How can I tell if my '95 Altima is a "california" emissions vehicle?

[mtnbkr]

I need a new Catalytic converter for my Altima.  I'd just check the emissions tag on the hood, except that the tag went with the hood when I wrecked the car a couple years ago.

How else can I tell?

Thanks,
Chris

[charby]

VIN number should be to tell you. Call up the Nissan dealer with you VIN and they should be able to translate it for you.

Charby

[mtnbkr]

That amounts to work

I was hoping for an easy, visual method.  

I'll call the dealer and see what they can tell me. [/lazy]

Chris

[Guest]

That amounts to work

I was hoping for an easy, visual method.  

I'll call the dealer and see what they can tell me. [/lazy]

Chris

This is gonna dissapoint you, but putting on a catalytic converter is more work than a phone call :p

[mtnbkr]

This is gonna dissapoint you, but putting on a catalytic converter is more work than a phone call :p

I'm aware of that.  I was just trying to reduce the pre-task work.

Chris

[Azrael256]

If your catalytic converter went out and only one indicator popped up, it's probably not a California car.  If twelve lights came on, two buzzers, a siren, and a mechanical sounding voice started howling, it might be.

[K Frame]

"...voice started howling, it might be."

That was his daughter...


'That amounts to work

I was hoping for an easy, visual method."

JESUS! And you say that I'm lazy!

[mtnbkr]

If your catalytic converter went out and only one indicator popped up, it's probably not a California car.  If twelve lights came on, two buzzers, a siren, and a mechanical sounding voice started howling, it might be.

The cat itself hasn't gone out, just the oxygen sensor.  Unfortunately, the socket the O2 sensor threads into is rusted to the point of worthless and JBWeld no longer works as a solution (it actually failed last winter).  Time to replace the Cat and the O2 sensor.  The CEL is only whining about the O2 sensor though.

Chris

[Azrael256]

Is the O2 sensor in the cat's assembly somewhere?  Unless it stinks of rotten eggs, it's usually not in need of replacement.  I seem to recall Nissan putting their O2 sensor right at the neck of the exhaust manifold (although I may be thinking of Toyota...  that was some time ago), and the cat is way down the pipe toward the rear.

[mtnbkr]

There are two O2 sensors, one at the manifold and one in the cat.  No rotten egg smell that I've noticed, but the rear O2 sensor is tripping the CEL and the O2 bung in the cat is rusted out.  That's why I had JBWeld holding the O2 sensor in place.  It worked for about 8 months.  

Chris

[Azrael256]

Clearly, you did not use enough JBWeld.  Apply a thicker coat this time

[bratch]

Just cut the Cats off.  Damn the Greenies

[mtnbkr]

Clearly, you did not use enough JBWeld.  Apply a thicker coat this time

Well, it's holding now, but that's when the CEL came on.  I think the JBWeld damaged the O2 sensor.  

Just cut the Cats off.  Damn the Greenies

Can't do that, we have emissions inspections/tests every two years here.

Chris

[richyoung]

uh - have a new bung welded into the cat?

[mtnbkr]

uh - have a new bung welded into the cat?

I thought about that, but I'm concerned about two things:  1) additional rust inside the cat and 2) damaged cat from driving around with a marginal or dead O2 sensor.

Maybe I'll remove the Cat first and make sure it's OK before I buy a new one.  I'll have to remove it one way or another anyway.

Chris

[grampster]

Car's'r like guns.  You gotta buy a new one once in awhile.

[mtnbkr]

Car's'r like guns.  You gotta buy a new one once in awhile.

I know and I plan to replace this one next year.  

It's the biggest POS I've ever seen.  I bought it nearly 3 years ago with only 79k miles on the odometer.  It looked fine physically, ran well, and had the service records.  The spark plugs indicated no obvious combustion chamber problems (nor did the ones I changed a couple months ago).  It was a single owner car.  I paid cash and was on my way.

Since then, the radiator has failed, the water pump is leaking, it's leaking oil from the front main seal, the AC condensor spontaneously sprung a leak right as the weather turned cool this year (thankfully!), the cat's O2 bung has rusted out, and the airbag sensor failed (I fixed that by pulling the airbag fuse and removing the idiot light's bulb).

The car still has fewer than 100k miles.

I'll never own another Nissan.  I'm sticking with Toyota from now on.  Of the two I've had so far, both have been reliable and tough.

Chris

[bratch]

I was just giving you hell I'd never suggest something that wasn't enviromentally safe and approved by the state;)

[mtnbkr]

I was just giving you hell I'd never suggest something that wasn't enviromentally safe and approved by the state;)

Of course.

Chris

[Guest]

bi-yearly inspection.... you just gota know how to beat the system.

drop the entire exhaust system,  run straight pipe.  preferably dual.  next, remove whatever puny, wimpy little econo engine is in there now, and replace with a smallblock chevy crate motor of your choice.  i recomend this one -



couple of bolts, roll of ductape,  JB weld and yer done.  no more caddilac converter, no more O2 sensors ( or, sensors of any kind for that matter).  

no more E-check,  now it has collector vehicle status.




Then,  go pull up next to a Prius and powerbreak that puppy  

[mtnbkr]

As enticing as that is, and I know a guy who could build me a monster of a small block chevy engine, I need the fuel economy of the jap 4cyl.

Chris

[bratch]

Fuel economy is highly overrated. Ditch the small block. Go big or go home.

[Antibubba]

Turn on the car, then set the brake.  Get out and walk back to the tailpipe.  If you can smell patchouli mixed into the exhaust fumes, then it is California compliant!  

[Guest]

bratch-

heheheh

That sounds like a challenge..  i just need a mid 90's jap sedan to try it one.  i've actually got a 396 on a stand in the barn thats just collecting dust..  sounds monster garage - ish