E51 The E51 Catalytic Converter Problem

[AndyB]

yes, the reason is ease of access and the fact rear cats are only there to help emissions on cold start up.

Rear cats can be removed and replaced in 40mins, front cats may need sub frame dropping at cost of several hundred, if you can find someone local to do it.

Thank you Chris, I have spoken to my usual garage and they are happy to decor the rear cats so this looks like the way to go

 

[Pixelpoker]

Hi Guys,

I just got rid of my E51 Rider and got myself a E52 2010, Does anybody know if this cat issue affects the E52 aswell? I havent had a look underneath yet to see if it has the quad cats but assuming it does, is this a problem too? I had it removed on my E51.

Also anyone know where therre is a specialist garage who does undersealing in the south east? Cheers

Under seal- southcoast workshop in emsworth did mine

Understand.
Decored mine as the first job 2 years ago.
But I'm now wondering if the fact that the rears have been dealt with by most people is giving a feel good factor but is hiding the fact that the front cats are still a consumable and that this is being overlooked by everyone?
Any evidence from replaced front cats out there?
Photos of damage/mileage?
Maybe with evidence we can build up a picture of expected lifetime to failure.
Also - obviously front face of front cats will be first to breakdown.
When this happens the big bits can't go through the honeycomb so will stay in front of the front cat (this is the danger).
Any dust/small particles will exit through the honeycomb of the first cat then through the decored rear.
Happy days.
So I'm seeing the problem of engine failure caused by front cat failure is still very possible even with decored rears.
All of a sudden a front de-core is looking attractive.

Yep. that's why I’ve opted to get rid of everything and go with a new custom exhaust- no front cats , sports cats before a new straight through centre box and keep the rider back pipes and box. Not gonna be cheap tho

Thing that decided it for me was seeing the layout of the centre box and it’s piss poor flow rate and places for debris to get caught up - see this post by @Elementian

https://forum.elgrandoc.uk/threads/centre-silencer-autopsy.15273/

 

[kfgas]

A couple of weeks ago I took delivery of my Elgrand Rider that I have self imported which is currently in my local garage having various upgrades so not really being driven.

One of the upgrades that they are fitting are decored rear cats that I have bought from @Winchester.

I have been in contact with Nissan in Japan regarding getting the recall that I knew was outstanding done. (3 earlier ones have already been done)

Below is the reply that I have received so looks to be all in order for the recall work to be done.

This is in reply to your email dated June 19, 2019, concerning your Nissan Elgrand. First of all, thank you for your patronage of our products. We apologize for your concern regarding a recall.

With regard to your inquiry, we regret to inform you that your vehicle with the chassis number NE51-055600 is involved in one recall R-473.

http://www.Nissan.co.jp/RECALL/DATA/report3225.html

Would you please provide us with the following information so that our related department in Japan will contact Nissan Europe and ask them to relay the matter to Nissan representative in UK?

1. Your phone number
2. Your postal address
3. Name of a Nissan dealer you will contact

We are looking forward to your reply.


Sincerely yours,


Chikako TAGUCHI
Customer Communication Center
Nissan MOTOR Co., LTD.

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Our related department in Japan will provide Nissan Europe with your contact information. A representative from Nissan Motor GB Ltd should be contacting you to handle the matter.

We regret to say that it will take at least one month to have the preparation and parts ready. We appreciate your understanding and patience.


Sincerely yours,


Chikako TAGUCHI
Customer Communication Center
Nissan MOTOR Co., LTD.

Below is the work that they will be doing.

​

[TD]Recall start date[/TD]
[TD]September 13, 2013[/TD​

http://www.Nissan.co.jp/RECALL/IMAGES/pix.gif

Status of structure, equipment or performance recognized as being in non-standard condition and its causes Due to an inappropriate program of the engine control computer, the amount of intake air of the engine may be insufficient at the time of deceleration due to acceleration from high engine speed, fuel is discharged without being burned in the engine, and exhaust gas purification By burning with the catalyst, the internal temperature of the catalyst may become high and the catalyst may be damaged. As a result, broken catalyst fragments may cause abnormal noise, and if the rear catalyst is clogged, acceleration failure may occur, and in the worst case, engine stalling may occur after engine failure. Details of improvement In addition to correcting the engine control program to the countermeasure specification, check the catalyst damage condition, and if there is an abnormality, replace the catalyst (4 pieces) with a new one.

