Check engine light came on.. Catalytic converter

[TallahasseeQX]

That's not too far from what I get driving my '11. Most of my driving consists of city, which is 11mpg. Mine already has both cats replaced and timing chain taken care of.

What mileage you at hoaapple?

I'm at 81,500.

Timing chain recall is scheduled (they're just waiting for a loaner to give me before we/they put it on the calendar).

Bank 2 Cat is bad now and needs to be replaced. I'm sure Bank 1 won't be far behind.

 

[hoaapple]

What mileage you at hoaapple?

I'm at 81,500.

Timing chain recall is scheduled (they're just waiting for a loaner to give me before we/they put it on the calendar).

Bank 2 Cat is bad now and needs to be replaced. I'm sure Bank 1 won't be far behind.

I'm at 84k. The 2 cats were replaced before I purchased it prior to the 80k mark though.

 

[0macman0]

What mileage you at hoaapple?

I'm at 81,500.

Timing chain recall is scheduled (they're just waiting for a loaner to give me before we/they put it on the calendar).

Bank 2 Cat is bad now and needs to be replaced. I'm sure Bank 1 won't be far behind.

My Bank 1 went bad first, Bank two started throwing the code repeatedly about 3K miles later. They don't seem to fail asymmetrically, either they are faulty from the get go, the timing chain problems ruined them from incorrect air/fuel control, or the ECM software has an issue.

 

[TallahasseeQX]

UPDATE: I got the bank 2 air-flow sensor replaced, as the dealer requested (since he was paying for it, I went along with it). Local muffler shop did the work. Mechanic told me when I picked it up that he guessed the SES light would come back on within 50 miles, and that I should go drive it on the interstate for 45 minutes or so to see if he was right. Sure enough, he was right. Came on right at the 50ish mile mark.

I sent the dealer a picture of my SES light back on after I'd already texted him a picture of the invoice for the air-flow sensor job. To his credit, he called me right away and said, "Damn...I was really hoping that was it...but we'll make it right." To his further credit, he's been responsive and willing to work with me the whole time. Can't say that about many car dealers. Now that the sensor's been replaced, the remainder of the job (replacing the Bank 2 CAT) will run $1,100. I told him that 1)I really appreciated the responsiveness and helpfulness he's displayed and 2)I'd split the cost of the job with him since truthfully, I deserve some of the blame for buying a used car without doing all of my own due diligence in the first place. He said he thought that was fair.

So it looks like I'm out $550 for the whole procedure.

I'll be on my own when Bank 1 follows suit though.

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[MarcinR]

11 here and just over 80k miles. SES came on with P0420. I'm getting bad smell from the exhaust so I'm assuming cat is toast. Getting it fixed at the dealer is out of the question due to their outrageous prices. New car is $400 on eBay. Has anyone replaced it themselves?

 

[CBlake]

Yes, I have done it myself. It's not an easy repair since everything is so crammed in. It is possible to do, though. The first one took me a weekend, and the second one took part of a day.

 

[0macman0]

I am attempting it myself in the next couple of weeks. Any tips will be much appreciated. Cblake, did you have to do both sides, and did you have to remove the ac compressor and steering column to get the drivers side out?

 

[TallahasseeQX]

You guys that can work on your rides have my respect and admiration.

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[marctronixx]

yes! mine too!

 

[CBlake]

I did both sides, but only 1 was throwing the codes. I figured I might as well do both since I'm was doing it. Both sides are a PITA.

You can do it without removing the compressor, column, or differential. Make sure you have some universal joint sockets (14MM I think) and long extensions. The exhaust manifold bolts are very tough to get to. They're even tough to get to by going through the wheel opening and removing the plastic liner. Keep at it and you'll get it.

Another tough part is removing the heat shield around the manifold. You'll have to bend it up to remove it, but don't let it beat you. It may take several hours to remove the first one. The second one will be easier, though.

Replace your AFR sensors when you're in there. It's recommended when you replace the cats.

Installing the new manifold on the drivers side was a little tricky. There is not enough clearance to install the manifold with all the manifold studs installed. You'll need to remove a few studs, install the manifold, then reinstall the studs. You'll see what I mean when you get there.

This project will take you a while, but you can do it! Otherwise, I like Utah and if you wanna buy me an airplane ticket...

I'll send you a PM with my cell phone number and you can call or text if you have any questions while you're working.

 

[TallahasseeQX]

I did both sides, but only 1 was throwing the codes. I figured I might as well do both since I'm was doing it. Both sides are a PITA.

