Hey guys, I just bought an 08 with 240,000 km (149,000 Mi) and she runs good and smooth actually impressed with its power. Overall its good mechanically at first glance and this car has a good service record from various nissan dealers over the years. Im going to do an engine flush today and throw some fresh oil in it, but I wanted your Maxima guys's input on anything these cars are notorious for that i should take a close look at. Steering components, axle shafts, timing chain/belts indicators. I dont have specific papoerwork saying timing was done, but I know its a big one for any car with high miles, any tell tale signs that would indicate its been done or is about to **** the bed lol.

Changed oil, looks good under there but the passenger side output of the trans leaks a bit. not flowing but evidence of wetness, otherwise decent. No serviceable parts eh all the joints are non greasable? Also it has the airbag light going so i dug into it, 3 sec on, 2 sec off the 2 flashes. research says drivers airbag module, is there a way to confirm this? resistance testing or anything?


thanks guys

 

Check the radiator and AC system for leaks.
Check the oil pan and oil cooler lines for corrosion.
Use high mileage oil and tranny fluid only at that mileage, may save you from lots of grief about leaks.

 

will do, another question. Ive bought lots of parts from wreckers for my bronco and am familiar with the number they write on stuff with a paint marker. Ive never seen a stock part be numbered w/ yellow paint marker. When i was rooting around under there I noticed the block has a number on the passenger side. Im thinking this engine was replaced? no paper work to support my suspicion but regardless I would hope that it at least has less miles on it than the odometer .ha

 

The only big engine problem with the VQ is that plastic chain tensioner guides wear off and chain is slapping, making noise. If you think your engine has way over 100k miles, inspect the chain guides.

Another known not-so-engine related problem is pre-cat material falling apart and getting sucked into the engine. If pre-cats are very old, you should look into replacing or gutting them if you can get away with that.

 

I actually have a friend with a frontier and the cats deteriorating and working into the engine cost him 10k for a motor and some other headaches. Ill more than likely pull em of. On that topic, I can gut them and not worry about it. But what will that do for the Engine management, will the sensors just see the unpolished air and adjust accordingly or will she throe codes? I was also tempted rather than gutting but welding up my own down pipes with bungs, Will the big empty pocket not hurt some of the scavenging flow in the exhaust?

 

This forum has tons of posts about gutting pre-cats. You need a defouler or a chip to go with it. Headers are a similar deal.

 

Copy that, Ill dig around. thanks for the info on the pre tensioner's too!

 

Hey guys, I cant find any info on locating the specific part ( model) number of my transmission, Is there a tag on it someplace?

 

Tranny code on the tag on the firewall below the engine code and stuff.