Replacing my catalytic converter today

[Captain Jack]

...a quick question. Do I need any kind of sealing paste when I refit the pipework? I have 2 brand new clamps but not sure whether I need some "paste"?

[omega]

no you shudnt do
if you use a jack on the bottom of the down pipe to hold it in place it makes it easier[unless you have a ramp]

[Captain Jack]

Thanks omega. Done it on Saturday! Awkward to fit due to lack of space as usual but without any real issues. Slightly louder burble but that should quieten down (I hope) with time. And NO MORE STINKY CABIN!!

[Welly]

Well done Cap'n. You should have used some paste really but you might get away with it - have a look again in a couple of weeks to see if any black soot is appearing from the joints.

[Captain Jack]

Well done Cap'n. You should have used some paste really ...

Now you tell me?

[Welly]

I was just thinking of all the times I've stood and watched eggsauce's being fitted to my cars, they always seem to apply a smear of a cream-coloured paste to the mating surfaces.

Go back and do it all again

[Doggy]

Those clamps can be a real PITA, we've put a few on only to have the two pipes separate on a few occasions. It seems really tricky to get everything aligned perfectly, then tighten up the clamp while holding it in exactly the right place, all the way round the joint. Needs about 12 hands, eyes on flexible stalks and a goodly helping of luck.

....Or maybe just someone competent?

[FarmerPug]

how do you keep the car from saying antipollution fault when you remove the cat

[Doggy]

how do you keep the car from saying antipollution fault when you remove the cat

CJ's referring to changing his cat to cure a leaky flexible section, (I believe).

My saga related to removing the diesel particle filter from a 2.2 HDi 136 - only the 136 has this. AFAIK, 90 / 110 HDi's have no way of 'knowing' whether they have a cat, or not.

[Captain Jack]

Those clamps can be a real PITA, we've put a few on only to have the two pipes separate on a few occasions. It seems really tricky to get everything aligned perfectly, then tighten up the clamp while holding it in exactly the right place, all the way round the joint. Needs about 12 hands, eyes on flexible stalks and a goodly helping of luck.

....Or maybe just someone competent?

Yes, it took me 30 mins to take the old pipe off and 2.5 hours to clamp the new one on... a big PITA!

how do you keep the car from saying antipollution fault when you remove the cat

Erm... Dunno - I just unclamped the old one and clamped the new one in.

[jansengeorge]

My dad's 2000 Nissan Maxima (3L V6, 4-door sedan) has been making a high-pitched sound and recently the emission control warning light came on.heI took it to a shop and they said they need to replace the "tensioner pulley" and the "catalytic converter". They said replacing these will come to about $1400. The pulley, whatever it is, is about 250 for part and labor, but the catalytic converter will be 1000+.

What exactly is the catalytic converter? Can it not be replaced and the car still be functional and what if not? I'm not familiar with English terms for car parts. It sounds a bit like what in Finnish is called "katalysaattori" which essentially "cleans up" exhaust emissions in three different ways. In Finland these were very expensive when they first came out, and a lot of people either took theirs out and resold or simply didn't replace a malfunctioning one due to the high price and a myth that the part caused engines to give poorer gas mileage and engine power. That of course was illegal in EU countries as of the early 90's. I don't know about the States, or if this is even the same part.

How essential is this converter? The repairs would come to about 1400 and I don't know if this car is even worth that much.

Thanks.

______________________________
2000 Nissan Maxima Catalytic Converter

[Captain Jack]

In a diesel, it's not really needed and some people do indeed remove them. In a petrol, you do need it else you won't pass MOT emissions.