Researching for my first big car maintenaince project...
04-04-2001, 07:32 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 599
Besides installing my car audio stuff, I have yet to even change the oil in my max and spring break is the perfect time to do some stuff I've been waiting for.
Here is what my mechanic wants to do:
(1) Transmission Service $89.00
(1) Distributor Cap & Rotor $51.47
(1) Set Ignition Wires $114.65
(1) Motor Tune Up $59.00
Total without labor $314.12
Here is what I want to do:
(1) Air Filter $7.70
(1) Fuel Filter $10.95
(1) PCV Valve $6.80
(6) 22401 – Spark Plug – BKR6ES Standard $9.78
(1) 22450S – Cable Set High Tension $58.63
(1) Belt – Alternator $9.32
(1) Belt – Compressor $13.90
(1) Belt – Power Steering $9.05
(1) Oil Filter $4.55
(?) Seal – Oil – Camshaft $3.40
(?) Seal – Oil – Front Crankshaft $3.33
(?) Silicon Gasket – Waterpump/Thermostat $16.14
(?) Thermostat – C $11.54
(1) Protector Distributor $15.38
(1) Rotor $??.??
Total with my labor $180.47
I have a few questions.
1. Which thermostat should I get? The 76.5C or the 82C?
2. How many of each of the seals do I need?
3. What is a transmission service? Is it worth $89?
4. What is a rotor? How much should I expect to spend?
5. How much is the Courtesy Discount?
6. Are any of these items pointless to replace? The last time my car had a tune up was at 87,700 miles and it's at 132,000 now. I was planning on doing this project at about 135,000 miles and doing an oil change while I'm at it.
7. Are any of these items difficult to replace? Would a Haynes manual and 2 people who know stuff about cars be enough help?
8. Is there anything that I have forgotten to replace?
9. Do I need any more of the parts listed on this website?
http://www.courtesyparts.com/onlines...ignition-vg30e
Here is what my mechanic wants to do:
(1) Transmission Service $89.00
(1) Distributor Cap & Rotor $51.47
(1) Set Ignition Wires $114.65
(1) Motor Tune Up $59.00
Total without labor $314.12
Here is what I want to do:
(1) Air Filter $7.70
(1) Fuel Filter $10.95
(1) PCV Valve $6.80
(6) 22401 – Spark Plug – BKR6ES Standard $9.78
(1) 22450S – Cable Set High Tension $58.63
(1) Belt – Alternator $9.32
(1) Belt – Compressor $13.90
(1) Belt – Power Steering $9.05
(1) Oil Filter $4.55
(?) Seal – Oil – Camshaft $3.40
(?) Seal – Oil – Front Crankshaft $3.33
(?) Silicon Gasket – Waterpump/Thermostat $16.14
(?) Thermostat – C $11.54
(1) Protector Distributor $15.38
(1) Rotor $??.??
Total with my labor $180.47
I have a few questions.
1. Which thermostat should I get? The 76.5C or the 82C?
2. How many of each of the seals do I need?
3. What is a transmission service? Is it worth $89?
4. What is a rotor? How much should I expect to spend?
5. How much is the Courtesy Discount?
6. Are any of these items pointless to replace? The last time my car had a tune up was at 87,700 miles and it's at 132,000 now. I was planning on doing this project at about 135,000 miles and doing an oil change while I'm at it.
7. Are any of these items difficult to replace? Would a Haynes manual and 2 people who know stuff about cars be enough help?
8. Is there anything that I have forgotten to replace?
9. Do I need any more of the parts listed on this website?
http://www.courtesyparts.com/onlines...ignition-vg30e
04-04-2001, 08:52 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 627
List
When you say transmission service, I assume that's a transmission flush. If so, you need to take it in. A special machine is used to do that.
Air Filter, fuel filter, PCV Valve, Spakr Plugs, Spark Plug wires, Distributor cap & rotor all pretty easy to do.
One caution I would advise is to relieve the fuel system pressure before working on the fuel system (per manual). Also, wear gloves (rubber) when changing the fuel filter, because your hands will stink for quite a while if you don't. A fire extinguisher nearby is also highly recommended.
I changed the thermostat on my car about 2 months ago and it was a pain. But it was well worth the heat that I got back.
Take a look at the post below for details.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ght=thermostat
Get the 82C thermostat. You'll thank yourself after about September.
As for the oil seals, forget about changing these yourself. Best bet is to get them changed when your timing belt is replaced next time. The belts are probably definitely doable, but eversince I had cars with timing belts, I had these replaced at the same time.
When you said set ignition wires, did you mean set ignition timing? If so, you can get a timing light at the auto parts store and you can time the engine yourself. But the timing rarely goes off on these cars unless someone intentionally messes with it.
Last but not least, there are two parts on a car commonly referred to as the rotor. One is the rotor that sits inside your distributor cap. These are cheap. The other is a brake rotor on a disc brake. These are usually cast iron, heavy and expensive. I assume you meant the distributor rotor. If so, I think it was about $10 at a Nissan dealer 4 years ago.
Air Filter, fuel filter, PCV Valve, Spakr Plugs, Spark Plug wires, Distributor cap & rotor all pretty easy to do.
One caution I would advise is to relieve the fuel system pressure before working on the fuel system (per manual). Also, wear gloves (rubber) when changing the fuel filter, because your hands will stink for quite a while if you don't. A fire extinguisher nearby is also highly recommended.
I changed the thermostat on my car about 2 months ago and it was a pain. But it was well worth the heat that I got back.
Take a look at the post below for details.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ght=thermostat
Get the 82C thermostat. You'll thank yourself after about September.
As for the oil seals, forget about changing these yourself. Best bet is to get them changed when your timing belt is replaced next time. The belts are probably definitely doable, but eversince I had cars with timing belts, I had these replaced at the same time.
When you said set ignition wires, did you mean set ignition timing? If so, you can get a timing light at the auto parts store and you can time the engine yourself. But the timing rarely goes off on these cars unless someone intentionally messes with it.
Last but not least, there are two parts on a car commonly referred to as the rotor. One is the rotor that sits inside your distributor cap. These are cheap. The other is a brake rotor on a disc brake. These are usually cast iron, heavy and expensive. I assume you meant the distributor rotor. If so, I think it was about $10 at a Nissan dealer 4 years ago.
04-04-2001, 09:04 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 103
not sure..
I am not sure when you last changed your timing belt on your car but they are due every 60k, and from the looks of it you are up for one and trust me you do not want to break one... I new motor is about 1500, whereas you can get teh belt for 20 and with about 5 hours do the work yourself... that way you can do the seals on the water pump as wel...
04-05-2001, 03:41 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 599
Re: not sure..
My waterpump blew at around 127,000 so I had the timing belt replaced too. I think I'm just gonna leave the other belts alone until one of them breaks, because the manual says to just check them until they break.
As for the set of ignition wires, I was referring to the wires that connect to the spark plugs. And the rotor definately means the thing under the distributor because my mechanic said I needed both and mentioned nothing about brakes.
Thanks for everything.
As for the set of ignition wires, I was referring to the wires that connect to the spark plugs. And the rotor definately means the thing under the distributor because my mechanic said I needed both and mentioned nothing about brakes.
Thanks for everything.
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