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Nissan Altima Maintenance and Repair

2702 messages,  Last post on May 06, 2013 at 12:49 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 183 of 271

#1818 of 2702 Re: 2004 Altima issues [ray_h1] by ccat1

Nov 23, 2006 (4:55 pm)

Replying to: ray_h1 (Nov 23, 2006 2:05 pm)
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! The problem started after the factory warranty had worn out. At the moment the car has just over 59,000 miles on it. There is no exhaust other than the harmless condensation cloud. I've had a couple of different mechanics look at the car(no, none of them are certified Nissan dealers, I originally thought it was something small and didn't want to be charged 94.50 an hour..yes, that's what they charge in Rhode Island). I've had 2 tell me that it's something that requires me to have the engine taken apart and the top half of the engine cleaned and resurfaced. Another thinks it's an electric problem causing a misfiring. Unfortunately, the car isn't worth what I owe and it's not feasible for me to trade it in. I've already tried. My only option is to try and fix the problem. I'm just hoping that someone else has had this issue and can tell me how much I'm looking at. It's good to know that those things are covered for a bit longer though, I didn't know that and I thank you for the info!!

#1819 of 2702 Re: 2004 Altima issues [ccat1] by electricdesign

Nov 23, 2006 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: ccat1 (Nov 23, 2006 11:06 am)
To get the answer you are looking for, you need to provide all complete information, such as what engine is in your car, they make a 4 cylinder inline and a V6. The engine situation does not sound good, it should not be fouling plugs for many many years, well over 150,000 miles. You mention errors, but do not give the Diagnostic Troble Codes (DTC's), you must get them from the mechanic and post them here. I don't have a cystal ball to see what kind of engine you have and what is wrong with it. Give us all the information, and all the history.
The fouling can come from too much oil in the combustion chambers, or it can come from a faulty ignition system.
I seem to remember reading that some of the Altimas in some years had a problem with bad piston rings from the factory. I would look into that further, maybe Nissan would take care of it, but I am not sure how many years or miles they cover. They may be able to tell if you had the problem by your VIN number. Do some Google reasearch on it, and you should uncover something on it, like this:
 
Nissan Altima Recall # 06V223000- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Component:
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS.
 
Consequences:
IF THE OIL IS NOT MAINTAINED AT LEAST AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL, ENGINE DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AND IN EXTREME CASES RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
 
Remedy:
NISSAN HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. ON JUNE 9, 2006, NISSAN NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE OIL AT A PROPER LEVEL. FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO OWNERS ADVISING THEM OF THE STATUS OF THE RECALL WAS SENT DURING AUGUST 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

#1820 of 2702 Re: 2004 Altima issues [ccat1] by atma97

Nov 24, 2006 (3:37 am)

Replying to: ccat1 (Nov 23, 2006 11:06 am)
If there is no oil consumption and spark plugs are not flooded with oil, it’s good news. Engine rings, pistons and cylinders are still tight together. You just need to focus on electrical parts. The car bucking wildly is because of misfired due to ignition problem. I would replace both spark plug and ignition coil on the bad one. Crank shaft sensor problem is easy to fix. If not sure how to get it done, just buy an oem one from a Nissan dealer and ask a mechanic to replace it for you. It should not take him more than 10 minutes (I’ve done it myself.) Drive the car at least a few days to break-in new parts before any further adjustment. I believe this is not a big problem since I’ve been driving Nissan and Infiniti cars for many years.

#1821 of 2702 Re: 2004 Altima issues [atma97] by ccat1

Nov 24, 2006 (8:34 am)

Replying to: atma97 (Nov 24, 2006 3:37 am)
I can't provide any codes, I don't have them. I'm a mo and didn't write them down. I just know what they say when they run a diagnostic. The first time it happened it said it was a misfire. The next few times, it's been the crank shaft sensor and this last time something about the rpm's being off. I've read on this board that you need to replace the cam sensor when you replace the crank shaft sensor..is that true? The spark plug has been replaced each time this occurs. Not so for the ignition coil. I'll have to get these parts and have the mechanic replace them. I'm going over there today, I'll see if I can get the codes...oh and there is no major oil consumption. It appears to be burning oil normally...

