Hello my name is Jon.

Just wanted to introduce myself. maybe ask a few noob questions. hehe But really I wanted to get your opinion on something...I have a chance to lay my hand on a nice Black 3rd gen maxima, it really nice interior and the body looks in decent shape. I can get this car for 300 bucks. not bad huh..well hold on a sec...apperently the prevoise owner had snapped the timing belt at about 45mph...now the odds are pretty high that all the valves are bent.,,,I did a search and found out a few things...but most of my expereince is with hondas. I have a 12 sec Supercharged Crx. Its alot of fun..but I need a nice car thats quick and has A/c...I reallllllllly need A/C.

ok so I was reading about the Tbelt change..I know how to do one on a honda..its not to bad....but I haven't gotten into a nissan...and how diffucult is pulling the heads? I think after I get all this stuff straghtiend out I will have a real nice car.

anway just wondering what you guys/gals think.

thanks in advanced

Jon

 

If you'll read the FAQs and General Maintenance Reference links at the top of this forum, you'll find instructions on how to swap the timing belt.
there's also links to several online serivce manuals that will show you how to pull the heads.

all in all, it's really not that bad of a job, but if it's snapped the timing belt you're probably better off just buying another engine. You can pick them up for under $500 at most junkyards, which is cheaper than rebuilding one with a FUBAR'd head. find one near you at www.car-part.com (also in the FAQs).

 

Thanks Matt. I appreiciate your help.

Well I work for a shop and I can get the head rebuilt really cheap....so then it would only make sence to just rebuild the heads right? I would rather not have to plop another motor in there if I didn't have to.


Jon

 

it would, but valves still aren't cheap if they're bent..

If I were you (and had the shop space), I'd rip the heads off and check the valves.. if they're messed up, then buy another engine and rip the heads off it. it'll be easy when the engine is out of the car. Then you can just do a shop rebuild on those and do new valve seals, clean it up, etc etc. instead of having to fix the bent valves and drill out valve guides and such.

courtesy nissan sells a head/top end rebuild kit for the VG and VE engines (you have a VG if it's got a belt- VE has a chain).. It's cheaper to buy the entire rebuild kit than it is to buy a just the head gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, and valve seals. http://www.courtesyparts.com/ or 800-527-1909. ask for Kaleb. he owns a 93 maxima and knows these cars inside and out. he'll get you all the parts you need.

 

Kick A$$

now thats what I am talking about...thanks Matt.


Jon

 

Hey Jon,

I noticed your were in Titusville. I live in Rockledge. I have a 93se auto that I have been working on a lot lately. Sounds like you got the engine stuff under control. What year and model is the car you are looking at? Sounds like VG motor.

If you need a hand with some other things besides the engine feel free to email. I have been switching over my interior from my previous max that was totalled and will be switching my suspension and some other parts.

Just thought I would say hi since you were close. Good luck with the car.

David

 

Hiya Dave pleasure to meet you.
I am a bit unsure of the details of the car..I didn't have alot of time to spend with it (unfortunatly) I do plan on taking another look at it this coming weekend. Here is what I do know...its a 3rd gen black..black interior...auto...factory aluminum wheels...and about 160K ish on the odo. Well and then whats worng with it too. But hey I figure for 300 how can I go wrong..and I have always thought the maximas were totally cool cars.....like a blend of sport with the luxury. can't beat that.

I would really like to bring this car back from the dead. I mean seroisly this car has been sitting back there for a little bit..and its a buetiful car..all it needs is the right owner to show it a little TLC...right?

anyway..I am gonna stop babbling now. ta ta.


Jon

 

Jon,

If you need any help let me know. When you find out more details email. I have a parts car if you need anything. I have learned a lot just reading all the post here and at www.4dsc.com

The moderators here are really knowledgeable. I have had my 92 that just got wrecked since 94. They are great cars and are well worth reviving.

Let me know if you get the car. Good luck.

David

 

Worst case scenerio all the valves are bent (which is very possible) price check "your" cost (i.e. shop cost) for new valves, figure in valves seals and weigh your option at that point. Rebuild the heads or purchase a different engine. I never had a need to buy valves for a Max so I have no idea how much valves cost.

Another thing to keep in mind, since you're thinking of buying a non-running engine you have no idea what condition the bottom end is in. Are the rings, bearings worn, and since the previous owner allowed the belt the break it's possible the engine been neglected which caused the belt to break.

For $300 "I" would have purchase that car regardless of engine condition, just as long as the engine can be turned over by hand. I would put my labor into a complete engine rebuild and enjoy the next 2-300K+ miles of trouble free VG reliability. The auto tranny might be another case.

