5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

I need a new engine??

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Old 06-05-2012, 08:35 PM
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I need a new engine??

So after about 700$ spent on a Check Engine Light(P0300 random misfire) taking the car to different shops and trying different fixes i still end up with this blasted light. I can't get this fixed and i really don't want to sell the car. I took it to a mechanic a good buddy of mine refered me to and he said i need a new engine. Apparently there is oil getting into the spark plugs and thats what's causing my CEL light to come on. So he says to fix it to options 1. rebuild the motor or 2. Swap.. I come to you maxima guru's in hope of an answer or a reference to a mechanic in NYC that knows maxima's like the back of there hands. So i can get a definitive answer to this and either swap this sucker or fix it thank you.

ETC.

2003 maxima SE 6spd
121000mils
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Old 06-05-2012, 08:41 PM
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If there is oil leaking into the sparkplugs, why dont you changed the valve covers to the 04 maxima valve covers. It's a common problem on these engines. It has even happened to me.I upgraded to the 04 valve covers and so far its been good.
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Old 06-05-2012, 08:46 PM
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was your car throwing a misfire code too?
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Old 06-05-2012, 08:54 PM
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Oil in spark plugs is 95% of the time from bad valve covers. Not a big deal if htat's what it is.
Replace with the 2004 style which is a better design. It's also a LOT cheaper.

First thing you should be doing is a Compression test though. If it's ok then do the parts causing the problem.
Sounds like your mechanics are morons.

Buy right from the dealer it's cheap. make sure you get a gasket with it

You'll also need an Upper Intake Manifold Gasket while you're in there, as it needs to be removed to do the rear Valve cover base.

Find out which one is leaking and replace it. While you're in there replace the spark plug (s)

then re-check. If code persists you hvae one or more bad ignition coils, these mount right on the valve cover base and they have a tube on them that connects to the spark plugs. They're another common issue on these cars as they age.
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Old 06-05-2012, 08:57 PM
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i really want to take it to someone who knows nissan for a good second opinion.
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Old 06-06-2012, 07:07 AM
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Not to many people know nissans better than people here giving advice. Your mechanic is telling you to replace your engine for an EXTREMELY common problem. Replace the rear valve cover and gaskets like tuner said. If the code persists, figure out which coil needs to be replaced like tuner said.

What did you already spend $700 on? Coils?
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Old 06-06-2012, 07:26 AM
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I have the same Problem then the knock comes took it to the dealer they say need a new engine. before that i took of the valve cover and change the coils and the spark plug but when all done n started up still the same CEL light come on checked again it tells me it the Cam sensor is bad , so i decide to do an 09 vq35 engine swap
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Old 06-06-2012, 07:34 AM
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You swapped your motor because a cam sensor was bad? you must rolling in money
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Old 06-06-2012, 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by thai32
I have the same Problem then the knock comes took it to the dealer they say need a new engine. before that i took of the valve cover and change the coils and the spark plug but when all done n started up still the same CEL light come on checked again it tells me it the Cam sensor is bad , so i decide to do an 09 vq35 engine swap
Like your gonna get this to work FFS!! its only been done 1 time
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Old 06-06-2012, 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by 2damax
Not to many people know nissans better than people here giving advice. Your mechanic is telling you to replace your engine for an EXTREMELY common problem. Replace the rear valve cover and gaskets like tuner said. If the code persists, figure out which coil needs to be replaced like tuner said.

What did you already spend $700 on? Coils?

I have gotten the front valve cover ,the crank sensor,front cam sensor, 2 coils and various diagnostic charges from different mechanics not to mention the labor for all of these things.
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Old 06-06-2012, 08:39 AM
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Any reason why you got the front valve cover?

Typically, it's the rear that begins to leak.

Also, no coils on that list?
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Old 06-06-2012, 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by thai32
I have the same Problem then the knock comes took it to the dealer they say need a new engine. before that i took of the valve cover and change the coils and the spark plug but when all done n started up still the same CEL light come on checked again it tells me it the Cam sensor is bad , so i decide to do an 09 vq35 engine swap
^ see what i mean
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Old 06-06-2012, 08:43 AM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Any reason why you got the front valve cover?

Typically, it's the rear that begins to leak.

Also, no coils on that list?
i have changed two coils to see if the misfire would change from P0300 to some like p0301,0302,0303,etc... i would rather have the check engine throw thoughs codes becuase at least i know whats wrong with it and not some random ****. the Mechanic said it was leaking to so i was like go for it just to keep it running right on bothside.

Last edited by NyMax03se; 06-06-2012 at 08:46 AM.
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Old 06-06-2012, 09:19 AM
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Maybe change the rear bank also.

New boots and plugs and coils.

Keep an eye on your oil level too.
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Old 06-06-2012, 09:22 AM
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so i just went outside to check and see if the spark plugs had oil on them they dont. So i called the mechanic he apparently already did a compression tests on my engine and all 6 cylinders are losing compression. that's what is causing the oil to get on the spark plugs and the misfire that i have.
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Old 06-06-2012, 09:31 AM
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from the sound of things...your mechanic is trying to rape you iMHO
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Old 06-06-2012, 09:34 AM
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Ask him what the values were for each cylinder.
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Old 06-06-2012, 09:41 AM
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To me it sounds like hes telling you the plugs are gettin oil on them in the cumbustion chamber, not on the coil side. If you have bad rings, there's your problem, for loss of compression on all six cylinders, sounds fishy.
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Old 06-06-2012, 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by NyMax03se
so i just went outside to check and see if the spark plugs had oil on them they dont.
That just sounds too simple. The front three plugs are easily accessible, but you must remove the upper intake to get at the rear ones. Did you do that?
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Old 06-06-2012, 10:16 AM
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seems like your from NY, If your in the queens area you can drive out to long island to Harjit's shop. You can contact him I believe on here but definatly will reach him on nycmaximas.org. His username is Sum1punjabi. He has his own shop and everyone on there can vouch for him including me. you can pm for more details.
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Old 06-06-2012, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by morris369
To me it sounds like hes telling you the plugs are gettin oil on them in the cumbustion chamber, not on the coil side. If you have bad rings, there's your problem, for loss of compression on all six cylinders, sounds fishy.
the mechanic said ^ this word for word just in spanish.lol

