guapoman2000

Guys,

Yes, I am the one who purchased a nice looking 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE with 214,000+ original miles for a cool $1,000 US.

So, far I have spent about $950 US on new CV Drive Axles and Lower Control Arms (Both Sides of course) and that cost represents Parts and labor,

Now, I am seeing an Ugly Drip Drip Engine Oil coming from the Rear Main Seal.

So, far I have received a solid estimate of $800 for Parts and Labor at my favorite Tire and Rim Pro shop that has very good ASE mechanic personnel.

Additionally, I have used Bar's Rear Main Seal additive (Two weeks ago) and today I have purchased and inserted Blue Ribbon Rear Main additive.

QUESTION: Do you all think lowering the Automatic Transmission and ALL the labor involved is worth it? If so, does anyone here know of the going rate to do this job? (Yes, the Rear Main Seal Assy is about $38.00 at Auto Zone).

Thanks in advanced.

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

No. Might as well swap in a low mileage 2001 AE LSD tranny if you are. Also, could be the half moon leaking, too (in which case the oil pan has to come off).
This is something to do yourself. You've already been taken to the cleaners on the other parts. You've spent more than the car is worth, already.
Spending 3 grand is completely ridiculous (and will continue to increase unless other basic maintenance was done which never is). You'd be better off swelling the seal and dumping it on someone to get your money back, then traveling to get a low mileage car.

The only additive that works is AT-205, but a big leak can't be fixed.

Gaki

I'm still learning the platform on here. The 01 AE LSD was only manual, correct?

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

No. RE4F04V

Gaki

That's ****ing awesome. Thank you for this!

Been wanting to do a manual swap, but as a daily in traffic, and because the wife needs to drive it from time to time, it's just not feasible. This is great on all levels.

krismax

iTrader: (15)

Sinking another 2k + in a $1000 car is stupid. If your gonna spend 3-5k on a car buy one in the first place.

When your not doing your own work ,cars are money pits. Those transmissions are junk ,better to stick to the Auto trans. If not put a 6 speed in.

$950 on parts and labor . Who ripped you off. A car like that needs constant care ,taking to a shop is a mistake.

guapoman2000

Guys,

Thank you all for your replies and let me say that I have no intent on swapping OUT my nice and SMOOTH SHIFTING AUTOMATIC from my 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE to a MANUAL shifting Transmission.

I do agree that the Half Moon is perhaps leaking but, you still need to drop the Automatic Transmission to replace?

The former co-worker who sold this Maxima to me took good care of it and it's just it's time due to mileage.

EDIT: A few have asked me about the Ignition Coil Packs so, there's the information.

Original Owner of the 2000 Maxima GLE and he tells me that he purchased those Ignition Coil Packs from ROCK AUTO.

Pan down and you will see the Hitachi Brand.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...tion+coil,7060

Hope this helps!

krismax

iTrader: (15)

That car is mint...YES the transmission needs to come out. It covers the rear main seal.

I always like to replace the engine when that needs to be done. Engine change is faster and after your done you have a better engine. I found one with 40 K on it last year.

User1

That's a clean car. Hope it sees a good future.

98 i30t 5spd

FYI, you have a GXE. Not a GLE.

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

You can travel and pick up a 2003 TE 6 spd HLSD with boltons, coilovers, etc, for 2,500 lol. I saw it on facebook yesterday. And, yeah, it's in good condition.

Gaki

Got a link??

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

check the maxima, VQ and my5thgen groups

Facebook is ****, so I can't even find anything if it's more than half a day old. It just hides ****.

Gaki

Agreed man. They have no problem showing you ads, but as soon as you want to act on it, gone.

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

Although it was a number of years ago, I recall paying right around $750 to have the RMS replaced in my ‘99.

Donkeypunch

it doesn't have to be the rear main it could just be that plastic half circle seal on the upper oil pan.
i thought i was going to do the rear main next but just turned out to be those.
you don't need to remove the tranny for it.

