Some horrifying pictures I took today (copy-paste to view):

http://www.iupload.net/022004/underside1.jpg

http://www.iupload.net/022004/underside2.jpg

http://www.iupload.net/022004/underside3.jpg

What I wrote up yesterday:

Vehicle: 1985 Nissan Maxima. Just broke 273,000 on the body, 160,000 on the engine.

So I noticed a somewhat irregular idle one morning, but figured it was just because the engine is cold. Lo and behold, it doesn't hold idle at all that same afternoon, and the engine is rough when I keep it up with the gas pedal (I just shortened the thottle cable for the trip home). I wasn't sure what was going on, so I gave it a spin the next day and things seemed fine. Today I drove on the highway for 20 miles and it again had absolutely no idle. When I pulled into a parking lot, smoke was coming from the car's underside and I could see areas of oil dripping. The engine also had a very throaty and loping rumble to it at low revs. The oil level seemed OK, so I hope I didn't leave anything dry. Did I blow a valve or seal, which is leaking oil and causing pressure/vacuum issues for the idle? Or have I been cursed with two separate problems? (It was towed home, anyway.)

Cliffs Notes:
* Car has no idle.
* Very throaty at low revs.
* Oil is leaking on the underside (nothing is visible from above).
+ A nice gap where there should be none, as shown in the pics.

Enlighten me, please...the Chilton's manual doesn't help, given my overall lack of car knowledge.

 

OK, so I blew the rear main seal in that spot. Not sure how, but it's gone. Now how do I fix it for less than $300, if possible? Hammer and JB Weld? I'm serious, if I can get a few miles out of that way, I'll do it.

 

the main seal ?? that does not cause your car to idle incorrectly. It idles wrong when your vacum lines are disconnected or crqacked, also tps...first thing is check vacumms then spart plugs and dirst cap..well tune it up. and yes u can do a main seal for less than 300. Get a haynes manual and it explaisn step by stem on how to do it. You seem like a do it yourselfer..just like me. Once im up to something i get it done..except my transmission syncros. Everythoing is replaceable in the car (engine , transmission ) oil leaks dont cause it to run bad (unless there is NO oil at all) make sure its engine oil. If it ran without oil then that explains everything.

 

Hector, it all depends on WHAT happened to that rear main seal...if it completely blew out, and the housing for it is also messed up due to that, the crank COULD "wobble" at the end with his flexplate and torque convertor...which could cause some similar issues...

Sheepman, I seriously doubt that type of fix would get you anywhere...if you are a DIYer, and have the means, you will need to drop the transaxle, and replace the seal from there.