You can do it without removing the compressor, column, or differential. Make sure you have some universal joint sockets (14MM I think) and long extensions. The exhaust manifold bolts are very tough to get to. They're even tough to get to by going through the wheel opening and removing the plastic liner. Keep at it and you'll get it.

Another tough part is removing the heat shield around the manifold. You'll have to bend it up to remove it, but don't let it beat you. It may take several hours to remove the first one. The second one will be easier, though.

Replace your AFR sensors when you're in there. It's recommended when you replace the cats.

Installing the new manifold on the drivers side was a little tricky. There is not enough clearance to install the manifold with all the manifold studs installed. You'll need to remove a few studs, install the manifold, then reinstall the studs. You'll see what I mean when you get there.

This project will take you a while, but you can do it! Otherwise, I like Utah and if you wanna buy me an airplane ticket...

I'll send you a PM with my cell phone number and you can call or text if you have any questions while you're working.

Again, you all have my admiration. Very impressive.

I feel like I just read Greek. LOL

 

[CBlake]

Thank you!

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[PetitFrereArmada]

I did both sides, but only 1 was throwing the codes. I figured I might as well do both since I'm was doing it. Both sides are a PITA.

What? You did what? Man, all respects to you for changing both cats. I think you are definitely very skilled.

I also agree with you that it is a good idea to do both if one is bad. But I guess only a good idea for someone like you who can change both in their driveway.

Ok, I am in Texas. Do you like Texas also? I may have a flight ticket for you if that code appears again on my car. I might as well do both cats instead of one. If cost is not too much for both.

What cats did you buy? Got a link for both?
What 2 oxygen sensors did you buy? What brand? Got links?

PM coming your way...

 

[CBlake]

Thanks sir! Yeah, I did both within 2 months of replacing the timing chain myself (before the recall came out).

I used all infiniti parts.

140021LA0D RH EXHAUST MANIFOLD
140021LA0C LH EXHAUST MANIFOLD
226931LA0C OXYGEN SENSOR

I like Texas, too! lol

 

[mambro]

...Yeah, I did both within 2 months of replacing the timing chain myself (before the recall came out).

 

[CBlake]

Ha! Thanks

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[TallahasseeQX]

Jesus...you did your timing chain too? That's nuts. I was just at Infiniti today while they were working on mine. The service tech asked me if I wanted to see how they were doing on it. I was stunned and amazed to see basically my entire engine taken apart and some snot-nosed 20-something mechanic standing over it with a grin. I was like, "Well I might feel better if you didn't look like you were young enough to be my son (I'm 41)." He just laughed and said, "Don't worry...I promise I've done dozens of these. I won't screw it up."

 

[CBlake]

Nice, I just turned 41 also. Yeah, it's very intensive. I had labels for everything and laid everything out in order following the service manual. It took me a couple weeks of evenings, but I saved $4300 in labor.

The service manual will say something like "remove the front differential ". It's only 1 line of the steps, but takes a long time to do. It's very satisfying to start it the first time after getting that deep into the engine.

 

[focsle]

UFDA! Awesome work.

 

[Brookelyndodger]

Do not replace the catalytic converters!!!!

Okay, so my 2012 QX56 has 82K miles on it. CEL light has been on for months, but the Infiniti dealer isn't convenient and I thought I had read that if the CEL light isn't blinking, then it isn't serious just yet, but still should be looked at.

Took the vehicle in finally a few days ago. The guy basically told me both cats were bad and the cost was $5100......I don't know much about cars, but this seemed absurd for a "well respected" luxury vehicle that hasn't even hit 100K miles. I basically told then, "uh-no thanks". I called my mechanic who could do it for about $3200k. Same parts, just absurd labor rates from Infiniti. If that doesn't tell you how much a dealership overcharges for their labor rates, then by all means, have the dealership work on your vehicle(s).

So I'm making this story longer than necessary, but I ran across a guy who recommended 2 cans of seafoam and some "intense" driving on this thread. I figured what's $15 for two cans versus $3200-$5100? I had a 500 mile round trip road trip coming up, so I figured, now is as good a time as any. Added two cans of seafoam to the my gas tank (tank was half full). I'm guessing two cans of this stuff to a half tank might increase performance? Regardless, that's what I did. Drove it pretty much 85-95 MPH round trip. Well what do you know, the CEL stopped lighting up......after only a few hours. I didn't even need to reset the codes, it just went away. It's been a few days and still nothing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I wouldn't do anything other than add two cans of seafoam before paying anything to anybody.

Just my two cents.