P0431 - Check Engine Code

[Schmo]

Schmo,

I have about 8K miles left on my Nissan truck warranty and I've been thinking about buying an extended warranty - 100k mi plus coverage. Can you recommend Fidelity?

Anyone else have any experience with extended warranties? Over 100K miles?

Hey Roger,

I can't really recommend Fidelity, nor can I really throw them under the bus at this point. My Jeep just fell out of the Factory Warranty about 4K ago, and this was the first time I had to deal with them and they denied the claim. Here's how it went down . . . my Cat was covered by the Special Emissions coverage which is 80K or 8 years so the Factory not only covered the Cat, but they waived the diagnosis fee as the Warrantied part was the culprit. The Special Warranty does not cover the O2 sensor however so the dealership tried to get Fidelity to cover it but they told them and me that the Cat failing probably damaged the O2 sensor therefore they wouldn't cover it and put it back on the factory saying if they cover one, they should cover the other. At the end of the day, I walked out with a brand new Cat and O2 sensor and no pesky engine light for 65 bucks so I was pretty happy, but this excitement had nothing to do with Fidelity. What I don't like is you can't just take your Jeep to a well known place, it has to be a Fidelity Certified place (ie: the dealership and not a place like Midas) and that certified place has to agree to work with Fidelity. I do like the peice of mind while I'm web wheeling and hear of a horror story like a engine failing, but don't know if I'd spend the $1500 again.

[Lawrence]

Roger,

It’s a Nissan not a Jeep, so you don’t need a warranty. I put 75K miles on my Taco before I sold it to a friend, I never had anything and he is happy as can be.

Seriously, I am not too hot on third party warranty, too many loopholes and ways for them to deny you. If you want one, why don’t you get an extended factory warranty? Most manufacturers offer them and have various levels of coverage. The best part is that every component is usually spelled out, so you know what is covered and what is not. Also, most manufacturers extended warranty are transferable should you resell the vehicle.

This is what I have on my TJ, a Chrysler 7yrs/110K extended warranty. The original owner bought it, it transferred to me when I purchased the TJ, and it covers pretty much anything (I went online to download the parts coverage).

BTW if you get one, negotiate on the price, they have huge margins on extended warranties.

[michael239]

I just didn't think about it and to be honest, I was happy just to hear that they would be addressing both in one visit and only charging me 75 bucks, as that was less than the diagnosis fee I was planning to pay up front. I've heard from others that often times the dealership will first replace the O2 sensor and then when the code comes back, they bite the bullet and replace the cat.

Had the same code about a month ago. Stealership told me small and med vaccum leak. Code came back, now they are telling me the O2 sensor is bad and needs to be replaced. Wanted $250 to replace O2 sensor. If code comes back again then they would replace the cat. Any advise what I should do and is it difficult to replace O2 sensor myself?

[OU812]

O2 sensor is EASY to replace. Sometimes they are hard to break loose. So if you go out the day before and soak it in PB Blaster or WD-40 you will have better luck. Make sure you know which one you need to replace.

[Schmo]

Had the same code about a month ago. Stealership told me small and med vaccum leak. Code came back, now they are telling me the O2 sensor is bad and needs to be replaced. Wanted $250 to replace O2 sensor. If code comes back again then they would replace the cat. Any advise what I should do and is it difficult to replace O2 sensor myself?

250 seems kinda high seeing that the dealership only charged me like 75 bucks when they did the CAT . . . I think that was just to cover the part an they threw it on when they replaced the cat. For the extra 175 bucks, I'd do it myself or at least check with a couple local shops and see how much they'd charge. Are you hearing any rattling in your exhaust or smelling a sulferish odor at all? If so, your CAT is probably shot.

[TJ Jake]

Well, my Jeep just threw the same code today. Britt and I noticed a sulfer smell last night and I've heard a rattling for quite some time now, but I thought it was the lifters. Looks like I'm dropping it off at the dealership tomorrow to try to get them replaced. My Jeep has 76K miles, only 4K left til the warranty is over, PHEW!

Anybody got any tips on dealing with the dealer? I don't want to pay the stupid high prices they charge for anything, so I hope they don't try to snake me with some hidden charges for the Cat. replacement.

[OU812]

When ever you go to a dealer, be friendly, and complain. Don't let any failure or mistake go unnoticed.

[Schmo]

Well, my Jeep just threw the same code today. Britt and I noticed a sulfer smell last night and I've heard a rattling for quite some time now, but I thought it was the lifters. Looks like I'm dropping it off at the dealership tomorrow to try to get them replaced. My Jeep has 76K miles, only 4K left til the warranty is over, PHEW!

Anybody got any tips on dealing with the dealer? I don't want to pay the stupid high prices they charge for anything, so I hope they don't try to snake me with some hidden charges for the Cat. replacement.

Be sure to mention to them the rattle and sulfer smell and emphasis that you want the CAT replaced. I've heard of some dealerships trying to just replace the O2 sensor first, before biting the bullet and replacing the CAT. You don't have time on your side with only 4K left on the emissions warranty, so politely push for the CAT to be done. In my case the CAT going bad had messed up the O2 sensor, but they only charged me for the O2 sensor and waived the diagnose fee and didn't charge me to install the O2 sensor, so I only paid like 70 bucks for everything. Good luck!

[Materdaddy]

Also, cats are warrantied for something like 100k and 7 years in CA. Last year we had a cat replaced on a 2002 Chevy Malibu that was long out of the standard warranty completely free.

[TJ Jake]

Alright thanks guys. Brits gonna be taking it to the dealership for me since I have work, so hopefully all goes well.

[Schmo]

Also, cats are warrantied for something like 100k and 7 years in CA. Last year we had a cat replaced on a 2002 Chevy Malibu that was long out of the standard warranty completely free.

I've always heard it's either 80K and 8yrs or 70K and 7yrs.

[Schmo]

Alright thanks guys. Brits gonna be taking it to the dealership for me since I have work, so hopefully all goes well.

I hope this doesn't offend . . . not intended to be a slam in anyway . . . but unfortunately women still have a hard time getting the same treatment as most men when they take a vehicle to get work done. I would at least place a call to the service writer that she deals with when she drops it off and talk to the service writer about the issues and emphasis the need for the CAT to be replaced. They're more likely to jerk Brit around than they are you if for no other reason due to you having more bass in your voice.

[Notstuckyet]

I'm not like most girls . it will get handled just fine

[Schmo]

After wheelin with you on Rowher . . . I'd agree!!! Hope to see you guys on another run soon. Hopefully we can hit up Miller in the near future.

[Notstuckyet]

Most definetely!
I called the ranger station and they're hoping 2nd week of June. Can't wait!