Topic: P0240 Code

[valentin36]

Help
So my X finally popped the check engine light one for the first time
3 codes all the same one P0240
Catalyst Converter.
So how do I diagnosed this?
Im at 108k it seems to soon to go out? Right? Wrong? I dont want to replace it and that wasnt the issues.
Guy at autozone suggested 93 gas and a gas cleaner so i was thinking seafoam and see what happens.
Any other suggestions ??

[knightrider]

Seems like alot of the xterra's have cat go around 100-150k.

93 octane will do nothing, you can try seafoam but that will most likely not help either, it will only clean out deposits from the engine an further clog the cats.

[knightrider]

I would look and see if there are any vacuum or exhaust leaks, check spark plugs and make sure none are fouled.

[valentin36]

Any recommendations
I checked rockauto and non are carb compliant with Cali.

[knightrider]

Depending on your year magnaflow has carb approved cats, if you are newer your only option is OEM

[valentin36]

Ahhhhhhh
My baby is a 12 and all i see are weld on ones that are cali carb



Not that I'm trying to be cheap but I wonder, I drove from Cali to Va. need to wait for a month to recover financially so would this be an option. Causes sensors alone are another 200bones. And I guess idk how much the catalytic converters are at the dealership
Probably an arm and a leg if Im lucky

[JeffBett]

I did the spacer on one cat until the other threw a code then replaced both with Magnaflows.  Bought off Ebay and they shipped from the factory in Oceanside, ~$225 each. You will lose some skin on your knuckles changing them. Mine went between 108K and 112K.

You can't use the spacer during a smog check unless you get lucky and they don't inspect, you would have to remove it just before the test.  The issue with the spacer is that if you have a problem where the cat is breaking up, you can suck it back into the engine and kill your rings.  It's a bit of a gamble.

[Ghost65]

Cats are a beyatch...IMHO, if youre gonna keep the Xterra more than another 5 years, pony up the $$$ and get the OEM cats installed.  Keep your Xterra and drive on.  It will be better for all the systems in the long run.  Looking at about 2-3K installed @ Nissan. 

IME, I installed cheaper converters and it led to other thrown codes and engine issues...which led to the eventual sale of my X.

If youre not gonna keep the X that long, get the less expensive aftermarket cats, plan for the sale, and move on.

[valentin36]

Luckily i just smogged this past year and I'm good for 2/3years even so Im in Virginia for that time.
Might try the spacer tho!!
Cause nothing seems to be after market for mine. Unless yours is an 11 or older and know of something.

[knightrider]

The spacer is not really a fix for the problem, just a fix for the light. 

[JeffBett]

It seems to me the track record of the OEM cats is pretty horrible.  Lasting only 100-150K is not good, like mine at 108K, that's pretty horrible.  I have a friend that has a Tecoma with 500K on it and never changed a cat.  None of my other high mileage vehicles have ever been that bad or ever had a cat go.  I have no proof but my gut says a Magnaflow is going to last as well if not much longer and less than half the price then paying to have the words Nissan stamped in the sheet metal.   With multiple 14 year old Xterras, I have had to replace many parts.  I try to find the equivalent to the OEM if possible.   Like for instance I just did another one of the Cam Position Sensors and if you buy the Hitachi, its the OEM at half the price.

[valentin36]

So now the thing is
2012 Xterra S
Cant find the mangaflow cat anywhere the magnaflow site us out of stock.
Reading more into it everyone says Frontiers are interchangeable when its comes to engine parts. I see 12-13-14 Frontier cats on the site? Would that work on my X with no issues or huge modifications?

[valentin36]

https://www.magnaflow.com/products/5581668-catalytic-converter-magnaflow-california-grade-carb-compliant-direct-fit-catalytic-converter

https://www.magnaflow.com/products/5581665-catalytic-converter-magnaflow-california-grade-carb-compliant-direct-fit-catalytic-converter

[knightrider]

the problem with the magnaflow not showing availability for the newer xterra has nothing to do with fitment and everything to do with the stupid CARB peeps.  getting parts certified is very expensive and a pain in the ass. 

because nissan changed the ecu in 09, they have to certify the 09+ models separately even though the physical part is no different.  magnaflow may be running into issues with higher standards that they are not able to meet.   

[knightrider]

The reason you see frontier parts is because a frontier is in a different class of vehicle (Light Duty Truck) that has different set of rules than the xterra, which is an SUV/passenger car. 

This is one of the reasons nissan stopped making the xterra, because it is classified as a passenger vehicle, it has to meet the same emissions and whatnot that a normal passenger car like an altima or versa.  Nissan has to pay for credits to make up their fleet average MPG being below the standard set by the feds and CARB so they have incentive to drop low MPG vehicles like the xterra.