Background - Acquired a free 03 Maxima 3.5L for a new driver. 140k on body, unknown engine miles. Young female PO gave up on it, her Dad bought her a new car. Sat for approx 3 years outside in the dirt. Mouse squirrel infested, rusted underneath, under hood pretty good. Body excellent considering. PO says all it needs is muffler, alternator. Engine swap 40k ago.
Looking into the alternator claim I started it a few times for tests. At first the engine was idling ok, no rapping. Then things went downhill. Began to shake, vibrate. Oil was low, added 3 qts 5w30. Coolant low, added 3 qts Zerex Asian Blue. Service engine soon light was on! I puty the car in self diag mode to get the following code.
Looks like P0304 which is a misfire.
According to online info thats the front middle. I had to spray the mouse nests and acorns off the engine before swapping coils and plugs
No pics but #4 cyl's Iridim plug was pretty wet with oil. Swapped plug and coil with #2 cyl to the left. Both plugs pretty worn down. Reconnected battery, same code. The code stays with that cylinder. I am not clearing with a code reader, using the Nissan diag/accelerator pedal procedure.
I figure do all the basics before giving up assuming the PO killed a second engine. Throttle body off, saturated with oil.
Want to take what looks like an upper intake manifold off for a peek. Do I have to worry about coolant? Or does that aluminum upper intake pop right off? Can I get to/see the valves/cylinder from there? want to try a soak. Maybe a ring is stuck.
Looking into the alternator claim I started it a few times for tests. At first the engine was idling ok, no rapping. Then things went downhill. Began to shake, vibrate. Oil was low, added 3 qts 5w30. Coolant low, added 3 qts Zerex Asian Blue. Service engine soon light was on! I puty the car in self diag mode to get the following code.
Looks like P0304 which is a misfire.
According to online info thats the front middle. I had to spray the mouse nests and acorns off the engine before swapping coils and plugs
No pics but #4 cyl's Iridim plug was pretty wet with oil. Swapped plug and coil with #2 cyl to the left. Both plugs pretty worn down. Reconnected battery, same code. The code stays with that cylinder. I am not clearing with a code reader, using the Nissan diag/accelerator pedal procedure.
I figure do all the basics before giving up assuming the PO killed a second engine. Throttle body off, saturated with oil.
Want to take what looks like an upper intake manifold off for a peek. Do I have to worry about coolant? Or does that aluminum upper intake pop right off? Can I get to/see the valves/cylinder from there? want to try a soak. Maybe a ring is stuck.