2002 Nissan Altima Just had my mass air flow meter changed

Tiny
ROBRAISE
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
Ok about a month ago I went to start my car and the smell of gas was very rich. To the point where I could not drive it because it stalled as soon as I took my foot off of the gas. Well I had the mass air flow meter replaced. A couple of days later my check engine light went on P0420 which means converter is less than threshold. Do you think that the cat convt. Is clogged, or can it just be an o2 sensor, or I do you think im going to need a whole new exhaust system? Please help this is getting very expensive. P.S. I have been using better gas I went from using 87 to 92 since the prices have dropped thinking the car would run better.
Monday, November 17th, 2008 AT 4:12 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The oxygen sensor could be locked-up in the open loop mode not switching to closed loop. Also the coolant temperature sensor will do the same-

If the your converter is plugged, it will create a restriction in your exhaust system. The buildup of backpressure will cause a drastic drop in engine performance and fuel economy, and may even cause the engine to stall after it starts if the blockage is severe.

The easiest test for converter plugging is done with a vacuum gauge. Connect the gauge to a source of intake vacuum on the intake manifold, carburetor or throttle body. Note the reading at idle, then raise and hold engine speed at 2,500. The needle will drop when you first open the throttle, but should then rise and stabilize. If the vacuum reading starts to drop, pressure may be backing up in the exhaust system.

You can also try to measure backpressure directly. If your engine has air injection, disconnect the check valve from the distribution manifold, and connect a low pressure gauge. Or, remove the oxygen sensor and take your reading at its hole in the manifold or headpipe. Refer to the backpressure specs for the application. Generally speaking, more than 1.25 psi of backpressure at idle, or more than 3 psi at 2,000 rpm tells you there's an exhaust restriction.

If there appears to be an exhaust restriction, disconnect the exhaust pipe just aft of the converter to relieve pressure and recheck the readings. CAUTION: The pipes will be hot so wait awhile for things to cool down. If vacuum goes up and/or backpressure drops, the problem isn't not a plugged converter but a plugged muffler or collapsed pipe. If there's little or no change in readings, the converter is plugged.
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Monday, November 17th, 2008 AT 4:30 PM

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