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Third Gen reliability

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Old 04-13-2002, 02:53 PM
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Third Gen reliability

Hey Im about to pick up a 3rd gen and I was wondering how well their reliability is. Im probably going to only keep it for about a year or a year and a half tops until I can get a 5th gen but I dont want to spend a lot of the money I am saving on repairs or anything. So is there a specific year or anything that you guys would recommend? Let me know! Thanks!
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Old 04-13-2002, 02:56 PM
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Re: Third Gen reliability

They're all pretty reliable. Find one w/ low mileage, once you get into the 150K+ that's when most trannys will start failing b/c of our weak ones. The 92-94 SEs have problems w/ the VTCs and start to tick and some people have had some pretty nasty problems w/ those. But other than that, 92-94s are usually recommended.
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Old 04-13-2002, 03:38 PM
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if ya can deal with a slightly slower car, i think the vg is the way to go for you. the vtc's just seem to rape most people of their cash
exhaust studs can on the vg though.

if it was me, id go for a ve (92-94 se)
they just seem a lot faster
but ya might end up payin
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Old 04-13-2002, 04:20 PM
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My VTC's are bad, I just grounded them, and I hear no tapping anymore. Even with them disabled, I can still run with VQs.
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Old 04-13-2002, 05:50 PM
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It's tickin, but I'm kinda too la-z and forgetful to fix it
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Old 04-13-2002, 06:50 PM
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quick question...two actually and i know there are plenty of things written on the vtc's but if they do start to tick and u dont repair 'em, can they ruin anything...and also do u lose power when they r grounded....and if u do, how much would u lose?
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Old 04-13-2002, 06:52 PM
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Originally posted by MyMax92
quick question...two actually and i know there are plenty of things written on the vtc's but if they do start to tick and u dont repair 'em, can they ruin anything...and also do u lose power when they r grounded....and if u do, how much would u lose?

You don't lose anything when you ground them. THEY WILL RUIN YOUR ENGINE!!! There are two people on here that have f*cked up their car royally because of that
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Old 04-13-2002, 06:54 PM
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Actually I think it killed my top end.
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Old 04-13-2002, 06:56 PM
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Thanx

I gotcha, i have about 86 and a 1/2K on my VE 5spd and they're not a problem....and HOPEFULLY they wont be...(knock on wood)
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Old 04-13-2002, 06:59 PM
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Just change your oil every 3k and use Nissan oil filters.
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Old 04-13-2002, 07:01 PM
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Originally posted by dmontzmax
Just change your oil every 3k and use Nissan oil filters.

In the FAQ it said that grounding the VTCs wouldn't have a change.
In the FAQ it said to use a special Toyota Oil filter. I haven't put it on but what do you think?
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Old 04-13-2002, 07:03 PM
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Well, there is alot of speculation about oil filters on this car. They say fram sucks, blah, blah, blah, but I think a filter is a filter in soo many ways. But you could try a toyota filter, I dont see why it would hurt, as long as it fits. But to be safe Nissan will work.
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Old 04-13-2002, 07:04 PM
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Every 3K i do, and I have been doing ever since i got the car, but with the nissan oil filter, is there really a difference in using them?
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Old 04-13-2002, 07:07 PM
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answers above
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Old 04-13-2002, 07:09 PM
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i know i saw it, thanx
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Old 04-13-2002, 07:09 PM
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The Toyota filter is kinda small compared to the Nissan one but it's supposed to fit.
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Old 04-13-2002, 07:15 PM
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I wouldnt worry about the toyota one, I would just buy the Nissan filter, support Nissan oh and your welcome Max92
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Old 04-14-2002, 06:57 AM
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There is a different Nissan filter for the VE. It has a valve which keeps the oil from draining back into the pan when you shut it off. This keeps more oil up high in the engine (at the VTC's), so you don't get that little time at startup where there's no oil pressure to the VTC's. There are probably some aftermarket filters which have this same feature, but the OEM's don't cost much more.
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Old 04-15-2002, 02:35 AM
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well thanks for the info peoples. its almost time to start searchin for that 3rd gen
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Old 04-15-2002, 08:28 AM
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what is a VTC and what do i do to fix them, should i have a mechanic fix them or what?
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Old 04-15-2002, 11:09 AM
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My '91 SE lasted over 300,000 miles. Yeah...I'd say they're pretty reliable.
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Old 04-15-2002, 12:07 PM
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Originally posted by Thorzdad
My '91 SE lasted over 300,000 miles. Yeah...I'd say they're pretty reliable.
thats what i want to hear
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Old 04-15-2002, 02:00 PM
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Originally posted by MaxManMo420
what is a VTC and what do i do to fix them, should i have a mechanic fix them or what?

