Some how I've become the neighborhood expert I think I need to move. The neighbor approached me and asked what do I think could be wrong with their 02 Altima 2.5L with 190k. Starts and runs for a moment then stalls out. Mechanic told them it was the fuel pump... could be. The problem is it burns 5 quarts of oil a week and has blow by bad enough pull the oil cap looks like a chimney. I told them $200 for a fuel pump sounds like a waste of money probably be better off junking it. A new engine runs over a $1k from what they said.. told them they could buy a good used car for that. Which years did the cat break up and kill the engines? Also told them that was a possibility wouldn't recommend a used engine.
Approached by the neighbors
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Don't hold a knife to my neck, but I think '02 was one of the years where cats were the problem.
Book it into the Nissan dealer, see what they will do.
Book it into the Nissan dealer, see what they will do.
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Burns 5qts Holy Testicle Tuesday batman!!!! drop in a used engine those motors are fairly cheap is the install that gets ya.
Jeff
Jeff
Wow! Holy cow. When I was in college there was this guy who used to drive around with cases of Kmart oil in his trunk as his car burned a quart about every 50 miles.
Run away from this one, sheesh.
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
The problem is it burns 5 quarts of oil a week
Run away from this one, sheesh.
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
The problem is it burns 5 quarts of oil a week
take it off their hands for cheap, fix it and turn it for a profit. almost any running car, is worth 2-3k these days
I have been experiencing a similar problem with our '02 Maxima with the 3.5. There is actually a recall on the camshaft position sensor that has been reported to have similar symptoms. We actually have a scheduled appointment on Thursday for the dealer to perform the recall.
Pre-cats were 02-04 really... Nissan cleaned up the 05-06 models of the third gen (which im sure will be argued against on many other forums). It could be from the cat breaking up, but that sounds like multiple problems rather than just the dreaded pre-cat issue imo. Any lights triggered on the dash or codes thrown?
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A new engine runs $1000.00 ??
Are you talking about a new car engine ??
Are you talking about a new car engine ??
again, IMO pre-cat issues on Nissan was wwwaaaayy overrated, perpetually amplified/echoed by the internet.
Regardless, it's best to get a salvage yard engine and then go from there. afterall: 5 qt a week is definitely a mosquito fogger even in Kansas City so I wouldn't bet on it for lasting a few more months.
Q.
Regardless, it's best to get a salvage yard engine and then go from there. afterall: 5 qt a week is definitely a mosquito fogger even in Kansas City so I wouldn't bet on it for lasting a few more months.
Q.
If he can get a "new" engine for about 1k they should do it! I bet it's a junkyard engine for that price.
Originally Posted By: Hootbro
Where are these good used cars for $1K?
Yes, same question here
Where are these good used cars for $1K?
Yes, same question here
These Nissan Altima people are getting to be as whacky as Saturn people.
your engine is done. the early 2.5 was and still is notorious for dislodging the intake valves. plus the timing chain tensioner issues.
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Tell them to junk the Japanese,buy a 1994 Dodge Spirit 4 cylinder and never look back.At least with that they can plan on a head gasket every 60-80,000 and they wont be surprised by it.
Once you're good at it you can do it in the time of a semi-complicated timing belt... and at about the same interval!
Tell them to junk the Japanese,buy a 1994 Dodge Spirit 4 cylinder and never look back.At least with that they can plan on a head gasket every 60-80,000 and they wont be surprised by it.
Once you're good at it you can do it in the time of a semi-complicated timing belt... and at about the same interval!
Quote:
again, IMO pre-cat issues on Nissan was wwwaaaayy overrated, perpetually amplified/echoed by the internet.
Really, wayyyy overrated? Well everyone is entitled to an opinion. Having personally been one many many victims of Nissan's [censored] precats, it's only amplified if you've not been a victim of the lousy precat design that renders otherwise well maintained engines terminal and the vehicle useless. 02-03 2.5L are the prime victims and all those precats that have not been modified, which is illegal in many/most states, will sooner than later destroy the engine. Some later 2.5L's and some Nissan V6's to a lesser extent will suffer the same fate. The latter of which is also verified/confirmed and posted with pics on this site. Below is my thread relating my experience. So in my personal experience and every other 02-03 2.5L owner, not overated one bit. It's indisputable fact.
The OP's engine most certainly has the faulty precat issue and obviously the engine is toast and has been for some time.
As for used engine, wouldn't want either the 02-03 or close years, and the precats need to be addressed too, or the same thing will happen. Depending on car condition, an engine might be an option but who knows if it's truly worth it. I empathize with your neighbors, sadly another 2.5L owner hung out to dry by Nissan.
No more Nissans, my experience.
again, IMO pre-cat issues on Nissan was wwwaaaayy overrated, perpetually amplified/echoed by the internet.
Really, wayyyy overrated? Well everyone is entitled to an opinion. Having personally been one many many victims of Nissan's [censored] precats, it's only amplified if you've not been a victim of the lousy precat design that renders otherwise well maintained engines terminal and the vehicle useless. 02-03 2.5L are the prime victims and all those precats that have not been modified, which is illegal in many/most states, will sooner than later destroy the engine. Some later 2.5L's and some Nissan V6's to a lesser extent will suffer the same fate. The latter of which is also verified/confirmed and posted with pics on this site. Below is my thread relating my experience. So in my personal experience and every other 02-03 2.5L owner, not overated one bit. It's indisputable fact.
The OP's engine most certainly has the faulty precat issue and obviously the engine is toast and has been for some time.
As for used engine, wouldn't want either the 02-03 or close years, and the precats need to be addressed too, or the same thing will happen. Depending on car condition, an engine might be an option but who knows if it's truly worth it. I empathize with your neighbors, sadly another 2.5L owner hung out to dry by Nissan.
No more Nissans, my experience.
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