It's time for my 60,000 mile tune-up, so I figure I would save myself $300 and do it myself. Basically, it's just spark plugs, filters, and this friggin' valve that I forgot the name to, PMV, PVM?? Don't flame me. Anywho, this thing can't cost more than $15, can I purchase one of these and install it myself, or is installing it a real ***** ? I figure if one of you guys don't know, nobody knows ( if you can even figure out what valve I'm talking about). Thanks a lot.

 

PCV valve. Its not all too hard to replace, just patience, you dont have a whole lot of room to work with... sorry, I couldnt find a write up on how to do it, I used my Chilton manual.

 

Don't forget the fluids... brake, coolant, transmission.

 

The PCV is located kind of under the throttle body plugged into the engine...If you go and buy the new one then you will know what to look for... That's pretty much how I found it because the Chilton book has it listed in the wrong place. It took me about 30 minutes because I had to locate it first and figure out the best way to get to it. I found that if you unscrew some of the things that over it, you can get to it better. I think you need a 10mm wrench or socket and some needle nose plairs will make grabbing it and getting it out alot easier....Hope this helps...$13.00 for a frickin PCV valve at the stealership, what a ripoff...

 

It is the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve (PCV Valve) and it is located in upper left hand corner of the rear valve cover (near Throttle body). Remove screw from above bracket (10mm) and it is real easy. Costs about $4.00 at parts store. Buy yourself a Haynes Manual while you at the Parts Place.

 

Spark Plugs - use OEM platinum
Fuel Filter
Air Filter
Belts
PCV valve
Fluids - Oil, Coolant, Tranny

Also consider:
- Clean throttle body
- Replace worn hoses
- Check brakes and rotors
- Check Windshield wipers

Check:
http://www.courtesyparts.com/secondtier_a32.html
If you order from here, call and mention you are a maxima.org member. The prices online are around 20% off List price, Org members get 25% off list, so you get an additional discount.

 

When i did the above i also did the "poor mans intake" modification. It repleaces the filter box and adds a cone intake to the rest of the stock intake. I got my cone for free from a friend but i doubt its more than $20. Took me 30-35 mins and it sounds great at WOT. performance gain is little to none but it has a damn good sound

Other maintanance would be:
check tire air pressure, rotate tires(if needed)
check cv boots for rips
check ecu for codes.
when i did all this i had 9 days due to spring break, not sure how much time you have but good luck.

 

aftermarket Fuel Filter, is it good?

 

Thanks for all your help. You guys rock. Seriously.

 

http://web.archive.org/web/200111091...k_service.html

try this, its what i used. sorry, i dont know how to make it a link

good luck

 

How did you find that? Jeff K's page was a great resource, but the original address is empty.

There are a few other maxima pages which have disappeared that were very useful. I'd like to find them too.

 

That is an awesome link (added it to my favorites)

However, regarding the coolant flush/change, the motorvate website ( http://www.motorvate.ca/auto/maxima/...oolant_r&r.htm ), says basically, don't bother removing those two really-hard-to-get-to coolant drain screws unless you feel you have to. At most there'll be 0.5 liters of coolant you'll miss draining out.

I think I can live with that? Anybody else have any opinions on this?

 

Just take a look at those drain plugs. I defy any human to get those out without a lift and a plasma cutter.

I just kept flushing mine with clean h20 until it was good and clear. Takes awhile. Then drained and added enough Toyota Red and distilled water until the 50/50 mix was right on my little antifreeze-tester thingy....

-RMB

 

i dont understand how to change my coolant? you have to mix it w/ water? can i just use 100% of that anti-freeze coolant stuff you buy at pepboys

 

you could use 100% antifreeze, but it may actually work better when mixed with water........ Just look on the back of the antifreeze bottle and there should be a chart showing the different mixture % and how effective it is

 

We used ethylene glycol in heat exchangers for radar units and used 50/50 water and antifreeze as it protected as well as pure antifreeze. If I remember right it protects down to minus 70 F.

 

Isnt Antifreeze made of Ethelyne Glycol?

 

if you live in alaska or chicago(in the winter) go on and use 100% if you live in florida, use water. basically the colder the weather the the greater the percentage of ANTIFREEZE i'd use. if your not worried about freezing then top off with water, but not nasty tap water.

 

Pre-mixed antifreeze is available (IE - already diluted to a certain percentage), but you pay a cost premium. Make sure you read the jug to make sure what you're getting. IMO, it's better to pre-mix your own with distilled water in a big bucket and then pour or pump it in. Seems to me that running 100% anti-freeze is a bad idea - it can't have the same thermal tranfer characteristics as the H20 mix.

While on the subject, Redline's WaterWetter is an interesting product; it increases the coolant's thermal transfer abilities and is also a corrosion inhibitor. Might be an alternative to anti-freeze, depending on where you live.

Ciao,
TOM

 

NEVER use 100% antifreeze. NEVER exceed like 70%. Pure antifreeze is horrible at thermal transfer and also freezes at a higher temp than 50/50.

If memory serves, 100% std antifreeze will freeze a little under -5 degrees.

Antifreeze also needs some water for it's corrosion packages to work or it can form deposits leading to even less transfer in the future....

Pure water also sucks. No corrosion protection and remember antifreeze is also anti-boil....

-RMB

 

From a thread like this. i just saved it under favorites and throw it out when ever someone else needs it. Do the same

good luck









How did you find that? Jeff K's page was a great resource, but the original address is empty.

 

yes. most not all antifreezes are.

 

What about Belts? I've got almost 70K and I can tell my belts need to be replaced soon. How hard is this?