Hey everyone, new member and new si owner here. I recently owned a 1996 Nissan 240sx and loved her to death but just wasn't very happy with the reliability or build quality. So I sold it and just today bought a 2000 SI with some basic bolt-ons. I am in love. It is so much tighter, smoother, better behaved, and more comfrotable than the 240. I love it so far. So anyway, I have a few questions. On My SI, i have an rsr exhaust and edelbrock 4-2-1 header. It also has a random tecnologies high flow cat. That cat keeps making the check engine light come on and I was wondering what I can do to fix that problem. I need to check the o2 sensor i guess, but what else? Also, the car has 97k on her. What is the normal time to replace the timing belt? I was told by my dealer to have it done asap, but i wanted other opinions. Previous owner claimed that the guy before him changed it at 30K, not sure of the truth on this. Thanks for all the help, love the site thus far!

 

Timing belt should be changed every 60,000 miles so even if it was done at 30k it's time to do it again.

 

timing belt should be done between 90k and 105k, make sure you do the water pump also. not sure why he would change it at 30k? about the cat, check the code to see if it's the o2 sensors or the cat.

 

its the cel code for the cat...

 

What is the exact code it is throwing? Is it P0420? If so then you'll need a new catalytic converter more then likely.

There was no reason for the belt to be changed at 30K. The recommended interval is 105K. Unless you drive regularly in temps above 110F or below -20F. The spark plugs are also changed at 105K as well on the Si because they are platinum. You should also do the water pump and drive belts as well and check the seals (cam, crank etc...) as well as the tensioner.

 

yessir, it is code 420. So i should change to a stock cat to get the light off? I'll probably go ahead and change the belt soon, and look into all the other stuff you mentioned. Thanks for all the help!

 

Change that belt fast. The last thing you want is that thing snapping and causing havoc to your head. A 240 being unreliable? Those things are damn near bulletproof. Maybe you trashed it or the previous owner thought he was a "mad tyt3 drifter."

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by grilledcheese33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So i should change to a stock cat to get the light off?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I use to own a '99 Si and I had no issues with my Hy Tech/Carsound 94006/Skunk2 or Hy Tech/Hy Tech(Renault)/Skunk2 set-up. Although I know other people with Random Techs with out issues.

The problem is usually aftermarket cats don't last very long. The reason being is because people add a header, higher flowing cat and exhaust and do not tune the car. The car in turn runs rich and deteriorates the catalyst quicker.

 

Ok so I guess I need to contact the previous owner and find out how long it has been on there. I'll go from there. Would you recomend a stock cat or going w/ another high flow?


Quickshot, my 240 started everyday. The engine was in fact bulletproof, but the car wasn't. I replaced a ton of stuff and was just ready to move on to something that i didn't have to work on that often.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by grilledcheese33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok so I guess I need to contact the previous owner and find out how long it has been on there. I'll go from there. Would you recomend a stock cat or going w/ another high flow?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well the problem with an OEM cat is the fact that a brand new one is a grand for an EM1. Buying used cats from a salvage yard is illegal and they won't sell them too you. Most shops get mega bucks for old cat cores, so they tend to not sell them to you either.

Your best bet is either a aftermarket stock replacement from a parts store, like a rebuilt one or aftermarket ones like Carsounds are so cheap you might as well go for it.

 

ok, i'll call around to local parts stores for pricing, Once again, thanks for all the help!

 

i dunno about the check engine light problem

but at what mileage your at you probably should change your timing belt and your water pump, if the timing belt snaps it could cause serious damage to your motor resulting in a lot of money to repair it or you'll have to buy a new motor

 

On the timimg belt i would change it asap before it breaks on you while driving and then something serious happens,

On the check engine light try purchasing a new 02 sensor and check wiring to make sure all connections are secure.

 

thanks guys! Timing belt to be done asap. Just gotta figure out where i'm gonna get it done.

Hey hereticsi, i can't use IM since i'm a newb, but yes i'm interested. Shoot me an e-mail about the cat to grilledcheese33@yahoo.com

Thanks!