The Nissan Path

Just had my 2006 Pathfinder LE at my trusted shop for "Service Engine" light at 207K miles.
The shop tells me I need the Right replaced and might as well replace both Cat Converters because it will likely go out next. Also replace both Oxygen sensors.
Altogether they are quoting $1900 for the parts and labor. They say I need to do before my next emissions test which is comin up in a couplet of months.

What has been your experience on the cost and need?

Thanks!

Make sure you use OEM. I had both of mine replaced with aftermarket cats (the shop lied to me) and they lasted about 3 months.

I would only replace the converter that failed along with the upstream oxygen sensor on that particular bank. I've used Walker catalytic converters and I haven't had any issues with them so far. The genuine Nissan converters are ridiculously expensive!

DanJetta wrote:Make sure you use OEM. I had both of mine replaced with aftermarket cats (the shop lied to me) and they lasted about 3 months.

Thanks Dan - I'm curious at what mileage did you have to replace yours?

smj999smj wrote:I would only replace the converter that failed along with the upstream oxygen sensor on that particular bank. I've used Walker catalytic converters and I haven't had any issues with them so far. The genuine Nissan converters are ridiculously expensive!

Thanks SMJ - I was thinking about the same thing. Replacing just the one that definitely failed. I may run it by another shop just to get the error code reading confirmed.
I'm curious at what mileage you had to replace yours?

Thanks!

The left bank was replaced by Nissan under extended warranty at 84,000 miles. I replaced the right bank with a Walker converter at 155,000 miles. Then, my left bank started triggering a P0430 catalyst code intermittently at 170,000 miles, which I haven't gotten around to changing, yet, now at 182,000 miles (and now triggering the code more frequently). Ironically, my 2008 Pathfinder V6 has 233,000 miles on it and the entire exhaust, including all of the converters, are all original and not triggering any codes (knock on wood!). The only thing I ever replaced on the exhaust on the 2008 is a few heat shield straps that rusted and broke.

smj999smj wrote:The left bank was replaced by Nissan under extended warranty at 84,000 miles. I replaced the right bank with a Walker converter at 155,000 miles. Then, my left bank started triggering a P0430 catalyst code intermittently at 170,000 miles, which I haven't gotten around to changing, yet, now at 182,000 miles (and now triggering the code more frequently). Ironically, my 2008 Pathfinder V6 has 233,000 miles on it and the entire exhaust, including all of the converters, are all original and not triggering any codes (knock on wood!). The only thing I ever replaced on the exhaust on the 2008 is a few heat shield straps that rusted and broke.

Thanks SMJ - I should think myself lucky since this is the first time I'm getting the error code and at 207K miles!

The more I think about it the more I'm leaning to just replacing the faulty one and oxygen sensor and passing emission and see how it goes!

smj999smj wrote:The left bank was replaced by Nissan under extended warranty at 84,000 miles. I replaced the right bank with a Walker converter at 155,000 miles. Then, my left bank started triggering a P0430 catalyst code intermittently at 170,000 miles, which I haven't gotten around to changing, yet, now at 182,000 miles (and now triggering the code more frequently). Ironically, my 2008 Pathfinder V6 has 233,000 miles on it and the entire exhaust, including all of the converters, are all original and not triggering any codes (knock on wood!). The only thing I ever replaced on the exhaust on the 2008 is a few heat shield straps that rusted and broke.

How hard is it to change out?

Depends on the rust. Removing the wheel and plastic inner liner gives you access to the top of the upstream converter bolts and nuts. The heat shield is in the way and most usually trim it to gain access to the bolts; if you try to remove the heat shield, the bolts will likely break. This part is a lot easier for me since I replaced the original exhaust manifolds with Doug Thorley shortie headers. This is also where you gain access to the upstream oxygen sensor; I recommend NTK or Denso brand (NTK is OEM). On the bottom side, from under the vehicle, you have to remove the post converter and once that's out of the way, the upstream converter can come out from under the car.

SMJ,

Last year when I got the code, I took off the tire, inner fender lining and was able to loosen and remove the heat shield without any bolts breaking and I could loosen the cat bolts. I didnt try the upstream O2 sensor.

With that said, I can get it off ok, but will the Walker replacement fit right back in place?

Thanks

The Walker Ultra is a direct-fit part, although you will need some additional hardware (10mm bolts and nuts) as well as the gaskets. When I replace my left bank converter, I'm planning on going with the Eastern Catalytic ECO III from Rockauto, which is less expensive and comes with the gaskets; it also has a better warranty. I can't say whether or not the Eastern Catalytic is better than the Walker or not but I am going to give it a shot.

Thanks SMJ

If you have a few minutes and dont mind, can you list the parts I need to replace my passenger CAT? Walker part number, gaskets, bolts?

2006 Path auto / V6

much appreciated

Walker # 16467 converter, two of # 31576 gaskets and two of 31540 gaskets. The bolts/nuts I used were stainless steel, 10MM general hardware I found at Lowes; I don't remember the length or the thread pitch of the bolts.

SMJ....as always, thanks for the reply and help.