I was wondering what tips you guys had as to what to look for when purchasing a 3rd gen Maxima.

More specifically, I'm looking at a 1989 SE Automatic. What the standard features are, what are the weak points of the car (fuel injectors? transmission? etc...)

I don't remember. Do the 1989-1991 SE Maximas have the VG engines? How much difference is there between the VG and the VE (besides the obviously 30hp, is it variable cam timing?) I've noticed in some posts that people mention the VE uses a timing chain and the VG uses a timing belt?

Also, what kinda mileage do you guys get on these cars? Any info would be great. Thanks.

-V

 

A search of this site using the search feature would yield more information.

 

Two biggest problems are transmissions and exhaust studs. If the transmission hasn't had its fluid changed by 75k miles, it will probably die before 125k miles. The exhaust mainifold studs break and then there is an exhaust leak. I've heard of prices of up to $900 to replace them. Window regulators are another common, but much cheaper problem. Timing belt has to be changed every 60k miles.
The intake manifold has a set of butterfies to effectivly lengthen the intake length for better midrange torque under heavy load.

I would nevery buy a 12 year old "sport sedan" that's probably had all its sport sucked out years ago.

I get 15mpg city, 25mpg hwy.

 

89-91=VG; 92-94 GXE's=VG; 92-94 SE=VE(190hp)

'89 SE auto...well I hate to scare you but the early 3rd gen automatic transmisison were not that reliable. many (NOT ALL THOUGH)of the early 90's 3rd gen auto guys have gone through at least one trans, thats the weakest point in my eyes. My '91 has been though the rebuild process and it took me 2 times to get it right, the last time I added on a transmission fluid cooler and everything has been great for the last year(*knock on wood*) and I drive like a psycho, redlining all the time but don't get discouraged, dedicated servicing(refils, flushes), a trans cooler and a shift kit are sufficient methods to keeping the trans in working order!

as for other little things, exhaust manifold studs are somewhat of a problem on all the VG maxes. the timing belt must be changed every 60k(VE uses a chian) and as for milage, I'm at about 130k+ and still going, I'll be getting an engine flush, trans flush and injector cleaning next month, so I'm expecting this car to go for the long haul! plus there are many VG's out there with 200k+ and still fighting, but no major problems other than the trans and POSSIBLY exhaust studs, everything else is natural and comes with buying a used car! Maximas are very relaible though, they just need special attention and care...

Okay, I'm done rambling!(LOL)

 

VG30E engine is in the 89-91 SE and 89-94 GXE maximas. It is SOHC 12valves and is more reliable than the VE30DE engine which is in the 92-94 SE maximas. The VG uses a timing belt and the VE uses a timing chain. The VE has DOHC 24valves and has varible timing sorta like VTEC in Hondas. The VE is noticably faster. Things to look out for when purchasing a VG maxima is mainly the auto tranny. Other common problems are window regulators, alternator, starter, and I think that's about it. There is also general maintenance such as Timing belt, water pump, oil filter, etc... Maximas are known to last long. If you take care of your car and keep up with maintenance, then the max should last 200K miles easily.

 

Look for a VE 5 speed dont settle for less.You will always want to upgrade if you get a VG.It is one of the fastest maximas made.But make sure you get the 5 speed I have a auto VE and I would trade it for a 5 speed in a minute.My VE has 201,000+ miles on it.

 

Jeff.....are you reading this?

 

Hmmm well.

VE30DE. exhaust manifolds studs & VTC and that's about it.

VG30 . exhaust manifold studs, fuel injectors and harness, have to replace timing belts and they have the older version auto tranny that apparently can't be rebuilt right.

Your choice I guess.

 

94 Max At 112k:

Exhaust studs: No

Fuel Injectors/Harness: No

Timing Belt: Due at 118k; better than worrying about the chain going early

Tranny: No; already know the guy that rebuilt one in dad's 89 for $1200, so I'm not worried

<frantically looks for wood to knock on and not this pesky formica all in my cube>

Tick-free: YES!



Why can't I participate in sensible VG vs. VE flames rather than stupid "you're an idiot.....because I said so" flames.

 

Does that mean that if the VG tranny goes out, I can't replace it with a tranny from a VE auto? What causes the exhaust studs to break so often? Thanks.

-V

 

Yeah but you have changed your brake pads and rotors about 10 times already.

I have done it once at 75k. That's it.

blah!

 

hehe......I guess I have the grandma braking skillz down pat!

