precats. Replacing only the faulty part and if your front and rear seal are leaking just fix it...It's cheaper than getting another car! Take your baby to the car wash but remove all the splash shields B4 you go and take a small floor jack so you can spray down your engine really well 2 verify where that leak is coming from...Keep your car dude! Those guys that sell the phenolic intake spacer have those relearning procedures on thier installation pdf!