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156811228@N08/, on Flickr

guapoman2000

Well, I am lucky enough to have found a PRO SHOP that has quoted me exactly $750 US including seals for both Engine Rear Main Seal and Auto Transmission Front Pump Seal.

guapoman2000

Donkeypunch,

Okay, I keep seeing this about the Half Moon Seal and the need to take down the Upper Oil Pan etc...etc....... but, I have NOT found any Video or diagrams to show me exactly how you do this?

I mean, if it is not the Engine Rear Main Seal then, if you replace these and it still leaks then, WHAT?

Is there a definitive manner in which you can determine if it is these Half Moon Seals "OR" the Engine Rear Main Seal?

Thanks!
Guapo

guapoman2000

I believe that is the Half Moon mating surface for the Upper Engine Oil Pan -To- Engine Block?

Is that correct?

If so, they are both at the Front and Rear, correct? I am a little confused?

Donkeypunch

yup, front and rear.
it will come as a kit those two plastic seals for the humps, two o-rings for the oil pump, and a paper gasket for the pickup.
it uses rtv as an actual gasket for both upper and lower.

na you can't tell if it's the rear unless you take pan off and see if it's leaking back there. or remove the tranny

guapoman2000

Thanks so much, Donkeypunch!

Really appreciate!

I will try to get to this soon!

guapoman2000

Interesting!

Found this thread and I am sharing a "One-Post" reply from someone that insists per his experience that it's the Half Moons that leak and really not the Rear-Main Seals (RMS).

Link at:
https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...ml#post6555657

krismax

iTrader: (15)

Better to get another engine.

guapoman2000

I believe you meant to post this in another discussion thread.

My Maxima's 3.0 Liter Engine runs great and no Timing Chain Whine whatsoever.

First owner took great care of it.

Starts right up at the very first 1/2 crank.

krismax

iTrader: (15)

No i mean it's cheaper and faster and better to put another engine in. I got one with 40K on it.

guapoman2000

Totally understood. Again, my 2000 Maxima GLE has an excellent Engine.

Not going to search for a worse condition USED Engine.

Thank you.

Donkeypunch

that's probably a joke. get another engine because a seal is leaking. sure thing.

krismax

iTrader: (15)

This is funny as hell. You guys realize that the engine in question has over 200k on it. And if one seal is gone many will follow. And what about the timing components?

Getting a engine with 50-80k on is isn't getting a worse engine.

And yes i have done it myself many times, Spending $800-1000 on a engine with that miles on it is crazy. But i guess i keep cars longer than most people. I would put a low mile engine in and drive it for 10 more years.

Donkeypunch

na m8. put in new gaskets and be leak free.
another engine is extreme for leaky oil pan.

guapoman2000

I totally agree!

Okay, got the Engine Rear Main Seal done and it was a big job but, got a PRO Shop to do it and they were fantastic!

https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...ml#post9212604

https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...ml#post9212622

Just amazing!

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

thats to hard to generalize that, i just spent $600 on a tune up at 255k.... =)
especially when a person cant swap engines themselves, it makes decisions a lot harder or easier depending how you look at it. (harder - do i keep this old thing going for $800 / easier - i need to move on this car is only worth $1000 ) i definitely see and agree with what you are saying, im just saying there are different situations for everyone, yet at the end of the day there is an extremely fine line to all this, cars never appreciate they consistently depreciate

side note - our cars are getting old, will these low mileages get old or rare? or do we have many other years/ models that are swapple to keep the market longer ?

nice to hear the update, fingers crossed that's it for a while =) your lucky your in florida !

guapoman2000

Florida just got hit with 56 Degrees F...... with lots of Windy conditions!

Okay, Had an opportunity to replace a defective AC Control switch assembly (see other thread)
https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...ol-switch.html

Got underneath the 2000 Maxima and was pleasantly pleased that NO MORE Oil Leaks are coming from the Engine Rear Main Seal!

Checked the Engine Air Filer and looks NEW but, found one securing Clip missing, however, it doesn't seem to be affecting the Engine.

Checked on the NEW Engine Drive Belts and they are doing Great without any Engine Oil.









NO MORE OIL LEAKS FROM ENGINE REAL MEAN SEAL!