But I'm an idiot when it comes to brakes anyway.....hopefully I can hang on another 2 years and be a "knowledgeable" member, whatever the hell that means....

 

I suspect you probably could. But without knowing for sure(like 100% sure) I'm not gonna sit here and say it's a doable swap.

 

In looking at the FSM, a VE tranny in a VG is probably a no-go. You might as well throw the VE motor in there for good measure....looks $$$.

Tranny capacity:

VG30E auto: 8 qts.
VE30DE auto: 10.5 qts.

Size would seem to matter in this case.

 

The case is bigger yes(to house the VLSD). That would account for the larger fluid requirement. But overall it's looks very similar. At least the VG and VE manual trannies do. I suspect that Nissan would not really try to change things too much. Even though the VE has a different engine, the blocks should be at least similar.

 

wow... the 3rd gen SE VE engines had LSD on even the autos?

-V

 

I didn't even know VLSD was in slushbox VE's......I guess I equated the VE slushbox with the VQ slushbox since their fluid capacities are similar and the VQ slushboxes don't have VLSD......

 

The engines and transmissions are completly different (including the blocks), so a VE trans can't be used with a VG engine.
I'm not sure why the studs break onthe 3rd gens, since the same engine is used in the 2nd gens and they don't break. I suspect it's related to the motor mounts getting worn. This lets the engine rock more, and with the exhaust hanging off like a canterliver it puts more stress on the studs.

 

Are you sure?? I know you probably can't bolt dohc heads onto a VG block but are you 100% sure the mounting holes for the trannies are different?? I have changed manual trannies on both the VE and VG maximas. The bellhousing bolt patterns look exactly the same to me. Nissan has a history of using as many of the same parts as possible. I don't see Nissan changing the bellhousing bolt pattern just for the VE. That would mean between 1994 and 1995, Nissan would have 3 different manuals to tool.

 

Does it matter that this involves automatics instead of 5-speeds?

Nissan------share parts-----surely you jest!

 

Well yes and no. Autos or manuals, they still have attach to the same iron block. From what I hear the auto VE tranny is the same as the VQ auto tranny?

 

I know this is off-topic and a far off question, but doesn't the 300ZX 1990+ use the VG block? If so, you can get the twin can 24 valve heads from there, right? Maybe? hehe...

BTW, I stopped by to look at the car yesterday, didn't get to look inside as the person gave me the address of where the car was parked, and it's a 1989 GXE and not an SE. As far as I can tell, for 89-91, the only differences between GXE and SE were: sunroof, fog lights, spoiler, premium sound, gauges, and sport tuned suspension. Is that correct? Thanks.

-V

One more question, it seems like lots of parts interchange between the 3rd gen and 4th gen. If that's the case, and the 3rd gen had LSD, would that fit into a 4th gen?

 

1) No they won't.
2) Yes, that's about right. Engines are the same.
3) In theory yes, in reality, who knows?

 

Ugh.....Jeff's gonna make me break out my FSM tonight for some light reading on the trannies....

 

I hate to but in.But the VE auto is the same tranny as the VQ auto.A mechanic at the Nissan of Orange told me this.

 

Sorry I was wrong, i.e. trannies. I probably got the alloy block of the VQ confused with the iron one in the VE. The VE was also used in the Infiniti J30, along with the ZX300.

 

is this the ticks you hear after you park and shut off the engine? what causes the ticks?

 

Sorry, that's not true.....different models (I thought the same thing). I'll do a search to prove this in a minute.

 

this tick sound is caused by thermal contraction of metal parts in the hot parts of the car, mainly exhaust section. when the car is running, the exhaust gas temperatures can get really hot, causing the metal to expand. when you turn off the car, or get off the freeway, it starts cooling off right away.

-V

 

The J30 and the 300z, used the iron blocked VG30DE. The same dohc motor from the na 300zx, not the VE30DE from the maxima. The VE30DE is unique to the 92-94 Se maximas only. If they were offered in Japan or Europe, I don't know.

 

Well you know how the Nissan mechanics are.He told me this yesterday as a matter of fact.Then he also wouldnt let me get a word in.As he said this remark also "There really isnt NO high performance parts for any imports only Domestics"I didnt say a word.I dont think he knows much.

 

I never knew until this thread that the VG and VE were completely different engines. I just always thought the the 3rd gens all used VG engines. Guess I was wrong...

The specs on the VG engine make it look quite torqy by making most of it's power down low, even when compared to the VQ...

-V

 

Just remember:

Nissan mechanic = oxymoron

Nissan Customer Service = Nissan mechanic