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My 2007 Xterra had the P0420 code pop on. My understanding is that it most likely that the Catalytic converter is going out. If this is the case, how high of a priority is it to fix?

Before you answer, let me give you some insight. The truck is used for about 12 miles a day to go to work and then maybe running around town on the weekends. It has around 180k miles on it and we are looking to replace it around August. We obviously don't want to sink money into a truck that won't be around too many more months, but at the same time, we don't want to create a bigger problem for us.

I appreciate any thoughts on this.

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I say "no".

Do you live in a place that requires an emissions (no CEL check-engine light) inspection? And would you need same by August?

P0420 is what is referred to a "Catalytic Converter Efficiency". It is basically referring to how well the catalyst is converting hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and NOX.

The P0420 code can be caused by a whole bunch of things, including a failing converter. If that's the original at 180K, this is probably way past it's prime. It could also be a failing downstream "secondary" or "post-cat" oxygen sensor ... which tend to last less mileage than the catalyst they monitor.

However, some long highway runs (>30 miles) might clear it out a bit.

If it were me, I would clear (or have your local auto parts store) clear the P0420 code, and see how long it takes (or even if) it comes back. Twelve miles a day (especially if that's 2 six mile trips) is not sufficient heat to get that thing catalyzing. It's basically a furnace, which uses the unburned hydrocarbons (gasoline) along with something called SOC "Stored Oxygen Capacity" to further burn and convert everything HC/CO/NOX into water and CO2. Hence the term "three-way catalyst". But, it needs some time and heat to really get pumping, and get everything back in balance, and clear any smorf, dreck, and crud (highly technical) off of the honeycomb matrix of platinum and rubidium and expensonium. A really hot hard run can do wonder in restoring catalytic converter efficiency. They also sell magic snake-oil elixers you add to the gas tank that claim to hurry this process, but I can't confirm if any or all of them do any good. My uncle said a quart of transmission fluid and a pint of moonshine, but I can't confirm that either. Seems like a total waste of two good drinks... (actually, that's a joke. Don't do that. The drinking part. Or the gas tank additive part.)

There are no performance or wear or reliability issues with a P0420 or any other catalyst failure. Your vehicle will run fine. You may be producing emissions (pollution) that is out of specification. Such a thing is for your morality/cost ratio to judge; certainly not mine. There are several "Kitty went bye-bye" vehicles in my fleet, but they are honestly used off-road only (race cars).

So... that's a lot of wind from the old man, but I think the first thing you should do is get the code cleared and take her out for dinner a few highway counties away.

There's no problem whatsoever in driving it until August, in fact August 2020 or more. You can't "hurt" it more. Having no CEL may improve resale value - although in my never-humble opinion a vehicle like that needs to be driven right into the ground. It doesn't owe you much and if you decide not to replace the cat, it won't cost you much either. The Xterras (Xterrae? I don't know the plural) I've worked on over the years have been super-solid and reliable. If I had one I wouldn't part with it until it neeeded a trans, engine, or the driver's seat fell through the floor!

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  • The advice of the "Italian service" is probably spot on in this case :) ie the "long highway runs" or climb a long hill with a load making the engine work hard...
    – Solar Mike
    Commented Jan 17, 2018 at 7:18
  • Quick note that some auto parts stores will read codes but they are not supposed to clear codes based on their company policy, so that might be hit or miss. Don't argue with them if they say they can't clear the codes.
    – JPhi1618
    Commented Jan 17, 2018 at 15:32
  • You say that performance won't be hurt, but is it possible that the vehicle goes into limp mode or reduces performance in order to reduce emissions, if it detects that the cat isn't working properly?
    – Bart
    Commented Jan 17, 2018 at 19:58
  • @Bart There’s no car that comes to mind that does this.
    – Ben
    Commented Jan 17, 2018 at 23:21
  • @Bart The only "limp" things that exist as you describe are flashing CEL codes, usually associated with a constant missfire... and specifically designed to prevent damage to ... (you might guess) the catalytic converter from raw gasoline!
    – SteveRacer
    Commented Jan 18, 2018 at 4:59

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