[smackc4]

Does anyone know of a way to definitively tell if CAT Convertor is blocked, (in situ) - short of physically looking into it?

...I've had a lack of output on the cars lhs exhaust VS it's right and its been running less than its optimum I KNOW that it has, for a few months or so (happened suddenly)

When I was almost where I was going the other day, suddenly it ran with a **** of a loss of oomph!

MAYBE its just a sensor (hopefully) but no fault light has come on at all. Am waiting (now even more anxiously) on a little OBD2 reader, that someone on this forum verifies works with his Z of the same year (2003). Its coming from the USA - The ones I've asked about here in Australia, say not compatible with earlier than 2005 models, as even tho it HAS the correct port, it's not 'OBD2 compliant' according to any sticker anywhere...

Also: Very often I get a really bad almost plastic, but not quite, unusual STRONG smell inside the cabin too - NO idea wtf that is. I thought maybe aircon hoses with bacteria build up, but even after cleaning them with Glen20, it comes back.

IF it turns out to be the cat/s, I'd financially be better off I assume, getting a complete sports system wouldn't I?

Anyone recommend a system (obviously with free flow cats?) that won't see me selling the house to pay for it??

 

[dkmura]

The first thing to answer is you might be able to determine if a cat is bad through the use of a CONSULT III diagnostic system at the dealer. It may be able to diagnose more precisely what's going on with your loss of power. Outside that, pulling the cat and having it tested is the next best avenue.

One question to ask is, does Brisbane have emissions testing in place? Are cats mandatory in Oz and are test pipes an option?

 

[smackc4]

The first thing to answer is you might be able to determine if a cat is bad through the use of a CONSULT III diagnostic system at the dealer. It may be able to diagnose more precisely what's going on with your loss of power. Outside that, pulling the cat and having it tested is the next best avenue.

One question to ask is, does Brisbane have emissions testing in place? Are cats mandatory in Oz and are test pipes an option?

So, you think just bite the bullet and go to a Nissan dealer and don'y bother with anyone else?

I was hoping, when it arrives soon, that the little DIY reader may come up with a code...
I wasn't sure that a bad CAT would even come up with a code.

No; we (in fact nowhere in Australia as far as I know) don't have yearly emissions testing (YET at least, thank goodness, so don't give them any ideas!!). But they (police? or dept. of transport) CAN check if they want to be nasty, although I don't think they carry the gear by default.

 

[dkmura]

A skilled tech with a CONSULT III has access to far more info than any of us do. While your code reader might show some codes, you don't have access to the diagnostic trees and the experience to interpret them. Select a good tech with factory training on the Z33; don't be afraid to ask questions of the service director if you can't find the info anywhere else.

BTW- it's not hard to check for cats vs. test pipes, it's easy to roll under and look under the undercarriage to spot them.

 

[smackc4]

...That's assuming I can even FIND "a good tech with factory training on the Z33"

I suspect you guys in the states are more spoiled than us, with having multiple word of mouth good techs (mechanics in old speak) - From my experiences with cars (especially corvettes, which I thought can be problematical enough!) any car that's not a run of the mill dirt common car (the ones that sell millions a year), its harder to find...

So do you guys (& I'll LISTEN to you folk!) say go to nissan FIRST, rather than an exhaust place, for the CORRECT diagnosis?

Cheers

 

[smackc4]

PS; ..Mines always had a bad exhaust sound since I got it last xmas time (with 180,000kms on it); not talking about the note from the tailpipe; just something 'uncool' sounding about it...I DO notice since the sudden EXTRA loss of power the other day, that the sound changed and it was louder, or a more concentrated sound volume UNDER the floor where the cats are...

Definitely sounding like the cause!!??

 

[dkmura]

In a situation like yours, the first thing I always do is jack the car up, support it with jackstands and visually inspect it myself! Take your time and you can spot any problems right away BEFORE taking it to anybody else.


As for the dealer, what I'm saying is take the time to interview your local service department before just committing any work. It takes awhile, but I can usually find an experienced tech who has received specialized training on the Z and is interested in doing the work. I might be a big PITA--asking all these questions--but it helps to have a performance background to ask the questions and gain interest. How far away is the closest Nissan dealer?

 

[smackc4]

I've BEEN under there, recently, at an exhaust place when I got them to check for leaks - they found nothing untoward. Mind you; they WERE only looking for a leak...

The closest Nissan dealer is within 10 miles from home, two actually.

Actually; as of last night my time, Looks like I have a great solution; a friend put me onto a guy he uses for his jap car - specialises in jap performance vehicles - Prices are fair he says and the guy is a guru with them...I'll book it in and he can sort it all out!

If it needs work, there's a dyno nearby.

* I'm still even entertaining the idea that it could JUST be a sensor, as when the other mechanic forgot to plug the one in the exhaust back in, it ran poorly (duh!) and went back to good when plugged back in; but the other day things definitely got considerably more down on oomph, so, maybe not...