Can anyone post a picture of what the fuel filler shield looks like installed? And when were these shield installed at the factory? I have a 2003 Max SE and I believe there is no shield installed.

 

bump

 

I like to know it too

 

bump

 

I don't have a picture handy, but basically if you go look in your rear wheel well, you can tell if you have it or not. If you can see an exposed hose from the fuel door going down, then you don't have the shield. Without the shield, I kept getting dirt in my fuel door, it wasn't good. I went to the Nissan dealer, and I showed them that all the used 2000's and some of the 2001 models in the lot had them, and they put one in for me (not for free, I had to get reimbursed from Nissan because my dealership sucks). From what I gathered from the parts guy, they stopped putting them in early 2001 to save costs, but you can get it and have it put in. It's a big cover that goes in the brackets that are already there, you can't miss it if you look. Get it.

 

Is this the plastic part around the filler neck. My 02 has one. Confused. Chris

 

Its something that you can see if you look under the rear tire of the car. Here's a pic of mine, that doesn't have it:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/raa970...uel_intake.jpg

 

Sorry to bump a 10 year old thread, lol, but I did a search and found this, and after all this time with our 5th gens having aged, I wanted to ask the East Coast peeps' opinions of whether it's a good idea to have the fuel filler neck cover or not. Does it accelerate or prevent rust of the filler neck?

I just installed a cover on my 2003 which doesn't have one. I blasted mine with some rust inhibitor before fastening on, but would love some opinions.

Thanks!

 

Where did you get the cover? How much did it cost?

 

In Canada, I got it from the dealer for $35 and change. It's probably cheaper in the USA for you guys. The part# is 17290-2Y000 and you need 4 plastic clips with it.

 

The point of the shield is to protect the fuel pipe from damage, since it's exposed in the wheel well.

When I got my '01, it didn't have it, and I convinced the dealership that it should have been on the car as original equipment. They ordered the part and installed it at no charge. I never noticed any issues with rust or trapped moisture. It doesn't seal the area, it just shields the pipe.

 

I'll probably pass on this, my car has almost 240,000 miles on it and the filler pipe seems to be no worse for wear. Wonder why Nissan stopped putting these on?

 

Holy wow, 240K miles?! Nice. Are you on your original 2002 engine, tranny and pre-cats?

 

Yeah, original motor, tranny, and cats. O2 sensors were replaced at around 140,000 miles. Rear valve cover and one coil pack replaced at around 200,000 miles. Everything else is all original (except for drive belts and hoses) and purrs like it was new. The radiator just sprung a leak and I have that to do, parts arrived Friday. I'm going to go ahead and replace the alternator while the radiator is out, it's supposed to be much easier to do.

I've never used synthetic oil, just whatever the dealer uses at 5,000 miles. Tranny flushes every 100K, coolant flushes every 50K, spark plugs every 100K. It's been and remains the best car I've ever owned. If it ever dies I'll buy another one.

We have smog inspections every other year and tailpipe emissions are very low, almost at zero for some of the gases. I hope the car will make it to 300,000 miles. There are members here with much higher mileage, well in excess of 400,000 miles!

 

Wow, Slo-Ryde, this is incredible, because our engines burn oil at high miles. How cold does it get in Northern Cali? We East Coasters experience cold starts and rust that usually wears cars down.

I don't think your filler neck will rust. I just installed one because I like OEM touches. I did check a junked 2000 Maxima's filler neck recently and took off its cover. The pipe was totally rust-free and you can still see a stamped # on the pipe.

 

I don't add any oil between changes, the dipstick is usually showing the oil level is down about a half quart at the 5,000 mile oil change. I use to commute 150 miles a day for 8 years in this car, that probably plays a part in its longevity.

Weather is moderate, certainly nothing like on the east coast. Rust is rarely a problem out here.

 

try having a 95 and living in the east coast with 245,000. i just did $1,200.00 in body work and most of it was rust repair. here she is...

 

Maxima owners are a loyal bunch for sure. Most people would've sent their '95 anything else to the shredder a long time ago. My '02 Dodge truck has only 60,000 miles on it and a very long and expensive list of repairs. The A/C crapped out again last year and I need to replace the compressor. It ain't no Nissan, that's for sure.

BTW: I have the same SE rims on my GLE, picked them up from a member here on the forums quite a few years ago. The GLE rims are up in the attic collecting dust.

 

Why?

 

Because he likes it, of course. And you have to admit. it looks good.

 

OP could have gotten a Gen 4 with lower mileage for a little more $ ???