Hello everyone, I am new to the board, and to the Nissan world. I have been a Honda guy for the last 7 years. I have always loved the Maxima since '92. I've been browsing this board a good bit, and the How-To is awesome, probably the best I have ever seen on a site.

Anyway, I just bought my cousins '97 Maxima SE off of him. It's got 132k on it. I found out the car has a timing chain, so I don't need to replace that, but I was wondering whatelse I should get done. Here is what I was going to get done.

New water pump
flush coolant system


Should I replace the A/C belt and alternator belt? Anything else?

The only thing that has been replaced is the catolytic converter.

Any help appreciated. Thanks a lot.

 

Water pump ? Is it leaking? Dont fix it if it aint broken. Specially the water pump on 4 th gen. The timimg chain tensionner removal is very tricky. There are many posts here about this hard job. (Invest time to search on this topic).
If I scared you, that`s Ok. It's my intent to have you to think it over.

 

Welcome to the org,

This is what I did when I bought mine from a private owner:

1) checked/replace spark plugs
2) checked coil packs and boots for cracks, I replaced 2. There's one for each spark plug.
3) since mine is manual tranny, I just drained and refilled with Redline synthetic fluid. If your's is auto, do a tranny flush.
4) I replaced all three o2 sensors because my ECU is throwing the o2 sensor codes


Why are you going to replace the water pump, is it making any noise? Also, it might not be necessary to flush your cooling system since the ideal time to do it is before the summer months. Just check the fluid and top off if necessary, unless the fluid looks like it needs replacing. Check the tension on accessory belts. If there are visible cracks on the belts, then replace them otherwise its not necessary. The catalytic converter doesn't need replacing unless you are getting codes from your ECU or you faild smog check because of it. I'd also suggest going into the ECU and see if you can pull any codes from it. Here is the link that'll show you how to: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=104931

Good luck!

 

This is a great how-to site: http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php

also try: www.maximadriver.com (if the org is down!)

Buy a Haynes repair manual ASAP

Also helps to have the Factory Service Manual if you start to get serious, they have CD-ROM version on PDF

As for maintainence suggs.:

Spark plugs
A/T fluid, very important if its never been changed!
Check CV boots, mine busted open around your mileage
struts/shocks, also went completely out around your mileage
strut/shock dust boots, if OEM they are most likely torn to pieces
PCV valve
bleed brake fluid

well gotta go , good luck!

 

I was under the impression that replacing the water pump was preventative maintenance. I went by Nissan and they told me I should have had it changed by my mileage, but I figured the dealer would say that. I changed mine on my Civic at 90k, but it had a timing belt, so it is better to change them at the same time.

Brake pedal feels good so I don't need to bleed them.

The car still rides really well, so I'm pretty sure the shocks are OK, but I'll check them anyway.

Sounds like I have done everything else. I just figured with high mileage you should start replacing things.

 

At the top of the forums is the Sticky to check the ECU for codes. Do that to see if there is a knock sensor code. The knock sensor code is a ghost code so it won't set off the CEL (check engine light).

Ask your cousin if the O2 sensors were changed. If it's from the factory, at 132k miles they should be worn out. Check to see what your MPG is (miles per gallon)