I just want to start out saying I'm new here but not new to forums or working on cars. I am an active member on a couple of Jeep forums. I bought this car from my mom when she moved out of state 3 months ago. It is a 03 maxima se with 167,000 miles. I bought it to replace my jeep as my daily driver as the maxima gets twice the mpg as my jeep does.

Last night I went to go to work and started the car and it immediately started making a clanking or knocking noise. I shut it off as soon as I heard them and double checked the oil. (I just changed it two weeks ago) I got back in the car noticed the check engine light had come on. I hooked up my scanner and it shows a p1800. I tried to start it again and it noes just turns over nothing else. I have talked to a couple different people and all have come to the conclusion that the timing chain may have possibly broke or have jumped time. Is this a possibility? I have always heard timing chains are maintaince free and should never have to be replaced like a timing belt. If the chain did break what are the possibility of other problems such as bent valves? I am going to pull the front valve cover off tonight and see what I can find out.
Thanks in advance.

 

Hard to know what is going on without seeing it in person. The 2002-2003 3.5 Maxima have a horrible reputation engine wise. I hope that is not the case with your car.

 

As in bad reputation what do you mean? What are some other common problems?

 

The 3.5VQ engines in the 2002-2003 Nissan maxima (2002-2004 infiniti i35) are known to have many issues such as a oil burning, engine knocking,etc...Just google 2002, 2003 nissan maxima engine knock, oil burning, and you will see.

 

Mine does use oil but not a whole lot maybe half a quart per oil change. My mother wasn't very good about maintaining the car or any other car she's had for that matter but she bought it brand new. She never had any a major problems out of it. I've replaced both cam sensors, the starter and brakes a few times while she owned it. She has be known to go 2-3000 miles overdue for an oil change before she gets it changed though.

 

I don't know if i would take that valve cover off without a new gasket. May not seal correctly when you put it back and that can cause even more problems i.e. an oil leak that you don't want.

 

I was planning on using a new gasket. They are less then 10 dollars for both sides.

 

^^^smart man

 

What's with all these can't start car threads lately :S?

 

Well didn't get the valve cover off today. Maybe tomorrow. Instead I had to help a buddy pull a cab of a 6.0 powerstroke. They let me use their shop to work on my cars so I kind of feel obligated to help them when they need some help.

 

^
Make sure to use GEN 6 valve covers

Have fun

 

What's the difference in the 5th and 6th gen covers?

 

5th gen are crap and supposedly more expensive.....

It's a popular topic discussed here

 

Are the gaskets something I need to get from the dealer? I was just planning on getting the felpros from the parts store I work part time in.

 

Hmm maybe I'm talking about the wrong item then...

I bought the front and rear valve covers for the 2004+ Nissan Maxima and it came with the black gasket thing... So I installed it like a sandwich

exposed engine
gasket with some RTV on the corners
valve cover
screws