hi, first off since this is my first post id like to introduce myself my name is Roband im from Washington state, most of my automotive knowledge is in toyota trucks but i just bought an 87 maxima from a friend for $200 bucks. the car is in pretty good shape for being so cheap, a few dings but not bad and a moldy smelly interior. ill post some pics if anyone wants to see them. it does have a problem when cold, it doesnt want to run, the idle will fluctuate up and down and rise slowly as it warms up, but it always fluctuate and has a slight miss, but after it has risen to full temp everything smooths out for the most part, the fluctuation in rpm drops only by a hundred rpm or so instead of a thousand, it could just be in need of a tune-up since its been sitting for a while but if anyone has any ideas of what to check besides the basic plugs, wires cap rotor fuel filter air filter etc. id like to hear them. also the sun roof only goes halfway back then seems to bind up. how hard is it to change a clutch out on one of these things, ive done them on toyota trucks but those sit alot higher and you have alot more room to work. this engine also has 180k on it, how long do these engines (its a v6) last. oh and what are the main things that usually give out on these cars, common problems.well thats it for now, im sure ill have a bunch more questions once i get started working on this thing any help that you guys and gals can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Rob. I also have an '87 maxima. Paid $500 for mine. I have 250k+ and runs great. Like 80land said, the fuel injectors for this year car are under recall. I had mine done a month ago. They replaced all the fuel injectors, fuel rail, hoses, filter, etc. at no cost, parts or labor. Call your local dealership. That's where i would start. As for your sunroof, run it forward and check the track for any debris that way be binding the path going back. May just need greased.
Mine's sitting right now, waiting for a solenoid to come in. Dunno, if that will solve my no start situation or not. May be anti theft activated...
Good luck on your car, you made a good choice.

 

sounds like you may need an Aux. Air Valve....check out the stickies that is a common problem with our cars. It will cause you to have problems on cold starts. Its also know as an Air Bypass Valve.

 

Also www.partamillion.com has AAV's for around $75 new. Cool part is they have a warehouse up here in Lynnwood, so shipping will be very quick (most likely next day). Spend over $100 there, and I believe shipping is free.

For the sunroof, what'd I check is to see if the mounting bolts for the motor have work thier way loose. That could be causing your binding. Basically where the control switch is, and the reading lights are, if you pop that off, you can get to the motor.

As for the longetivity of these motor......one of the longest lasting V6's you'll find. My car is pushin 211k before I broke my timing belt on start up (when 90k on that belt. DOH!)....but I most likely went unscaved.

S

 

hey thanks for all the info, ill check with nissan tomorrow, and yeah i saw the air valve thing right after i posted. i thought id post a pic of my awseome beast.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...b.jpg.orig.jpg

i really like the yellow go fast stripes on the rockers.

 

Hmmm Im seeing a red x

 

well it worked when i posted it, maybe it will come back.

 

I got 225K miles on mine and going strong... Replaced injectors and rails last summer

 

You're gonna have to host your pics else where. Both the link and the image link you posted are bad. Probably because you have to be a member or part of image station to view it. You might try using car domain.

S

 

hmm thats odd i can post pics in other forums.

 

Ah it's working now.

IS that yellow on the underside? Paint peel down to primer? The car looks familiar.



S

 

yeah whoever had it before my buddy must have painted those on, everyone knows yellow = fast.

 

still does not work for me....can you just post it on the thread?