5th Gen "I AM NEW HERE BUT HAVE A QUESTION" thread
12-19-2010, 04:46 PM
If you have the extra money, this would be a good time to also change the rear valve cover (they typically leak) with a 6th gen valve cover (which is about 1/3rd the price and eliminates the leak issues) and also get the NWP phenolic intake spacers.
12-19-2010, 06:44 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 12
You can reuse the existing one if it's still looks alright, but for $4-5, might as well install new. And yes, that's the correct seal. Here's a write up.
http://www.vqpower.com/v2/articles.php?article_id=27
http://www.vqpower.com/v2/articles.php?article_id=27
12-19-2010, 06:49 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 12
You've got my attention- How do you tell if the old one is leaking and needs to be replaced? And, I don't even know what NWP spacers are. I can probably spend the money; my question would be, how hard is it to do the work? I'm mechanically inclined, but not trained.
12-19-2010, 09:18 PM
Consistently? Randomly? Related to down shifting on the transmission at all? Does the RPM bounce any other time? Could be related to your TPS, or IACV.
12-20-2010, 04:20 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 1,767
Probably not. Take a look at the passed and present MOTM's to get an idea. Most MOTM's have done some sort of mod to the exterior and interior to make it stand out from a stock Max. All these things cost money.
12-20-2010, 06:41 AM
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Posts: 55
i'm looking to upgrade my suspension. although i would love to get some coilovers, i live in PA (harsh winters), i'm not looking to slam my car, and financially it is not an option for me. so, i've decided on illuminas. my dilemma is what springs to pair with these struts. i've done my homework but i have not seen any reviews on the tokico strut/spring kits like this one from racetechperformance.com
http://www.racetechperformance.com/P...tCode=T-ILK298
my question is, does anyone have experience running these springs on a 5.5gen? im confident the struts will be fine for my application. the drop is 1.25" F and 1.0" R, which should have a nice stance to it. bringing the front down more. looks like a nice price on these, $598. they also have the HP kits (springs and struts) for $418. i'm assuming the springs are the same. Also, what else will i need to complete the job? front strut mounts with bearings, dust boots .... and??? Am i missing anything else. i'm looking for a good mix of handling, stance and ride (aren't we all???) so, your input would be appreciated.
http://www.racetechperformance.com/P...tCode=T-ILK298
my question is, does anyone have experience running these springs on a 5.5gen? im confident the struts will be fine for my application. the drop is 1.25" F and 1.0" R, which should have a nice stance to it. bringing the front down more. looks like a nice price on these, $598. they also have the HP kits (springs and struts) for $418. i'm assuming the springs are the same. Also, what else will i need to complete the job? front strut mounts with bearings, dust boots .... and??? Am i missing anything else. i'm looking for a good mix of handling, stance and ride (aren't we all???) so, your input would be appreciated.
12-20-2010, 11:01 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 1,767
Remove the cheap plastic fasteners that hold the carpet up against the inside of the trunk. Once you can pull that crap away, the tail light is held on with about 4 little nuts. Remove the nuts (careful not to drop any) and disconnect wire harness. Push the tail light out carefully. Mine had black adhesive holding it in as well which can be seperated while you push. No need to reapply the adhesive since most of it stays on the taillight.
12-20-2010, 01:47 PM
12-20-2010, 01:48 PM
12-20-2010, 05:43 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 5
sorry, here ya go. yes its been consistently doing it when braking, i dont know (but it makes sense) that its happening while downshifting b/c its bouncing as i pull up to the stop sign, red light. etc.. this is the only time they are bouncing, and like i said earlier its only bouncing slightly (say from 750-1000). thanks for your patience and insight.
12-20-2010, 05:51 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: orange county NY
Posts: 3
IM NEW
Hey all, i new tho the hole posting and forums thing, this is my first one and i have a question about my maxima gle 03. now i don't really know the difference between gens as yo say it! but i got this maxima in July and i love it , but i wanna put a short ram airintak on it and i cant find the site to buy one! i think its call a Frankencar short-ram intake! there are plenty of pics of it on the forum, but im just learning how to use the forum! it would be greatly appreciated if some one could give me the site where to perchise this product bc everyone seems to talk highly about it! ty verry much. Justin
12-21-2010, 05:51 AM
Shameless plug 
"I HATE the flimsy/saggy spare tire cover in my trunk. Where can I get a solid & sturdy replacement?"