#1822 of 2702 Re: 2004 Altima issues [ccat1] by electricdesign

Nov 26, 2006 (9:53 pm)

Replying to: ccat1 (Nov 24, 2006 8:34 am)
The OBDII codes (DTC'S) will provide information on where the trouble is, they DO NOT pinpoint the problem and tell you what parts to replace. The codes steer you in the right direction towards resolving the problem, the mechanic still has to use logic and diagnostic skills to find and repair the problem. Just throwing parts at it (Plugs, coils, etc)is NOT the answer. The plugs would have to be replaced since they are badly fouled, but the codes will point at the crankshaft sensor circuit, or engine missfires, etc, and the mechanic must know how to test each circuit and each component of that circuit. For instance, if the code was for "EGR excessive flow", that does not mean replace the EGR valve, because it might be the EGR regulator, or a broken or leaky hose, or a clogged passage or orifice.
BOTTOM LINE IS: A good mechanic will know how to read and interpret the codes, and know how to troubleshoot and repair the problem. If the mechanic doesn't know how to fix the problem, find another mechanic.

#1823 of 2702 Re: 2004 Altima issues [electricdesign] by ccat1

Nov 27, 2006 (8:51 am)

Replying to: electricdesign (Nov 26, 2006 9:53 pm)
I was at the mechanics again on Friday, getting yet another spark plug replaced. I can remember 2 of the codes. P0420 and P0735. I can't remember the third. At my request, he stuck a magnet down into the shaft and the magnet came out with oil on it, as well as small metal shavings. I saw them with my own eyes, I was standing there when he did it. This to me doesn't sound good. He made some remark about how it could be a ring smashing up against the spark plug causing it the gap to be closed.

#1824 of 2702 Re: 2005 feels like driving on square wheels [dball] by lynva

Nov 27, 2006 (9:33 am)

Replying to: dball (Jun 17, 2005 11:55 am)
I HAVE A 03 V6 ALTIMA THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM YOU DESCRIBE. AFTER 3 SETS OF TIRES AND NUMEROUS BALANCE JOBS INCLUDING 2 HUNTER ROAD FORCE BALANCE AND GOING TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS I STILL HAVE THE VIBRATION. THE ONLY THING THEY CAN SAY IS I HAVE A "TIRE ISSUE". SO DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID TO FIX YOUR PROBLEM?? THANKS ALOT

#1825 of 2702 94 Altima GLE battery keeps getting drained by amao

Nov 27, 2006 (11:49 am)

I can jump start the car and it will drive fine. Head lights work and no battery light comes on. If I drive it at least once per day, I will be OK most of the time. But if I let the car sit for more than a day, the battery will be completely drained. I have had the clamp terminal cleaned. My battery brand is "interstate" and is less than 2-year. Is it a bad battery or alternator? Please help!

#1826 of 2702 Re: 94 Altima GLE battery keeps getting drained [amao] by electricdesign

Nov 27, 2006 (2:49 pm)

Replying to: amao (Nov 27, 2006 11:49 am)
You need to do some electrical diagnosis or else have it done. You need to connect a volt meter to your battery and measure how many volts you have before cranking, then with motor idleing and headlights off, then at with motor idleing with lights, AC and wipers on. There should be at least 12.6 volts with motor off, 13 to 14.2 volts with motor idleing with lights off, and at least 12.7 volts with motor idling with lights and everything else on, and volts should go up to over 13 volts if you rev up the motor to fast idle. If car sets over night and volts go way low, you have a heavy parasitic current draw, look for any lights that may be left on, dome, glove box, trunk, etc. If you can't see it, I can post how to check for it, it you are electrically capable.
Good Luck,
E.D. ISF

#1827 of 2702 Re: 2004 Altima issues [ccat1] by electricdesign

Nov 27, 2006 (3:10 pm)

Replying to: ccat1 (Nov 27, 2006 8:51 am)
Wow, this does not sound good. How did the spark plug look, smashed up? Your first descriptions were that they were dark and gaps closed up, I took that as being that the gaps were bridged with carbon. But if the gaps are BENT closed and you have metal particles in the combustion chambers, it sounds VERY serious, it could go back to what I said about the piston ring problems. You may need to Check with Nissan about that piston ring Recall problem.
The codes I'm not sure about:
P0420 is Catalyst System Efficiency below Threshold, which is likely caused by oil contamination caused by the engine in the catalytic converter.
P0735 is something about an incorrect gear ratio, not sure about that one.
You big problem is OIL CONTROL in your engine. You should have the mechanic do a cylinder compression test on each clyinder of your engine, and report the compression of each clyinder here. They should all be within 20% of each other and not very low overall. If you have low compression in one or more clyinders, it could be Rings, or valves, or head gaskets or the valve timing or cam timing could be messed up.
Good Luck
E.D.

Messages Page 183 of 271

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