Guys,

About 3 or 4 years ago, a friend of mine bought a 2002 Maxima SE. I am posting on this question on his behalf as he is NOT a "car guy".

His car has a history of going though oil and it seems he has to add about a pint every 2,000 miles. I told him that seemed excessive, but I own Dodges and a Lincoln. I have no Nissan engine experience. He was told by the original owner, it was "normal" for this engine. Fast forward to the present.
Recently, he experienced a problem while driving to work. The trip was under 20 miles. The car wanted to shut off and seemed to be running hot. He reached his destination but the idle was rough. No coolant was lost but he did need at least two quarts of oil.

He had the car towed home to avoid any additional damage. He drove the car to a reapair facility that was less than two miles from his home. The compression checked and it was within specs. The cam sensor was replaced for about $300.
After picking up the car, it wants to stall at stop lights, and white smoke is coming from the exhaust. Now, he is told that he needs an engine.

Further tests by a Nissan mechanic have indicated that his computer is faulty as well as the car is "throwing" many codes.
The engine has 122,000 miles on it and he is trying to determine whether he definitely needs an engine.
Many have told him that it is rare that a Nissan engine would go after 122,000 miles.
Is this normal? Do these problems add up to needing a new engine? Can anyone add some advice to help? Is this car worth repairing since it needs an engine and a computer?

What is a 2002 Maxima SE worth with a really nice interior, excellent black paint job with a problem engine?

Mike

 

Very rare for this motor to go after 122,000 miles...Something doesn't add up.

First off, oil loss on the 3.5 is VERY common. They don't burn oil, they just leak through the upper oil pan half moon seals and the spark plug tube seals on the valve covers.

As far as white smoke coming from the exhaust? I'd guess maybe a blown head gasket. But with a good engine compression check that is unlikely...possible but unlikely. You said it was "throwing" many codes. I'm assuming the SES light is on? Can you pull the codes and post them here? That would help more than anything in attempting to diagnose the problem.

If you do need a new engine, they can be had very easily and relatively inexpensively. People do engine swaps on here all the time. A new computer can be had on the cheap as well but will require a trip to the stealership for reprogramming. I just find it hard to believe that BOTH are bad. Post back with more info if you can.

 

Okay I agree and disagree. First yes people do swaps on here all the time, which is what I just did. HOOWWWEEVVVER... Um if he is getting a 3.5 engine Im here to tell you since I just went through the search for an engine journey. They are running at least about $850 for ones under about 130k miles. Prices vary but yeah people are shocked when they verified for themselves when I say that. Since you have a 2002 like me and find an engine that is 2004-2008 then the mechanic will need to just swap your old Upper Oil Pan and Manifold to the new engine. Ill try to post one of my old threads if it comes that you have to go through a new engine. ANYWAY for the record which caused this for me is that you might need to check that Front Main Precat. It might be going out and will start choking your engine and cause it to burn CRAZY amount of oil. Also my car started smoking white smoke. So yeah it might be your precat and maybe you might be able to save your engine if you replace it quick. But of course confirm this with your mechanic. BTW yeah i also had cam codes too.