Answer: Read this thread and PM me
http://forums.maxima.org/general-max...tion-sale.html
"I HATE the flimsy/saggy spare tire cover in my trunk. Where can I get a solid & sturdy replacement?"
Answer: Read this thread and PM me
http://forums.maxima.org/general-max...tion-sale.html
Last edited by djfrestyl; 12-21-2010 at 10:09 AM.
12-21-2010, 05:56 AM
PM sent.
i'm looking to upgrade my suspension. although i would love to get some coilovers, i live in PA (harsh winters), i'm not looking to slam my car, and financially it is not an option for me. so, i've decided on illuminas. my dilemma is what springs to pair with these struts. i've done my homework but i have not seen any reviews on the tokico strut/spring kits like this one from racetechperformance.com
http://www.racetechperformance.com/P...tCode=T-ILK298
my question is, does anyone have experience running these springs on a 5.5gen? im confident the struts will be fine for my application. the drop is 1.25" F and 1.0" R, which should have a nice stance to it. bringing the front down more. looks like a nice price on these, $598. they also have the HP kits (springs and struts) for $418. i'm assuming the springs are the same. Also, what else will i need to complete the job? front strut mounts with bearings, dust boots .... and??? Am i missing anything else. i'm looking for a good mix of handling, stance and ride (aren't we all???) so, your input would be appreciated.
http://www.racetechperformance.com/P...tCode=T-ILK298
my question is, does anyone have experience running these springs on a 5.5gen? im confident the struts will be fine for my application. the drop is 1.25" F and 1.0" R, which should have a nice stance to it. bringing the front down more. looks like a nice price on these, $598. they also have the HP kits (springs and struts) for $418. i'm assuming the springs are the same. Also, what else will i need to complete the job? front strut mounts with bearings, dust boots .... and??? Am i missing anything else. i'm looking for a good mix of handling, stance and ride (aren't we all???) so, your input would be appreciated.
12-21-2010, 10:04 AM
sorry, here ya go. yes its been consistently doing it when braking, i dont know (but it makes sense) that its happening while downshifting b/c its bouncing as i pull up to the stop sign, red light. etc.. this is the only time they are bouncing, and like i said earlier its only bouncing slightly (say from 750-1000). thanks for your patience and insight.
Has your transmission exhibited any other slipping issues? On our 5th gens we have known issues with the TCM and/or solenoids causing slipping from 1 to 2 or 2 to 3. Can be happening during a downshift, but pretty rare.
12-21-2010, 10:37 AM
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 165
So this newbie has searched and been rewarded with the idle learn/reset fix. I applied the methods and car went from not being able to idle at all, to a perfect 750+- rpm steady idle.
My problem is that 200 miles later, it seemed to unlearn the idle and went to dipping down to near stall/actually stalling. I performed the reset again and all is well.
My MAF seems clean and recently replaced (I just got the car) No check engine light/codes. Car runs great. Cold start idle is a perfect 900-1100 rpm range.
Thoughts? IACV? All help is appreciated.
My problem is that 200 miles later, it seemed to unlearn the idle and went to dipping down to near stall/actually stalling. I performed the reset again and all is well.
My MAF seems clean and recently replaced (I just got the car) No check engine light/codes. Car runs great. Cold start idle is a perfect 900-1100 rpm range.
Thoughts? IACV? All help is appreciated.
Last edited by mrpopo573; 12-21-2010 at 10:54 AM.
12-21-2010, 03:11 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 1,767
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...you-using.html
Welcome to the .org!
12-22-2010, 12:41 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: new york
Posts: 4
i just got my 5th gen maxima se last month i noticed the lower radiator support is rusted i think i seen a thread on here about it. i seen on ebay they have them for about $150.00 with shipping is there another site that's cheaper and i also have a 2001 nissan maxima se 20th anniversary edition i wanted to know about putting a mesh grill in it how would i go about doing it i see ebay has a cut out of the original grill for $30.00 im guessing you would have to buy the mesh and clips form home depot if anyone has any suggestion's it would be very helpfull.
12-22-2010, 05:15 AM
i just got my 5th gen maxima se last month i noticed the lower radiator support is rusted i think i seen a thread on here about it. i seen on ebay they have them for about $150.00 with shipping is there another site that's cheaper and i also have a 2001 nissan maxima se 20th anniversary edition i wanted to know about putting a mesh grill in it how would i go about doing it i see ebay has a cut out of the original grill for $30.00 im guessing you would have to buy the mesh and clips form home depot if anyone has any suggestion's it would be very helpfull.