Having air conditioning ownz you, don't it?

Welcome and enjoy

 

Thanks guys for making me feel at home. I will keep up to date on the purchase of the Max...maybe if I can, I will get some picks of her this coming weekend. we shall see.

now not sure if any of you are interested but this is my baby and long time daily/race car. hehe. I am at about 10lbs and ripping through 2nd and 3rd gear here....enjoy.

A little flyby

 

Nice, your CRX looks good...not all riced out Welcome to the ORG

 

yea looks good. i hate the riced out look. stock is best !

 

thanks guys...I don't care for all that show crap either...besides I am to old for that kinda crap anyway...haha. I like it to look good..but most important...be fast..yaaa. Though I must admit..from the maxima..I mostly want it to look good....and have kick butt A/C. yaa thats what I need..haha.
here is a better pic BTW.



Nothing to fancy..she gets me from point A to point B. She just gets me there faster than some that's all. haha

Jon

 

wow..its been a long time..I cant believe I made this post back in 03. I ended up not getting that max. And suffered with no A/c for a few more years.

But all good things huh..I actually finally sold that honda there you see..and it funded the purchase of a 95 maxima se. Which I am very proud to have a maxima finally. and I cant believe how long it took. anyway..just thought I would trhow that out there for you guys..lol

 

wow!! i cant believe you returned/remembered after all those years! Welcome BACK!! I know hondas are nice..buy maximas are just luxury luxury luxury plus..you cant find a honda forum like this anywhere elsE!!!

 

Welcome back! congrats on the Max purchase... too bad you got the turd of the group though.. (Most of us 3rd gen guys detest the 4th gen, so we have a bit of a rivalry going on with them.... )

 

i don't think he got the max just saying hi again.

 

well..saying hi...and showing off my new pride and joy.




Its something I can start building on. I got lucky really with this one..I wanted a se and when I first got it and took it home I thought it was a gle. But after doing some research..and find that awsome little V on the firewall...I was over joyed. Needs some tlc...but I got that. And I have many plans for her. first and formost the shocks and springs are toasted and I will be replacing them...prolly with tocikos and some lowering springs. maximas look great lowered. then these damn pepboy tires have got to go. I am thinking 16s would look great..paired with a 225/50-16. then a few other things here and there.

So why the animosity between the gens? Maybe its like the crx owners with the delsol owners? And in case you didn't know but the delsol is the 3rd gen crx...but most of the crx owners don't acknowledge that hahah.

I am glad you guys are still around though..and it seems nothing has changed here...which I am very glad..people seem as helpful as ever. and thank god nissan still seems to be putting out some very nice maximas. I think eventually I will want to get a 5th gen..I really like there lines. great looking car.

well..thanks for the love..and I am glad to be home again

 

same reason the Probe owners don't like the ZX2 owners.

that and the 4/5 gen has a dead beam rear axle, and the 6th gen is kinda ugly in most other-gen-owners' opinions. All 3rd genners want is that damn VQ (though which version of the VQ depends on the person. I'd want a DE-K if i were doing to do a VQ swap.)

 

I like my VE.... I just wish it was made of aluminum so it'd be 200lb lighter.

the high end is much nicer than the VQ. but the VQ had a fatter midrange torque curve, so overall it winds up being faster. both have potential..

only problem is nissan's build quality went to absolute ****ola after 1994. It's just now getting better, but they're porking everything up and makign them heavy with all the bells & whistles now to keep up with the Joneses.

 

I agree with that, my girlfriend has an 02 altima and I feel that alot of the parts on my 3rd gen ve auto are more quality than the 02 altima. only thing I like about her car is the low end for getting around city travel.

 

True that... I wouldn't be caught dead owning a 4th gen "wagon"

I've worked on a few, driven them long enough to determine a problem. But I'll never own one. Even my wife thinks the same way. She loves the 3rd gen as much as I do. I can't wait to get my baby back on the road

 

After having worked on 4th and 5th gens, I made the decision I'd never own one. even basic maintenance like changing belts is an absolute nightmare in that car.
they designed the engine.
The engine guys told the chassis how big the engine was.

then the chassis guys designed the frame to fit around the engine as closely as possible.

THEN they remembered things like PS pumps, alternators, AC compressors, water pumps, hoses, and the belts to drive them all.

 

lol old thread

I was doing an oil change on a 4th gen a couple weeks ago and couldn't believe how tight things were, granted it's been a while but ugh. I was going to check on some things but after poking around a bit decided it can be someone elses headache

I remember even doing simple intake work on my 3rd gen vs DE-K... not to mention what oil filter placement is any indication of