Omegasrk

iTrader: (1)

I have a 1993 Maxima SE 5spd (VE30DE). I've noticed that in the front and rear engine banks, I am missing 2 maybe 3 exhuast studs while I was doing my maintenance on my car. I know they have been missing for quite awhile b/c my car hisses when accelerating due to gases passing through the small cracks. How many of you guys have this problem and how did you fix this. Is it something you could do yourself? Thx.

FitzMax

The front exhaust manifold bolts are really not too big of a deal to fix but the rear are the ones that you have to worry about. I had the same exact problem and I know the exact hissing noise you referred to (kind of embarassing, huh?). I had Nissan do the repair because I had two studs broken off in the rear manifold. They gave me and estimate of $500-$1600 for the fix. The huge price difference depends on whether or not they have to remove the cylinder head of the engine in order to get to the broken studs, but with mine they were successfully able to tap the bolts and get them out. Double chck to see if the bolts are missing or they are broken. In all likely hood they are broken and you are looking at a big job whether you do it yourself or you have someone do it for you.