another man's problems
another man's problems
this thread was posted on another forum I visit any suggestions?
Originally Posted by Twin Cam
The stats: '93 Nissan Maxima GXE, auto, 3.0 liter SOHC VG30 engine. Paid $1500 and got 3K miles out of it so far. Have spent $150 trying to fix a problem, and another $100 in random stuff. 229K miles on original engine/tranny and body. Body and interior are in fair condition.
The problems: Engine would not start tonight (first decently cold night since I've had the car). Jumped it, started hard, sputtered a lot. Oil press light on. Misfiring like crazy. Idle way low and erratic. After a few hundred feet misfires so bad it won't go over 15 mph. Oil press light still on. Stalls in drive when brakes applied. Overheating problem on highway that a thermostat and coolant flush didn't fix. Sucks gas (22 mpg highway).
The decision: Sell it for parts (or a $2006 candidate for a 350 V8 Twisted Evil ) or try to fix it? I've got fall break next weekend, so I have time. But I figure it needs at least a battery, distributor, and new plugs. And the oil press light? I think the engine's toast.
The problems: Engine would not start tonight (first decently cold night since I've had the car). Jumped it, started hard, sputtered a lot. Oil press light on. Misfiring like crazy. Idle way low and erratic. After a few hundred feet misfires so bad it won't go over 15 mph. Oil press light still on. Stalls in drive when brakes applied. Overheating problem on highway that a thermostat and coolant flush didn't fix. Sucks gas (22 mpg highway).
The decision: Sell it for parts (or a $2006 candidate for a 350 V8 Twisted Evil ) or try to fix it? I've got fall break next weekend, so I have time. But I figure it needs at least a battery, distributor, and new plugs. And the oil press light? I think the engine's toast.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7
The bumper's black, and it's the worst respray I've ever seen, you probably don't want that 
Cracked block? Serious problems? Yikes! I dunno why I paid money for this thing, honestly. It is a piece mechanically and visually. It cruised like a freight train when it ran. I called it the cruise missile. Thing was a beast on the highway. After driving two Saturns, I had torque deprevation.
$1500 and change plus $150 to fix another problem and I got 3K miles out of it. Great investment. Plus I'm in skool and not working (no time) and I don't have the cash to throw around and buy another car. Damn. Anyone need a '93 GXE parts car located near Philly?
Oh, and thanks to internetautomart for posting this for me.
Cracked block? Serious problems? Yikes! I dunno why I paid money for this thing, honestly. It is a piece mechanically and visually. It cruised like a freight train when it ran. I called it the cruise missile. Thing was a beast on the highway. After driving two Saturns, I had torque deprevation.
$1500 and change plus $150 to fix another problem and I got 3K miles out of it. Great investment. Plus I'm in skool and not working (no time) and I don't have the cash to throw around and buy another car. Damn. Anyone need a '93 GXE parts car located near Philly?
Oh, and thanks to internetautomart for posting this for me.
could actually be some fairly simple problems, but there are many things to check.
first thing I'd check is what kind of oil you've got in it, and have some way of actually checking oil pressure.
it's possible the pump was dry and never primed, but if that's the case you've got issues beyond the sputtering.
check the oil and see if you're getting oil to the top end, then go from there.
first thing I'd check is what kind of oil you've got in it, and have some way of actually checking oil pressure.
it's possible the pump was dry and never primed, but if that's the case you've got issues beyond the sputtering.
check the oil and see if you're getting oil to the top end, then go from there.
There are a couple of things I would look at from my experience with VG30 cars and trucks....I would see if it jumped time (timing belt) A timing belt may not always completely break when it fails. Sometimes a few teeth may strip allowing it to get a few teeth out of time thus making it run like crap. Also maybe blown head gasket(s) If you are getting coolant into your oil that may explain the loss of oil pressure. Your oil will look like a chocolate milkshake if that's the case. I've seen a lot of old VGs, mainly old hardbody trucks and GEN 2 Maximas that inherently would have a lower oil pressure at idle after they racked up a gazillion miles. They would usually go a gazillion more as long as the timing belt wasn't ignored. Of course you would want to check the easy things first; plugs, wires, cap and rotor, and fuel filter. Good luck!
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7
Alright. I'll check those things. But a few questions:
Timing belt check? Never dealt with a timing belt, only ever a chain. I know where the cover is....and it doesn't look fun to remove. Oil pump? How do I check that? The oil pump in my Saturns is inside the timing chain cover on the crank....and how to check oil pressure to the top end?
Timing belt check? Never dealt with a timing belt, only ever a chain. I know where the cover is....and it doesn't look fun to remove. Oil pump? How do I check that? The oil pump in my Saturns is inside the timing chain cover on the crank....and how to check oil pressure to the top end?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 380
Originally Posted by ShortFuse
Alright. I'll check those things. But a few questions:
Timing belt check? Never dealt with a timing belt, only ever a chain. I know where the cover is....and it doesn't look fun to remove. Oil pump? How do I check that? The oil pump in my Saturns is inside the timing chain cover on the crank....and how to check oil pressure to the top end?
Timing belt check? Never dealt with a timing belt, only ever a chain. I know where the cover is....and it doesn't look fun to remove. Oil pump? How do I check that? The oil pump in my Saturns is inside the timing chain cover on the crank....and how to check oil pressure to the top end?
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