swampass2

The oil consumption is a result of the rear timing chain cover gasket failing on the VQ35DE. It's a fairly common issue, at least common enough to be mentioned in several forum threads across other sites. Problem is you have to replace the entire rear cover, which means a compete R & R of the timing system is recommended while you're at it.

Just to circle around on this, I still suspect cats may be bad or going, but the car is at the dealer now and parts have just been ordered to R&R the timing chain, guides, tensioners, TC covers etc. Had a fear with these P0011/P0021 codes that I had the blown TC cover gasket issue and think that it finally went kablamo after driving halfway across the country at highway speeds. All the signs were there, oil consumption without any noticeable leaks, throwing these 2 codes towards the end of oil life, and I had some definite whine from the timing chain case. Be in Nebraska for about a week more while this gets fixed (just ordered parts today)... Hopefully this will get me another 100K miles and it'll be worth the price ($2,100)

Long story with this but I've been getting the p0011 and p0021 codes on and off since I bought it. Replaced the ivt solenoids a while back and since then a simple oil change fixes the problem. On this trip the car went into limp mode with those codes. Oil change gave me another 60 miles before they come up again but with a cat efficiency code. Can't remember which bank that was for. Logged o2 sensor voltages it looks like my cats are shot but only code that keeps coming back is the p0011 now. No more cat codes. The more I get into it the more I'm afraid I have the timing chain gasket/oil pressure drop issue AND bad cats. Bit the bullet and took it to a dealer for diagnosis. Fingers crossed but if it's what I think it is I'm probably gonna junk the pathy and look for alternative ways to get the rest of the way across the country. Good times!

Has anyone replaced their own front cats? Mine are shot and are sending the pathy into limp mode and I'm stuck in Nebraska halfway through a cross country drive. Don't want to spend $1,200 to get them replaced. I have the service manual (which is useless for this) and took a look at them from underneath (looks like it could be a little tight getting to the manifold side bolts), but wondering if anyone has any pointers on things to look out for, or maybe a link to a write-up?