98 Max Questions...Help appreciated
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
98 Max Questions...Help appreciated
OK guys I have a few questions. I have a 96' Max 5sp with a Blown Head Gasket. In case you ask how I know, I went through all of that nonsense in another thread and you guys were a big help.
Now instead of fixing it I am going to buy another used Max. I found a 98' 5sp with 160k (mine had 258k on her) for $1,500. My BIG question... Can I can use the parts from my 96' Max and put them on the 98' Max if I have to??? These are the parts that are fairly new on my 96' Max... alternator, starter, whole clutch kit (new clutch,) struts (front and rear,) tires and rims (mine are 15 inch and the new car has 16's,) etc... Are the 96' Max parts compatible with the 98'?
Now on to my other issue... The 98' I test drove today is in pretty good shape cosmetically (at a wholesale dealer) but when I drove it the car was not smooth at high rpm's (above 3000) in any gear. There is no CE light but the guy said it a "Cylinder 3 Misfire." I'm sure it could be a bunch of things. It also has a loose exhaust pipe directly under the stick and he said it needs a bracket (makes a clunk sound under the car when I start it.) I have done some research on the forums and I am hearing Coil Packs, may need a tune up, etc...
The car was listed ar $2,250, then $1,750, and the salesman said he will give it to me for $1,500. A 98' Max in good cosmetic shape with a possible engine issue for this price may be a good deal if it's nothing major! I know a lot of other potential car buyers are probably scared of the "high" mileage but I/we know this engine can go for a long time (mine had $160k back in 2007 and she was just getting broken in!) LOL
Any thoughts/answers are greatly appreciated!
Now instead of fixing it I am going to buy another used Max. I found a 98' 5sp with 160k (mine had 258k on her) for $1,500. My BIG question... Can I can use the parts from my 96' Max and put them on the 98' Max if I have to??? These are the parts that are fairly new on my 96' Max... alternator, starter, whole clutch kit (new clutch,) struts (front and rear,) tires and rims (mine are 15 inch and the new car has 16's,) etc... Are the 96' Max parts compatible with the 98'?
Now on to my other issue... The 98' I test drove today is in pretty good shape cosmetically (at a wholesale dealer) but when I drove it the car was not smooth at high rpm's (above 3000) in any gear. There is no CE light but the guy said it a "Cylinder 3 Misfire." I'm sure it could be a bunch of things. It also has a loose exhaust pipe directly under the stick and he said it needs a bracket (makes a clunk sound under the car when I start it.) I have done some research on the forums and I am hearing Coil Packs, may need a tune up, etc...
The car was listed ar $2,250, then $1,750, and the salesman said he will give it to me for $1,500. A 98' Max in good cosmetic shape with a possible engine issue for this price may be a good deal if it's nothing major! I know a lot of other potential car buyers are probably scared of the "high" mileage but I/we know this engine can go for a long time (mine had $160k back in 2007 and she was just getting broken in!) LOL
Any thoughts/answers are greatly appreciated!
If there is a misfire then there SHOULD be a CE light.
Do all the idiot lights, especially the CE light, light up when you turn the key to the run position?
If not, then there's trouble. Step away sloooooowly.
Also, the maximas from 95-99 are umm, 99.5% the same car.
Most major parts (like the ones you mentioned) should fit no problem, but there are always little caveats here and there.
For example I have a 98 I30 and my friend has a 99 I30. Between these 2 years, the exhaust manifolds are different, the IACV is different. My IACV has 4 electrical connections whereas his has 3. His lower intake manifold has swirl valves but mine don't etc.
Of course this may be an extreme example b/c with the 99 Max/I30 being the last year of the 4th gen Nissan seemed to have started experimenting with "new" emissions stuff, security immobilizer etc, in that model year to get ready for the 5th gen.
Of all the 4th gen years, the 98 is my favorite because it is the most modern 4th gen without the gobbledy gook emissions nonsense of the 99s, so if that one passes all the tests I mentioned above, then
DW
Do all the idiot lights, especially the CE light, light up when you turn the key to the run position?
If not, then there's trouble. Step away sloooooowly.
Also, the maximas from 95-99 are umm, 99.5% the same car.
Most major parts (like the ones you mentioned) should fit no problem, but there are always little caveats here and there.
For example I have a 98 I30 and my friend has a 99 I30. Between these 2 years, the exhaust manifolds are different, the IACV is different. My IACV has 4 electrical connections whereas his has 3. His lower intake manifold has swirl valves but mine don't etc.
Of course this may be an extreme example b/c with the 99 Max/I30 being the last year of the 4th gen Nissan seemed to have started experimenting with "new" emissions stuff, security immobilizer etc, in that model year to get ready for the 5th gen.
Of all the 4th gen years, the 98 is my favorite because it is the most modern 4th gen without the gobbledy gook emissions nonsense of the 99s, so if that one passes all the tests I mentioned above, then
DW
Last edited by dwapenyi; Jun 5, 2012 at 07:01 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
OK cool. I did not check to see if the CE light came on when I turned the key. Do you think they could have RESET the ECU so it doesn't come on at all at this point? When I saw the "service engine soon" light I just thought that meant there was a code problem. For some reason my 96' Max never flashes a "Service Engine Soon" Light. And my CE Light bulb is blown on my car.
