So I have been driving my lovely little maxima for about a month now and there are a few things that are bugging me.

1. When I first start my maxima and it's cold it runs awesome. The way it should run. But after about say 10 minutes (once it warms up) it becomes slugish. There is a delay in acceleration like its struggling. During acceleration while holding the gas pedal in the same position you can feel it pulsing like it has power then less then more then less etc... When it is cold it does not do this.

2. When I got the car the fuel pump squeeled like it was dieing. It would screech when I first turned the key to the on positions without actually starting it (this would be the fuel pump presurizing the system) then once I started it, it would screech for about a couple minutes till the car warmed up. And then it would sometimes randomly make noises while driving. So I did what anyone would do. I replaced it. And it didnt fix the problem at all. It still screeches exactly like the old one. I am starting to think that this might be causing problem 1. I am going to check the fuel presure soon.

3. With 216 thousands miles on it should I just assume that the adjustable shock stiffness or whatever its called does not work? How would I know if it is working properly?

4. I got some focal f5 17" rims from my buddy on the cheap. Certain websites state that they are compatible with my car. Now I know the rims will fit on the car but I want to know if these are going to work right with the car. Does anyone have any experience with these rims on the second gen maxis?

5. My grill is cracked and I do not want to buy a regular one to replace it. I want to put a black metal mesh piece there instead. Any suggestions?

6. How hard is it to replace the valve cover gaskets?

7. My steering wheel is **** eyed. When driving the car straight I have to hold the wheel a little to the right. It also seems like it is slowly leaking power steering fluid somewhere under the car. Also when turning to the left I feel some feedback from the power steering. What is most likely causing these problems?

8. I remember hearing that jdm engines are fairly cheap for this car. Where should I look to get one?

This is my first car (that actually works) and I have a lot of questions. Thank you for helping me out.

 

this is in reference to question number 5. Which part of the grill is cracked? If it is the center part, then you can just cut some of those plastic bars, leaving the 2 thin ones in tact. Then you cut the mesh to fit and screw the mesh onto the grill. Thats what I did, sorry no pics

 

http://www.myspace.com/bongxtravaganja Thats my myspace and it has a pic of my car. You can see the grill in that pic. Anyway that sounds like a pretty good idea. Where did you get the mesh for yours?

 

for question number 7 you might wanna change the ower steering fluid to dextron 3 tranny fluid, i was told that powersteering fluid is too thin, if that dosent work then you might have to replace the power steering hose. Without a air drill and a 22-26 mm socket (cant remember what one it was) itl be a real byiotchh to do did mine and took me 6 hours...

as for question nimber 3 mines works and i have 20xxxx miles might be your switch.

BTW i have a trunk switch for sale 10 bucks shipped

 

I got it from summitracing.com, Its an autotecnica universal mesh grill insert and it was 47 inches long by 8 inches wide(i think). I think it cost me like $20 or something like that. I got mine black.

 

How did you know mine was broken? Anyway this may sound a little pathetic but I am to strapped on cash to buy that switch but maybe in a couple of weeks we could work something out. The switch still wont fix my problem with the trunk cause when I cross the wires it makes the noise on the trunk but it still wont open. Also the key will only open the trunk ever 1 or 200 tries. So for now I have rigged a string to the little metal trunk opener that is in the trunk. I looped it around the trunk hinge then through the back seats and voila, the most ghetto trunk opening device ever was born. My friends laugh but at least I can open the damn thing.

 

haha thats funny... ill send you a pm

 

My fuel pump has been making that loud almost buzzing noise 24/7 when you drive the car... Well i havent driven it in almost 3 weeks but when i use to drive it , It made that same noise your talking about , Maybe the fuel pump is going out???

Do they have a performance pump for the 88 max , I know they have the walbros but i dont know if it would fit a 88?

 

So I have been driving my lovely little maxima for about a month now and there are a few things that are bugging me.

1. When I first start my maxima and it's cold it runs awesome. The way it should run. But after about say 10 minutes (once it warms up) it becomes slugish. There is a delay in acceleration like its struggling. During acceleration while holding the gas pedal in the same position you can feel it pulsing like it has power then less then more then less etc... When it is cold it does not do this.
Dont exactly know what this on is but you may have a vacuum leak.

2. When I got the car the fuel pump squeeled like it was dieing. It would screech when I first turned the key to the on positions without actually starting it (this would be the fuel pump presurizing the system) then once I started it, it would screech for about a couple minutes till the car warmed up. And then it would sometimes randomly make noises while driving. So I did what anyone would do. I replaced it. And it didnt fix the problem at all. It still screeches exactly like the old one. I am starting to think that this might be causing problem 1. I am going to check the fuel presure soon.

3. With 216 thousands miles on it should I just assume that the adjustable shock stiffness or whatever its called does not work? How would I know if it is working properly?

If the plug for you adjustable struts is still hooked up in the trunk, and the "s,n,f" light is not flashing then they should be working. The "s,n,f" light will flash when they are not working.
4. I got some focal f5 17" rims from my buddy on the cheap. Certain websites state that they are compatible with my car. Now I know the rims will fit on the car but I want to know if these are going to work right with the car. Does anyone have any experience with these rims on the second gen maxis?

Pics of the wheels would help, I don't know what that wheel looks like. As long as the are 4x114.3 with an offset close to 40mm then they should fit. Then its up to you whether or not you like them

5. My grill is cracked and I do not want to buy a regular one to replace it. I want to put a black metal mesh piece there instead. Any suggestions?

6. How hard is it to replace the valve cover gaskets?

It's actually very easy (bolts and hoses), its even easy to get them back one off with out really taking anything off other than the bolts and that hose on top of it.

7. My steering wheel is **** eyed. When driving the car straight I have to hold the wheel a little to the right. It also seems like it is slowly leaking power steering fluid somewhere under the car. Also when turning to the left I feel some feedback from the power steering. What is most likely causing these problems?

make sure you fluid level is fine. Also check the belt tension. If the belt slips, you will feel "feedback" As for the wheel being **** eyed just have it fixed next time your car gets alligned. You rack just needs to be centered (its part of a regular alignement, just tell them to straighten your steering wheel)
8. I remember hearing that jdm engines are fairly cheap for this car. Where should I look to get one?
you may be thinking of the VE30 (third gen SE motor), I don't know of anyone who has put in a JDM VG30 FWD engine in there second gen. What's wrong with the U.S. one?

This is my first car (that actually works) and I have a lot of questions. Thank you for helping me out.