Hi all,

This my first time to post here. We have a 1991 Maxima SE which we purchased new 10 years ago. The road salt during winter here in New England seem to have taken it's toll on the underside of the car. After starting the car and allowing it to warm up for a minute or two I hear a faint ticking sound when I drive off. This only lasts for a few seconds and goes away when the car has warmed up. If I allowed the car to fully warm up (5 minutes) this does not happen. On one of my regular LOF visits the Nissan tech noted on the service sheet "manifold-studs (both sides) $1000 - $1300" and stating that a big percentage of the cost is labor.

Questions:
1. Could someone explain to me what does the work entail?
1. The Nissan tech said this required around 10 hrs labor, is this true?
2. Is this a resonable for a Nissan dealership?
3. Are independents much, much cheaper?
4. Are there other alternatives?

Thanks to all in advance.

Brian

 

The first good thing to do is <A HREF="https://maxima.org/forums/search.phtml?query=manifold+stud&forumchoice=-1&booleanand=yes&searchin=all&searchdate=-1&searchuser=&searchdateline=&exactname=yes&action =dosearch&getdaily=&pagenum=">research</A>.

You're being lied to becasue they are trying to REPLACE your manifolds rather than fix/drill-out and replace just the studs. These manifolds are not known to warp, unlike what dealer-people will tell you. It hardly requires any more labor for them to replace the manifold, so they want to charge you for unnecessary new manifolds and make the boss's boat payment for the next month....The manifold studs ONLY need to be replaced and the ones from the 300ZX models should be used (which are 'stronger' than the stock ones used in Maximas). The studs MAY cost $30 total for all 6, but the labor will be several hundred.....Probably anything above $600 for the job is a rip-off....

 

I have an 89 SE. I had an independant guy replace my rear manifold stud and my timing belt, parts/ labor/ tax all under $400. But, I'm in Tennessee, the prices in my area seem to be the cheapest I've seen on this board. Just to let you know, he also replaced my fuel filter and alternator belt while he was at it, all included! As far as the ticking? It sounds like you've got a rod going bad. I've a friend that has this problem but his has now become constant, it will cost him just a few hundred dollars to have it fixed with my mechanic. The problem you face is if you seek out an independant mechanic, how do you know if he is any good? Ask around, that's how I found mine. Mine used to work for a local car dealer and got sick of the crap that went on there. I've only heard good things, even from people that used to work with him at the dealership. Happy hunting!

 

Yep, my local Nissan dealer had the audacity to quote me $1700 to fix my front and rear studs. I paid them $150 in labor to diagnose where the noise was coming from because I could not pinpoint it for the life of me. Once I knew that the noise was due to broken exhaust studs, I bought the new studs, washers, nuts and gaskets for around $100 and replaced both front and rear studs myself. Unless you are very mechanically inclined, I would have the dealer fix this for you. Just tell them you don't want new exhaust manifolds and if they insist then go somewhere else to have it done. Like the other gentleman said, $600 should be the most you pay for the labor. Send me an e-mail if you want to tackle the job yourself. I've been there so I can help you.

-Jeremy

 

yup.. pretty much what everyone else has said..
usually labor charges are arond $250 per side for this job and parts are $50.
each stud, nut, and washer are about $1.50 each, then the gasket is about $20. yes, you do need a new gasket. if you don't, the problem will be even worse when you stick the manifold back on top of a leaking gasket.

I've replaced the fronts myself and I know I've got one broken one on the rears.. I've had the parts since july, and am just too lazy to do it.. it's a full day job to do it yourself- even with good tools and experience.

I've got pics on my computer at home.. will upload to my website tonight if you need more help.

 

Thanks Bill. Could you tell me roughly how many hours will it take for an experienced Nissan tech to have just the rear studs (incl. nut, washer, gasket) replaced? Or might as well replace the front ones at the same time? Since I am not that mechanically inclined to tackle a job that would take me more than a couple of hours I would have a tech do it. At least I would have an idea of how long it should take him -- his estimate that is.

Thanks in advance.