Anyway as I mentioned the car stutters bad when I reach over 3k RPM's in any gear (stick.) I didn't drive it too far to see what else happened. He let me drive it by myself but he told me where to go... If I drove the speed limit and shifted below 3k I would have never felt the bad stuttering/shaking but I got on it a little bit and that's when I felt it. The car was listed for $1,750 (down from $2,250.) When I left and told him I would come back tomorrow (which is actually tomorrow) he yelled out and ran up to my car... He said "my boss said he will sell it to you for $1,500 right now but you have to buy it now!" LOL. I said "I don't have the cash on me right now and I want to see if the parts are compatible." I'm sure I can go back tomorrow and get the same "deal." Watcha think about this shaking/stuttering at higher RPM's? Think it could be something small or does it need to be trouble shot? I would think they would have fixed this before selling it. I never test drove a car with a problem this apparent but then again it's $1,500 bucks!
Suggestions???
Anyway as I mentioned the car stutters bad when I reach over 3k RPM's in any gear (stick.) I didn't drive it too far to see what else happened. He let me drive it by myself but he told me where to go... If I drove the speed limit and shifted below 3k I would have never felt the bad stuttering/shaking but I got on it a little bit and that's when I felt it. The car was listed for $1,750 (down from $2,250.) When I left and told him I would come back tomorrow (which is actually tomorrow) he yelled out and ran up to my car... He said "my boss said he will sell it to you for $1,500 right now but you have to buy it now!" LOL. I said "I don't have the cash on me right now and I want to see if the parts are compatible." I'm sure I can go back tomorrow and get the same "deal." Watcha think about this shaking/stuttering at higher RPM's? Think it could be something small or does it need to be trouble shot? I would think they would have fixed this before selling it. I never test drove a car with a problem this apparent but then again it's $1,500 bucks!
Suggestions???
OK cool. I did not check to see if the CE light came on when I turned the key. Do you think they could have RESET the ECU so it doesn't come on at all at this point? When I saw the "service engine soon" light I just thought that meant there was a code problem. For some reason my 96' Max never flashes a "Service Engine Soon" Light. And my CE Light bulb is blown on my car.
Anyway as I mentioned the car stutters bad when I reach over 3k RPM's in any gear (stick.) I didn't drive it too far to see what else happened. He let me drive it by myself but he told me where to go... If I drove the speed limit and shifted below 3k I would have never felt the bad stuttering/shaking but I got on it a little bit and that's when I felt it. The car was listed for $1,750 (down from $2,250.) When I left and told him I would come back tomorrow (which is actually tomorrow) he yelled out and ran up to my car... He said "my boss said he will sell it to you for $1,500 right now but you have to buy it now!" LOL. I said "I don't have the cash on me right now and I want to see if the parts are compatible." I'm sure I can go back tomorrow and get the same "deal." Watcha think about this shaking/stuttering at higher RPM's? Think it could be something small or does it need to be trouble shot? I would think they would have fixed this before selling it. I never test drove a car with a problem this apparent but then again it's $1,500 bucks!
Suggestions???
Anyway as I mentioned the car stutters bad when I reach over 3k RPM's in any gear (stick.) I didn't drive it too far to see what else happened. He let me drive it by myself but he told me where to go... If I drove the speed limit and shifted below 3k I would have never felt the bad stuttering/shaking but I got on it a little bit and that's when I felt it. The car was listed for $1,750 (down from $2,250.) When I left and told him I would come back tomorrow (which is actually tomorrow) he yelled out and ran up to my car... He said "my boss said he will sell it to you for $1,500 right now but you have to buy it now!" LOL. I said "I don't have the cash on me right now and I want to see if the parts are compatible." I'm sure I can go back tomorrow and get the same "deal." Watcha think about this shaking/stuttering at higher RPM's? Think it could be something small or does it need to be trouble shot? I would think they would have fixed this before selling it. I never test drove a car with a problem this apparent but then again it's $1,500 bucks!
Suggestions???
If the car wont rev past 3K rpms then its a classic MAF issue. If that is confirmed to be the only issue with the car, goto car-part.com and get a used one from the junkyard. Avoid replacement MAFs on ebay, autozone etc.
DW
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Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
Thanks boys... I am shopping around more for another car. There are a bunch of good deals out there. I found a 2000 Max with 130k. The ad from private owner says: "good running car but after riding for 30/40 mins it stalls and starts not to shift into another gear . I'm a female and I don't know about cars . That's the only thing that's wrong."
I don't know maybe I can steal this thing. I assume I should have the codes pulled as well? Cosmetically the car is in great shape. I don't know if it's an auto or stick though. I messaged the person but did not ask her. I will speak with her tomorrow. I know this is very limited info but do any of you know what this could be off the top of your head? Sily question I know...
Lastly I test drove yet Another 2000 Max today (at a dealership that sells very inexpensive cars.) It has 109k but when you press the gas the car does not respond. It bogs down real bad and you can't go above about 30 mph. The mechanics there have been trying to fix it all week. This car is also very nice cosmetically. Is there issues with the 2000 Max? This is the 1st year of the new body style etc...
Any help is appreciated! Thanks guys!
I don't know maybe I can steal this thing. I assume I should have the codes pulled as well? Cosmetically the car is in great shape. I don't know if it's an auto or stick though. I messaged the person but did not ask her. I will speak with her tomorrow. I know this is very limited info but do any of you know what this could be off the top of your head? Sily question I know...
Lastly I test drove yet Another 2000 Max today (at a dealership that sells very inexpensive cars.) It has 109k but when you press the gas the car does not respond. It bogs down real bad and you can't go above about 30 mph. The mechanics there have been trying to fix it all week. This car is also very nice cosmetically. Is there issues with the 2000 Max? This is the 1st year of the new body style etc...
Any help is appreciated! Thanks guys!
Were you able to confirm that the 98 Maxima is bad? If it has a bad MAF and that's the only thing wrong with it, it's a good deal and easy to fix with the method I suggested earlier.
DW
DW
Last edited by dwapenyi; Jun 7, 2012 at 01:59 PM.
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