- #67 of 106
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Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [div2]
by dmaljunk
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Jan 07, 2006 (11:09 pm)
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Replying to: div2 (Jan 07, 2006 8:27 pm)
no, I didn't check, in fact they were using a machine, some sort of a pump to flush and refill the antifreeze. So, if I open the air release valve and start adding antifreeze into the radiator until it starts spilling from the air release valve, should that let any air in the coolant system out? Or should I replace all antifreeze again?
You mentioned air leaks previously, how exactly do you find them. I don't see any with naked eye but may be I should listen to them or spray something on the hoses to see? Thanks
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- #68 of 106
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Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk]
by div2
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Jan 08, 2006 (7:31 am)
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Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 07, 2006 11:09 pm)
So, if I open the air release valve and start adding antifreeze into the radiator until it starts spilling from the air release valve, should that let any air in the coolant system out? Or should I replace all antifreeze again?
I'd use the procedure given in the Nissan shop manual.
You mentioned air leaks previously, how exactly do you find them.
Here's a good desciption of the procedure.
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- #69 of 106
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Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [div2]
by dmaljunk
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Jan 11, 2006 (7:08 am)
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Replying to: div2 (Jan 08, 2006 7:31 am)
div2, mechanic inspected the car more thoroughly - no air leaks, he sprayed some stuff on all vacume hoses and they are all good. He found a more serious problem though - there is oil on one fo the spark plugs, I don't know how much but there is. When he was warming it up in the morning and got bad idle, he said that it sounded like one cilynder was misfiring and when he found oil on the spark plug he said that this is it - oil leaking into one of the cylinders. He said that he would need to do exploratary surgery on the engine, open it up and if it's just seals or rings leaking oil that it will be a $200 job but if it's more then that like pistons then I am better off replacing the car. I knew about this oil leak a year ago but never thought it could cause problems I am having simply because it never happended in warm weather but he explained that when oil is cold then it takes time for it to burn off the plug and when it's warm then it doesn't have time to collect in the cylinder. For $200 I think I should try and fix it and I do hope that it's just the seals/rings. What do you think about all this, does this sound like a cause for the cold engine idle/stalling problems I've been having? Can you explain what an oil leaking into the cylinder would be causing and why did it start leaking in the first place. I appreciate your help. Thanks
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- #70 of 106
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Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk]
by div2
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Jan 11, 2006 (9:26 am)
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Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 11, 2006 7:08 am)
Well, I don't see any way that you could get rings replaced for only $200, so your mechanic must be talking about just the valve seals. Has a compression and/or cylinder leakdown test been performed?
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- #71 of 106
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Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [div2]
by dmaljunk
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Jan 11, 2006 (7:57 pm)
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Replying to: div2 (Jan 11, 2006 9:26 am)
Not sure but would these tests determine exactly what the problem is and what is leaking?
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- #72 of 106
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Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk]
by div2
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Jan 12, 2006 (10:05 am)
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Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 11, 2006 7:57 pm)
Either tests would give you a good indication as to whether the rings in that cylinder are in bad shape.
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- #73 of 106
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Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jan 12, 2006 (11:50 am)
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Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 11, 2006 7:57 pm)
compression test can easily fool you into making false conclusions (for instance you can have good compression and lousy oil rings) but a cylinder leakdown test is pretty conclusive.
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- #74 of 106
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Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [Mr_Shiftright]
by dmaljunk
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Jan 12, 2006 (1:30 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 12, 2006 11:50 am)
can you advise how the cylinder leakdown test is performed? Does it require disassembly of engine parts? Also, if I have oil on one spark plug and I have symptoms only on cold mornings until the car warms up then does that sound serious or as div2 suggested, can it be only the oil valve seals?
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- #75 of 106
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Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jan 12, 2006 (4:05 pm)
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Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 12, 2006 1:30 pm)
No no disassembly required. You just remove the spark plugs one at a time and insert a special plug that allows you to fill the cylinder with compressed air. You then measure the % of leakage over a period of time. The nice part is that if you make sure the tested cylinder is on TDC (both valves closed) then if there is a leak you can actually hear it out the tailpipe (exhaust valve) or air cleaner (intake valve, guides, etc.) or in the crankcase (piston rings).
I'm not sure but I don't think cylinder leakdown is a good test for bad valve stem seals---you can test that easily on a road test....
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- #76 of 106
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Screeching noise, probably not from belts.
by frostycpu
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Jan 16, 2006 (12:48 pm)
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Hey, I own a dodge colt 200GT '92. I've been having problems in cold (well, doesn't need to be that cold) weather. What happens is, I turn on my car and everything is running great. But, let's say I turn on my fan/lights/wippers, my car starts to make a somewhat loud screeching noise.
I've tested this while being on the highway. At some point, it started screeching while I was driving. What I did is I turned off my plug-in heater (through the lighter), and turned down my fans a notch and the screeching stopped right away.
Im wondering if my alternator could be starting to break down and if I should replace it. It seems that it only does this noise when I use a lot of electricity.
Thanks for the help!
P.S Feel free to email your answer ;D
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