I have a 2001 Max (5th gen, VQ30DE-K), and my ses light is throwing a code that reads "rear catalyst reading below efficiency". My emissions are due very soon, so I was wondering if anybody knows whether I can still pass emissions with the rear cat not working/having a rear cat delete, or if I need to get it replaced or cleaned. I live in Georgia btw, thanks.

 

Rear cat does not have a sensor. It's one of the precats. Put defoulers on secondary O2s.

 

just wondering do any of you still pass smog?
i'm pretty sure my cat stopped working long ago.

 

i pass smog, have a O2 sim for gutted precats (front and rear)

 

It depends on the state and the test. NY and PA now just rely on throwing no codes and visual presence of cats. Both states rely on private garages for compliance when they perform the tests so you need to find a lenient garage when it comes to visual inspections. My go-to garage in NYC is so lazy that they don't even open the car hood and barely look at my brakes. It's probably why I see NYC taxi's go there for inspections, LOL.

Cars older than Pre-ODBii years probably have a tailpipe sniffer test (in PA anyway). My Camaro was driven less than 5k miles every year so I was exempt from the sniffer test.

If your cat stopped working, you need to address it regardless. It's either clogged or falling apart. And by rear cat, it's most likely the rear precat by the firewall and not the main cat. The main cat is not monitored on your car.

 

Cats are like $80 on eBay new . Is it really worth the trouble?

 

Cats are worthless and those don't last anyway.

 

They serve there purpose and that's to pass the test.

Nissan dealer hooked my car up to a smog test .I passed with only the main cat. With both precats deleted.

 

You can even pass with no cats under the right conditions. There's no need to waste money on cats when a sim/defoulers work just fine.

And in your case, if you wanted a rear cat for sniffer, then just wash the old one. Literally, that's all there is to it.

 

i guess they're cheap enough from magnaflow.

https://www.magnaflow.com/products/4...l?aces=6500431



check out the precats though.....

https://www.magnaflow.com/collection...alifornia=true

 

If you have a code regardless if it's smog tested or not a CEL will get you nothing except paying for a list of discrepancies....