I don't know if I spelled catalytic converter right. I'm also not even sure what one is/does.

I have an '06 with 11,000 miles and I noticed probably 5,000 miles ago that when I "get on it" in first gear, and look in my rear-view mirror, I sometimes see two trails of "smoke" coming from the dual exhausts. This doesn't happen all the time I don't think, but I do not drive my car hard however occasionally I do like to open her up a bit. The smoke is not black or blue or anything but I though it was weird.

Also, sometimes when I do decide to "get on it" a bad sulpher/sewer type smell occurs. For example if I am driving up a steep hill and I decide to really give it some gas.....the smell is there sometimes. This happened once when I had a friend in the car with me and he said "dude, thats your catalytic converter....you need to get that checked out." The only reason I didn't get it checked is because it doesn't happen to often (however I don't drive the car hard too often either), and the car is under warranty, so if the car blows up right now....I don't care. Well I care but...........whatever.


What do you think this is?? Something I should worry about? Have any of you experienced this with your Max?

 

I promise this is common of the 6thgen Maximas out there. Some folks will tell you they've solved the problem, others haven't. My car still does that also when you 'dig into her a little bit'.

I am not entirely sure what that smell is, but I know that it's nothing to get bent over.

Congrats on your Baby,

Swee

 

Ok, thanks.

 

Agree with Swee.

The sulfuric smell when you sometimes push things hard is a characteristic of the 6th gen Maxima. I have had it happen less than a dozen times in three years with my '04.

It first happened about six months after I bought the car new, and I thought something bad had happened. But others here on the ORG said it happened to them, and nothing bad resulted.

Three years later, my car seems in perfect condition. But a few times a year, when I really push it, phew! I can live with that, since I know it doesn't spell doom.

And it doesn't mean the catalyc converter is bad, as it happens about the same frequency when the car is new as it does after years of use.

 

Ok guys, thanks. I feel better knowing that I am not the only one to experience this. I really wasn't too worried about it, as the car is running perfect. Just thought I would ask about it anyway.

 

my converter was bad, according to the dealership, i didnt pass inspection the dealer swapped it under warrenty, and had to go back for inspection again. if anyting just go to the dealer

 

Why go unnecessarily? I do not care to take my car to the dealership unless it is in need of a visit. Whenever they 'poke' around trying to duplicate a problem, I leave with another.

Swee

 

I got a SES light right before the 36K mark. The dealer replaced the CAT. But I think it is covered for upto the emission warranty of your state which is pretty long. Otherwise it's pretty expensive.

 

Agreed, don't go to the dealer unless you absolutely need to. For small things I just get the parts instead of going. THese people don't care and oftentimes fix one thing and brake another, even if not intentionaly, but simply because of lack of proper care techiques.

 

LOL, yes you spelled Catalytic Converter correctly...

 

or another fix would be to run straight pipes...

 

your car would smell, smoke, and sound worse in that case

 

i couldnt pass inspection, and would be a moving target for cops and tickets without one. got a brand new cat from the dealership, so why not

 

thats fine as your case is different; you didn't pass the inspection. The other guy did not go through the inspection, he just has the rotten egg smell when stomping the pedal. Going to the dealer and simply telling them that will not get you far. And leaving your car for them to find out whats wrong is a whole different ball game. A game I wouldn't like to play.

 

I agree.

Mavssolja,

Im sure that at some point in the past, having that smell would have been an indicator of a bad cat. That isn't a blanket symptom anymore. I'm glad yours was fixed.
It is another beauty mark on this beast of a car.

Swee

 

those are obviously performance indicators!

 

My husband loves the smell, he compares it to passing gas while beating someone. "All they're left with is my tail and a little smell..." Charming, isn't he?

 

I like the "I just literally smoked them!" much better though

 

Nice one....didn't even think of that. Imagine the insult to injury. They've not only been beat by a 4DSC, but they have that nasty smell. Just imagine the conversation in that car.."Fred, you just pass gas? Why didn't you warn me? Man, that race really had you nervous, didn't it?"

 

To eliminate all (pre and main) cats on these cars, you need to install headers. The smell is characteristic of heat with respect to engine load. I used to get a good wiff of it at the dyno, but, not anymore

 

Now that you mention it, I haven't had the smell since I installed a Y-pipe.