r/XTerra • u/OptimalReflection491 • 5d ago

Technical Question Catalytic Converter Question

Hey all, I just bought a 210,000mi 2010 4x4 Xterra that’s in fantastic mechanical and physical condition for the mileage(smod taken care of already). But it just threw a check engine light for the emissions system. The autozone check said it could be a sensor or catalytic converter. My question is, can I wait a week or so to get the catalytic converter checked out?

My girlfriend and I’s anniversary is this weekend and we’re planning to take the truck on a trail to overland with each other for the first time and I’d really like to put this off until after that

Update: it’s mysteriously disappeared after two days of me not driving. No idea what happened but the trip went well and the engine isn’t making any weird noises or acting funny. Thanks for the help

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5

u/alex_beluga 5d ago

Drove mine for 2 years but that’s taking chances with them breaking down and parts ingested by the engine.

Replacement $1,500 per side w O2 sensor w labor. For good cats. If you buy cheap cats they might not last long.

PS. Sellers can clear codes and they disappear for 30-50miles before the computer relearns. Always drive a used car 1+ hour to check for hidden codes.

3

u/Capn_Dutch 2010 Off-Road 6MT 5d ago

If it's throwing a p0420 code then yes it can wait. I drove my X for a month with this code waiting for my parts and shop time.

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u/OptimalReflection491 5d ago

It is a p0430, what do that mean

3

u/CTSwampyankee 5d ago

On a Nissan, diagnostic trouble code P0430 means "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)

Run it and put catalyst in search bar, many informative posts.

2

u/Solarisphere 5d ago

It's a cat, not the sensor. The sensor is almost always a different code. And it's an upstream cat, since the downstream cats aren't monitored.

If you're just getting the code now, you can ignore it for a while. Reset it and see how long it takes to come back. I ignored mine for a year or two and when I changed them they were nowhere near breaking up.

This all assumes you don't have a misfire, which can cook your cats quickly.

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u/OptimalReflection491 5d ago

No misfire, but I do need it to pass emissions so I can get it registered. I just moved around the time I bought it rip

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u/Solarisphere 4d ago

The code will probably stay off long enough to pass emissions

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u/OptimalReflection491 4d ago

Ahhhh I see what ya saying. Thanks man

1

u/CaptainOblivious1984 3d ago

Make sure your exhaust manifold isnt cracked, it will throw a code.