Get Rid of Or Keep My Max
#1
Get Rid of Or Keep My Max
I took my max to a mechanic and my car is leaking from either the timing chain cover or engine block, not the water pump as i originally thought. he said to get rid of it. Now i own about 4800 on it and it only has 120K Florida Highways miles on it. What do you guys think and what is a reasonable amount to fix it?
#4
well i had a dealership tell me to get rid of my max because it was old and maximas have like 30 sensors on them which he said would all be going bad soon on my car, and it would cost an arm and leg to keep fixing. anyways 2 years later and 60k miles i still have it. i would get a second opinion.
#5
Get a used engine for about $300-$400 bucks + install. I would go with a DE-K (00-01) instead of the DE (95-99) if I were to putting in a new motor. I know people will say put in a 3.5 but if someone were not doing it themselve it will cost a lot of money. And the DE-K is ALMOST a direct drop in.
#7
Supporting Maxima.org Member
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Mecanics are like that. "You need a ball joint. Get rid of this POS before the wheels fall off" Can't tell you how many times we heard that kind of BS on our various cars. It's got 120k, it's 10 years old, blah, blah, blah. New cars have just as many problems. My mom's 04 spends half its time at the dealer.
#9
It isn't that simple. Yes everything bolts right on but now you have to think about the VI and how it is going to be controlled. You can get a 5th gen ECU but then how are you going to make that work with the vehicle's main harness?? Or you can get something like a Harlan switch. Swapping to a 3.5 is a whole different thing all together. You gotta know what you are doing.
Changing the water pump is difficult but it shouldn't be the end of the road for borybaby's maxima. 120k is nothing for the VQ, its just the other little parts that are wearing down and needs replacement. Oh and newer cars have a lot more sensors which comes with a new set of problems on their own.
Changing the water pump is difficult but it shouldn't be the end of the road for borybaby's maxima. 120k is nothing for the VQ, its just the other little parts that are wearing down and needs replacement. Oh and newer cars have a lot more sensors which comes with a new set of problems on their own.
Originally Posted by SDot82
Get a used engine for about $300-$400 bucks + install. I would go with a DE-K (00-01) instead of the DE (95-99) if I were to putting in a new motor.
#10
how do they know its not the water pump? If they didnt check they how can they rule it out.
water pump
bad head gasket.
if its a bad head gasket - get a new engine
If its the water pump that can be repaired/swapped out.
water pump
bad head gasket.
if its a bad head gasket - get a new engine
If its the water pump that can be repaired/swapped out.
#11
Yea I got antifreeze leaking down my block right at the timing cover and I got 212K on mine. It a minor leak but I believe it my waterpump. You can't trust mechanics they just want your money. Figure it out yourself as I always see it.
Or take it to the dealership where they specialize in nissan motors. They should be able to tell the problem
Or take it to the dealership where they specialize in nissan motors. They should be able to tell the problem
#12
Same area as the water pump. I'd call around and find out what different shops charge. Water pump (in my book) isnt a good enough reason to ditch the car.
I'm guessing shops will try to charge about $250-$300 to do the work.
I'm guessing shops will try to charge about $250-$300 to do the work.
#13
I would have to say KEEP YOUR MAXIMA!! Ofcourse the shop would say get a different car, but at the same time look how far our maximas have gone. I got 131K miles on it and it still pumping awsome. I just have to say keep it.
#17
Originally Posted by DR-Max
It isn't that simple. Yes everything bolts right on but now you have to think about the VI and how it is going to be controlled. You can get a 5th gen ECU but then how are you going to make that work with the vehicle's main harness?? Or you can get something like a Harlan switch. Swapping to a 3.5 is a whole different thing all together. You gotta know what you are doing.
#19
Relax Tarzan!!! You didn't include the summit switch control for the VI in your original post did you? Why would one opt for a 5th gen ecu (not 5.5) for the DE-K swap??? Because of the VI! Some have done that instead of getting just a switch. Doesn't mean its a must for everyone else.
Originally Posted by SDot82
If you re-read my post I say the DE-K is ALMOST a direct drop in. As for the VI $50 for a summit switch to control it, why on earth would you think about switching the 4th gen ECU for the 5th gen ECU? And I never suggest swapping in a 3.5 (because of the difficulty), I said other people will suggest putting that in instead of 3.0.
#20
Originally Posted by DR-Max
Relax Tarzan!!! You didn't include the summit switch control for the VI in your original post did you? Why would one opt for a 5th gen ecu (not 5.5) for the DE-K swap??? Because of the VI! Some have done that instead of getting just a switch. Doesn't mean its a must for everyone else.
I'd like to see this.
#22
Originally Posted by MDeezy
how do they know its not the water pump? If they didnt check they how can they rule it out.
water pump
bad head gasket.
if its a bad head gasket - get a new engine
If its the water pump that can be repaired/swapped out.
water pump
bad head gasket.
if its a bad head gasket - get a new engine
If its the water pump that can be repaired/swapped out.
why get a new engine if it is a bad head gasket??? why not change the head gasket?
#23
Originally Posted by DR-Max
Relax Tarzan!!! You didn't include the summit switch control for the VI in your original post did you? Why would one opt for a 5th gen ecu (not 5.5) for the DE-K swap??? Because of the VI! Some have done that instead of getting just a switch. Doesn't mean its a must for everyone else.
#24
Same here....I would think that is the simplest way. The only reason why I brought up the other option is, #1 I heard about it, #2 There might be some benefits to doing it. I'm searching for it right now but I can't seem to find it. Maybe the person that mentioned it before changed his mind and deleted the thread.
Originally Posted by SDot82
All the people I know that have swaped the 00VI in their car have used rpm switches.
#26
Missed Understand My Question
Okay, i literally went into the back of the shop (my GF uncle owns the shop) and seen where the leak was coming from. It was coming from the lower heater hose , no big deal, but also from either the engine block itself or timing chain cover. Its not the Water pump. I'm not sure what i'm going to do. If anyone is wanting to buy it, i mean a fair offer i'll sale. I'm just really trying to get out of debt and for a novice mechanic (i've done a few intermediate jobs i.e., Stater, O2 Sensor, Brakes, etc.) i'd rather get a 4Cyclinder older car and pay no monthly payments. I'm not really all into the modding hype. Anyone interested gen4max@yahoo.com
#27
If you're selling your car, post a new thread in the Maximas For Sale/Wanted forum.
Originally Posted by borybaby
Okay, i literally went into the back of the shop (my GF uncle owns the shop) and seen where the leak was coming from. It was coming from the lower heater hose , no big deal, but also from either the engine block itself or timing chain cover. Its not the Water pump. I'm not sure what i'm going to do. If anyone is wanting to buy it, i mean a fair offer i'll sale. I'm just really trying to get out of debt and for a novice mechanic (i've done a few intermediate jobs i.e., Stater, O2 Sensor, Brakes, etc.) i'd rather get a 4Cyclinder older car and pay no monthly payments. I'm not really all into the modding hype. Anyone interested gen4max@yahoo.com
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