Hi everybody,

I am caught in a dilemma and would like some advice.

Car: 2000 Nissan Maxima, Automatic, V6
Live: Tucson, Arizona
Weather: Winter time here so it is 30s and 40s in the morning to about 60s in the afternoon.

Error code: P0303

My engine lately has been idling very rough when stopped at lights. It vibrates the whole car and I shift it into neutral which seems to calm things down. I took it to my mechanic and pulled the above error code. He diagnosed it as a bad fuel injector and recommends replacing it entirely. He quoted me ~$500 for replacing the fuel injector. He also said that because getting to #3 requires removing the plenum, he also suggested that I go ahead and get the other two replaced while he has the plenum off. If I wanted to do that it would cost $900.

My dilemma is that this car is only worth $2,000 based on KBB. Is it worth it? I may be selling it within six months (because I am moving) so I'm not sure if putting that money in would be wise. Should I just do the one fuel injector replacement or all three? Or should I just ride it out, sell it for...something, and move on?

If I don't get it fixed, would it be safe to take on the interstate?

 

It's worth it.

I would recommend reading up on how to do it or find a friend to help you.
Really not terribly hard.
$900 is way too much.
I hate mechanics for this.

Injectors shouldn't cost much more than around $70 each

I wouldn't drive far on that misfire..you can get away with it if it's not flashing a CEL, but I don't recommend it.

 

It wouldn't be a safety concern driving. I'd just have the one bad injector replaced and have him check the resistance on the others just to see or make sure they are within spec. If your selling it it would probably be an easier or better sell if someone test drives it without the shake from the misfire. So I'd say replace the one and leave the others for now and maybe get other quotes. A new injector would probably run you about $100 give or take so see how many hrs labour the mechanic is charging you and at what rate to do the job otherwise if you are mechanically inclined you could do the job. Im sure he's also quoting on replacing the intake manifold/plenum gasket as well but I would check on weather or not the gaskets included in the quote so you don't get any surprises after he's taken it apart. Its not necessarily a common thing to have injectors failing but being he does have to take the plenum off you could replace the 3 for piece of mind if you were keeping the vehicle the other 3 should be easier to get at.

 

You won't get book value for it if it is misfiring.

That seems like a lot of money for fuel injectors. It's not that hard of a job. If you are handy at all, you can do it yourself for exponentially less. Each injector is <$100 each aftermarket, and $131 for OEM. Meaning labor is 369 for one injector, and 200 more for each other injector where there is zero extra effort.

I vote to find another mechanic or do it yourself.

 

Doubt it is the injector as the ignition coils are usually the problem with cylinder misfires. I suggest you switch the ignition coil from cylinder 3 with one from cylinder 5 or 1. Drive around and see if the code goes away or follows the cylinder you switch the #3 ignition coil to.

If it follows the cylinder then it is the coil and not the fuel injector.

Cost to diagnose...free! Just take 10 minutes to switch the ignition coil.

 

^^^ x2

 

I'd agree with this ^ if your not sure about your mechanic unless he does have a really good scan tool and is trusted and is sure it is an injector. If it's just a coil its a much easier fix and your not getting hosed so just be sure he's right. If your not sure and you are wanting him to fix it mark the coil so you know he hasn't just changed it and not the injector and you could always ask for the old injector back but if you trust him then that's good.

 

watch from 27:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V43OTGPxYc0 to determine where the fault in the misfire is coming from.

 

Just do it yourself. I know when I was doing some work on my engine and had to take the intake plenum off I was terrified, but afterwards I was like "that was super easy." And do all 6. You can get a full set of 6 OEM ones for $135 or you can get a full set of 6 larger Bosch aftermarket ones with wires for $250.