2004 Nissan Frontier Catalytic Converter

HFRANKLIN

MEMBER
2004 NISSAN FRONTIER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
210,000 MILES

Hello,

I am new here so please bear with me. I have a 2004 Nissan Frontier XE pickup truck. It has 210,000 (yes 210,000) miles on it. I have always done routine maintenance but I think I have a problem that is not routine. I believe that my FRONT catalytic converter is shot. I have been reading up on this, and many sources say look for extreme discoloration. Well, it has that so I took it out and ordered a new one. What a job that was.

Since I am not a mechanic, I do not know if this is normal discoloration after so many miles, or if the bottom half of the catalytic converter was extremely overheating, telling me that something isn't correct. To me, it looks like the bottom was getting "white hot." There is severe white discoloration. But I am not a mechanic so for all I know it is normal looking. Can anyone tell me if this looks like normal wear, or possibly a bad cat.

Thank you in advance for any input. Also, does the new catalytic converter come with the gasket for the top (the larger opening in the cat)? Or is this usually sold separately?

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Hi HFranklin, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Take it to an emission testing shop and have the exhaust gas analyzed before and after the catalytic converter this will tell if its defective and the caused has to be identified otherwise it defeat the purpose getting a new and end up in the same situation -Catalytic Converters can be expensive

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Thursday, May 13th, 2010 AT 5:46 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

Hello, Sometimes when catalytic converters go bad then will sound like something loose inside when the engine is running, this is letting you know the material inside the cat has broken apart and is clogging the outlet pipe. ex:

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_does_my_engine_have_low_power.htm

Below step nine, see how the "honeycomb" is plugging the outlet? Sometimes you will need to remove the cat to inspect. Thanks for using 2carpros.com. We are happy to help.

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Thursday, May 13th, 2010 AT 5:53 PM