Your gonna take an answer from a smart 13 year old hehe:

The VTC is the Variable Timing Chain, it basically tells you what it is. It's on 92-94 SEs

You can fix it by grounding the VTC w/ instructions from Craig B's site i think. You should use the filter w/ synthetic oil as the FAQ said.

The basic symptom is your engine tickin like a clock.
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Old 04-15-2002, 03:16 PM
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Originally posted by JoJo428m
The VTC is the Variable Timing Chain, it basically tells you what it is. It's on 92-94 SEs
Variable Timing Cam not chain.....
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Old 04-15-2002, 03:21 PM
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What else will you expect from a 13 year old. I gave you a warning didn't I. B/s it's kinda close
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Old 04-15-2002, 07:09 PM
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I've got an 89 SE manual w/224k miles still running strong. Body's a little bit less than perfect though Runs great for the amount of miles on it and the interior's held up really well. This is with the VG engine which is used in the 89-94 GXE and 89-91 SE if I recall correctly
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Old 04-15-2002, 11:19 PM
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http://www.geocities.com/maximamike/nvcs-bible.html
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....&highlight=oil
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Old 04-16-2002, 12:06 AM
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seems like all maximas have a good rep for reliability thats what i like to hear
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Old 04-16-2002, 12:14 AM
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How can you tell if your engine is a VG or a VE, is it by year, or something like that?
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Old 04-16-2002, 03:10 AM
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Originally posted by NismoRacer83
How can you tell if your engine is a VG or a VE, is it by year, or something like that?
Unless it's a 92-94 SE, it's a SOHC VG30E. The 92-94 SE has the DOHC VE30DE. Do a SEARCH to find out more...
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Old 04-16-2002, 06:12 AM
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bought mine with 140K and i have 180k now...did oil change, tune up, alternator, and brakes! No Problems!

Jay
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Old 04-16-2002, 08:42 AM
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Re: Third Gen reliability

I'm getting ready to sell my '91 SE, with a pretty badass stereo. You interested?


Originally posted by black019
Hey Im about to pick up a 3rd gen and I was wondering how well their reliability is. Im probably going to only keep it for about a year or a year and a half tops until I can get a 5th gen but I dont want to spend a lot of the money I am saving on repairs or anything. So is there a specific year or anything that you guys would recommend? Let me know! Thanks!
 
Old 04-16-2002, 04:37 PM
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Re: Re: Re: Third Gen reliability

Going to school in Kansas, but I'm from iowa

Originally posted by black019


where you located?
 
Old 04-16-2002, 10:35 PM
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i'm at 199,600k...probably gonna hit 200k in another month...kinda crazy to think a nissan going that long...cuz seriously, i don't hear about them as often as i hear hondas and bmw's lasting 200k.
Jae
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Old 04-17-2002, 12:27 PM
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I am at 231k probably will be at 275k by the end of the year.
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Old 04-17-2002, 02:04 PM
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Originally posted by dmontzmax
I wouldnt worry about the toyota one, I would just buy the Nissan filter, support Nissan
exactly, i aint lettin anything from toyota touch my car
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Old 04-18-2002, 04:58 PM
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Originally posted by dmontzmax
I am at 231k probably will be at 275k by the end of the year.
now thats just bootylicios
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Old 04-18-2002, 11:12 PM
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Originally posted by Thorzdad
My '91 SE lasted over 300,000 miles. Yeah...I'd say they're pretty reliable.
you had your MAX for over 300k!??? GEEZ! I just bought a 91 SE not too long ago w/ 124K... it looks like its been kept up pretty good. Do you think the tranny will hold up? And what kind of stuff should I do to the engine just to keep it on its toes (i.e. synthetic oil, the NISSAN filter, etc.)


Thanks for helping to new kids.
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Old 04-19-2002, 08:03 AM
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My 91SE is at 375K (original owner). The record I think is around 394K and going strong.('')
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Old 04-19-2002, 11:44 AM
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Originally posted by tallawah
My 91SE is at 375K (original owner). The record I think is around 394K and going strong.('')
any major problems with it along the way?
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