Rad support: http://forums.maxima.org/general-max...-rust-fix.html
There are plenty of vendors for grilles - both on the forum and online. Search and you won't have to cut your grill or buy home depot clips.
12-22-2010, 02:47 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 828
might have to take the maxima to a local nssn dealership...my car has been running kinda funny and I kno its leaking oil..not exactly sure where but i was told it was into the gasket..i kno that the oil problem is bad..but how bad is this fix on a scale of 1-10? would u guys say 5 or 8 or 10? let me kno bc I kno i need it fixed just havent got around to the shop yet..thanks for comments and answers are much appreciated.
12-22-2010, 04:29 PM
Im not really to happy with the braking power on the max. I was told that just bleeding the brakes would make a big difference. Is that true? Im not sure the last time the rotors were replaced but i got ceramic pads put on in the front about 2 months ago. Still have to replace the rear.
Where is a cheap place to purchase brembo blanks.
Where is a cheap place to purchase brembo blanks.
Last edited by djshwini; 12-23-2010 at 10:38 AM.
12-23-2010, 10:35 AM
So this newbie has searched and been rewarded with the idle learn/reset fix. I applied the methods and car went from not being able to idle at all, to a perfect 750+- rpm steady idle.
My problem is that 200 miles later, it seemed to unlearn the idle and went to dipping down to near stall/actually stalling. I performed the reset again and all is well.
My MAF seems clean and recently replaced (I just got the car) No check engine light/codes. Car runs great. Cold start idle is a perfect 900-1100 rpm range.
Thoughts? IACV? All help is appreciated.
My problem is that 200 miles later, it seemed to unlearn the idle and went to dipping down to near stall/actually stalling. I performed the reset again and all is well.
My MAF seems clean and recently replaced (I just got the car) No check engine light/codes. Car runs great. Cold start idle is a perfect 900-1100 rpm range.
Thoughts? IACV? All help is appreciated.
12-23-2010, 10:38 AM
might have to take the maxima to a local nssn dealership...my car has been running kinda funny and I kno its leaking oil..not exactly sure where but i was told it was into the gasket..i kno that the oil problem is bad..but how bad is this fix on a scale of 1-10? would u guys say 5 or 8 or 10? let me kno bc I kno i need it fixed just havent got around to the shop yet..thanks for comments and answers are much appreciated.
12-23-2010, 11:47 AM
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 165
12-23-2010, 12:38 PM
Im not really to happy with the braking power on the max. I was told that just bleeding the brakes would make a big difference. Is that true? Im not sure the last time the rotors were replaced but i got ceramic pads put on in the front about 2 months ago. Still have to replace the rear.
Where is a cheap place to purchase brembo blanks.
Where is a cheap place to purchase brembo blanks.
You can probably go with more aggressive material on the pads such as axxis or hawk. There are a number of varieties so do your research.
I believe there is someone in the group buy section of the forum who sells brake lines (stainless steel), pads, and rotors. Check there.
You may find you want to upgrade on to stainless steel brake lines, but this is purely up to you. These can help with brake fade (applying the brakes for long periods of time), but don't really help much with stopping power.
12-23-2010, 02:46 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Happy Holidays guys!!! I'm new here and I have a quick question and was hoping that someone can help me out. I have a 2003 maxima gle and it wont start. For the last 2 weeks I've been havin trouble with steering and n oticed today that my power steering fluid is very low. Could this be the reason my car isn't starting?
12-23-2010, 03:04 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
When I try to turn the car on it all the lights on the dashboard come on. It doesn't crank but kinda makes a flickering noise and the lights on the dashboard flicker on and off rapidly. I'm praying that it's just my battery, but I just dont know
12-23-2010, 03:13 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Not yet. I discovered this while getting into my car going to work. (the absolute worst time) I left the car at home. I will say this though, Ive had this car since November of 08 and I have 2 12inch woofers in the trunk. I've never had the battery changed yet in this vehicle. Might this contribute to my problem?
12-23-2010, 05:29 PM
Happy Holidays guys!!! I'm new here and I have a quick question and was hoping that someone can help me out. I have a 2003 maxima gle and it wont start. For the last 2 weeks I've been havin trouble with steering and n oticed today that my power steering fluid is very low. Could this be the reason my car isn't starting?