From this it looks like they will be reprogramming the ecu which I am aware is not the main issue but they will also be checking all 4 cats and say that any that are damaged will be replaced.

Now from what I have read on here it seems that it is virtually guaranteed that the front cats will have started to break up and in future will need replacing in some way to pass mot emissions test

I still intend fitting the decored rear cats and will be pushing Nissan UK to change the front cats.

Would be interested in knowing if anyone has managed to get this done on recall as I am aware that it is a major job to change and they may not want to do the work.

Will keep this thread updated with how I get on with the recall and whether I am able to get Nissan to change the front cats.

Whilst I know that this will not cure any damage that may have already been done to the engine with any debris from the front cats getting back into the engine it at least should stop any more damage in the future.

The contact e-mail address for Nissan in Japan to check for recalls is postoffice@Nissan.co.jp and they replied to me within a matter of hours.

It seems that just decoring the rear cats may not be enough and the more precautions that can be taken the better.

 

[LeStempy]

Hi Guys,

Also anyone know where therre is a specialist garage who does undersealing in the south east? Cheers

South Coast Workshop did mine too.

 

[Snoo]

@kfgas keep us up to date. I'm wondering what would happen if I were to get the recall done, but my rear cats are decored.

 

[Pixelpoker]

Picking mine up today from powerflow in southampton. I had the whole exhaust system ripped out, new front spots cats (metal cores) fitted slightly back from the original fronts (ill explain in another post), new centre box and keeping the fujibutsu back box and pipes that are on my rider.

I'll try and post some pics over the weekend if i get the chance.

 

[Pixelpoker]

Just picked it up- fuk me it sounds so different!

Sound wise- a nice deep rumble with a tasty , raspy note when you get up to 2000 rippems

Might take a bit of getting used tho and Powerflow offered to swap it out FOC if it gets to much. There is a noticeable drone so we’ll see. On a scale of 0-10, 0 being a normal Elgrand, 10 being a full straight thu job this is around a 3.

At the airport waiting for a flight so I’ll try and grab a vid of the sound and post when I land

Side note: after chatting to them when I dropped it off these are the chaps that make @Winchesters systems so they know elgrands

 

[Andyzz]

All we want to know is has it improved the performance and fuel economy or is it

 

[Pixelpoker]

Only done about 5 miles in it, but it felt like was driving a v12

 

[Andyzz]

Brilliant so it’s worth doing on the 5 miles

 

[LeStempy]

Well it will sound faster if nothing else.

 

[Pixelpoker]

Yeah, it sounds like I’ve spent 1000’s on the engine

 

[Andyzz]

Pixelpoker
Meant to ask you when you had the front cats done did you use 400 cell or 200 cell do you know. Thanks Andy

 

[Pixelpoker]

I left all the paper work in my van, but I think it was 200 as 400 is usually what manufacturers use

 

[Pixelpoker]

I’m back tomorrow in the uk so I’ll have a look and reply here

 

[Andyzz]

Brilliant thanks again Andy

 

[korkythekat]

Stick a k and n air filter in and it sounds even better

 

[dognero]

Safe trip and cant wait for the sounds

 

[kfgas]

@kfgas keep us up to date. I'm wondering what would happen if I were to get the recall done, but my rear cats are decored.

Will do, decored rear cats being fitted next Tuesday then will just have to wait for Nissan UK to make contact.

 

[Estelle]

Is there an easy way to tell if the cats have been decored? Will there be a weld on the top of the cats that you can feel with a finger for example? I'm not sure if ours have been done or not so would like to find out.