Originally Posted by oldngivout
That just sounds too simple. The front three plugs are easily accessible, but you must remove the upper intake to get at the rear ones. Did you do that?
i only checked #6 in the back. i have to go to work so i wasn't trying to rip down the engine now.

Last edited by NmexMAX; 06-06-2012 at 11:39 AM.
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Old 06-06-2012, 11:24 AM
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^you only checked the one under the UIM eh?
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Old 06-06-2012, 11:35 AM
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the 3 in the front and #6 in the back

Originally Posted by maxx0831
seems like your from NY, If your in the queens area you can drive out to long island to Harjit's shop. You can contact him I believe on here but definatly will reach him on nycmaximas.org. His username is Sum1punjabi. He has his own shop and everyone on there can vouch for him including me. you can pm for more details.
i went on nycmaximas alot of good words about that dude. i think i might take that trip ...

Last edited by NmexMAX; 06-06-2012 at 11:44 AM.
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Old 06-06-2012, 11:38 AM
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how did you take #6 w/o pulling the UIM
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Old 06-06-2012, 11:52 AM
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2, 4, & 6 are in front, and 1, 3, & 5 are in rear.

# 5 might be accessible with the IM still on, heard of it happening once on here. But, I doubt you could actually remove the spark plug with as little room as there is in there.
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Old 06-06-2012, 12:09 PM
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Sry I meant to say 5. The coil comes rite out very small space though
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Old 06-06-2012, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by NyMax03se
Sry I meant to say 5. The coil comes rite out very small space though
Looks like you have 2 more to go.

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Old 06-06-2012, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Any reason why you got the front valve cover?

Typically, it's the rear that begins to leak.
This.

Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Ask him what the values were for each cylinder.
THIS

Originally Posted by oldngivout
That just sounds too simple. The front three plugs are easily accessible, but you must remove the upper intake to get at the rear ones. Did you do that?
And this. The rear is the one that fails. They're also the ones that have bad compression and wear the fastest due to excess heat and poor air flow.
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Old 06-06-2012, 07:23 PM
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Good Luck Man....
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Old 06-07-2012, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Rods03Max619
Good Luck Man....
thanks^

i took it to someone today they did a smoke test on the engine to find and leaks in the air system... When they did it alot of smoke was coming from the left side of the throttle body... it was coming out of the VIAS valve

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Old 06-07-2012, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by NyMax03se
thanks^

i took it to someone today they did a smoke test on the engine to find and leaks in the air system... When they did it alot of smoke was coming from the left side of the throttle body... it was coming out of the VIAS


The VIAS (potential for leaking) is no where near the TB.
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Old 06-07-2012, 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX


The VIAS (potential for leaking) is no where near the TB.
ok i might be wrong of the location but im right about the part. i was on NWPengineering and was looking at the VIAS blockoff for the 3.5vq and that was the part that it smoking from..

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Old 06-07-2012, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by NyMax03se
ok i might be wrong of the location but im right about the part. i was on NWPengineering and was looking at the VIAS blockoff for the 3.5vq and that was the part that was smoking from..
Ahh, so, there are a lot of potential leakage areas there. Most obvious is the rear VC ... the one that is prone to cracking.

Another being the VIAS valve cover, the PCV valve, (just under that area) and of course all of the associated UIM/LIM gaskets.
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Old 06-07-2012, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX


The VIAS (potential for leaking) is no where near the TB.


My thoughts exactly

Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Ahh, so, there are a lot of potential leakage areas there. Most obvious is the rear VC ... the one that is prone to cracking.

Another being the VIAS valve cover, the PCV valve, (just under that area) and of course all of the associated UIM/LIM gaskets.
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Old 06-07-2012, 12:57 PM
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^

but yea that was the only place where smoke was coming from. now im looking for a replacement... thanks anyway guys
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Old 06-07-2012, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by NyMax03se
^

but yea that was the only place where smoke was coming from. now im looking for a replacement... thanks anyway guys
A replacement engine because of a cracked valve cover? Noo!
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Old 06-07-2012, 01:12 PM
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now if i get the block off instead of the new valve will it trip a CEL.
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Old 06-07-2012, 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by NyMax03se
now if i get the block off instead of the new valve will it trip a CEL.
Nope.

But I would pinpoint the leak first. And that wont cause your SES. Not taht small of a leak.

Hell, I've removed my BOP cover many many many many times without changing the gasket over the years and have yet to have any sort of leak or SES.
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Old 06-07-2012, 02:00 PM
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NO not an engine. Just the VIAS valve or the entire upper intake manifold. the valve covers are fine even the one in the back. it's leaking from Vias where power actuator meets the variable air time valve.

Last edited by NyMax03se; 06-07-2012 at 02:04 PM.
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Old 06-07-2012, 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by NyMax03se
NO not an engine either the VIAS valve or the entire upper intake manifold
Have you verified a crack or could it be coming from below, like the rear valve cover?
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