Dealer is BSing me P2A00 & P0420 codes
 

I have an 07 G35 Sedan with 40k miles and recently had a check engine light show the following codes.

The dealer told me the catalytic converters were cracked and need to be replaced for $3k due to a recent incident where I rear ended someone. Keep in mind the damage from the accident was a scuff on the front bumper and a quarter size dent on the top of the hood. No air bags went off and no other damage to the car.

I think that the pre-cats are breaking up (seems like this is somewhat common on the 3.5L motor, but I can't find much documentation or a TSB)

Any help, links, suggestions, from someone who has gone through this would be appreciated :7:

Never heard of any such thing as being a common problem on the 3.5L, could really be due to the accident depending on how hard the car got hit.

Wait around and someone might chime in with more helpful info but i doubt that this is a common issue on the HR's

G/L

btw you can buy new better aftermarket cats or used OEM cats from a few members here for < $500 and then have them installed for ~$100 through a personal mechanic.

Have the dealer put that crap in writing, then take that to your insurance company and have them pay for the repair (hopefully you already paid yor deductible from the first accident). That way, you'll have zero out of pocket cost.

Having said that, unless you really smacked the car in front of you and caused the motor to shift, it's highly unlikely your accident caused the cats to go bad

Have them show you the crack if you don't believe them. Cats should have a 80K mile/10 year warranty as per the EPA regulation.

I wouldn't replace with OEM. If you have to replace the cats, but aftermarket HFC. Cheaper and much better performance.

+1 on that... I'm just waiting for mine to show signs of needing replacement, and then it's game on :D

+1,000,000 that is the best way to pay for it... even if you are not insured by them anymore you will still be covered....

man i have had these codes for a several thousand miles now. IT WASNT MY CATS. they were mint condition when i pulled them off. I replaced them with GTM test pipes and i still have the 0420 code. I believe that one or more o2 sensors are bad.

But i have followed this on my350z and the dealerships cant diagnose their problems either. its a bunch of BS that has had me almost selling the car twice now.

check this out
http://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-d...-new-post.html

and this
http://my350z.com/forum/vq35hr/30787...-new-post.html

3k??? WHAAAAT?? HFC for 500 bucks... or the new ART Test pipes. Pick up 20 extra Midrange ponies with that :)

Whatever you do dont make another insurance claim. Especially for 3k.

They will def keep track of that stuff. Rates will rise even more than you have now.

I would go the aftermarket route if you believe the dealer. I would also check the O2 sensors like some one said before.

$3k is a joke. They wont use more than 3 wrenches to get your cats off and it should take them like 1.5 hours at the most.... Thats called mark up.

--Thanks for the links, I will have to subscribe to both threads and learn more about this issue

--This is exactly my thought. The deductible has been paid and when they sent the adjuster to look at the car they said that is was not even necessary for them to look under the car or to even raise the hood since the damage was so minimal. If the dealer can convince the insurance company to pay for the BS claim great! If not, the dealer will look stupid and probably be forced to cover the cats under the factory emissions warranty. Either way, there should be no more money out of pocket for me!

Thanks in advance to everyone who has responded so far, I will keep everyone updated b/c surely I will not be the last to have this issue.