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Cold Weather Problems

112 messages,  Last post on Jan 15, 2011 at 9:26 AM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Electrical, Engine, Fuel System, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 9 of 12

#73 of 112 Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 12, 2006 (12:50 pm)

Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 11, 2006 8:57 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.

#74 of 112 Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [Mr_Shiftright] by dmaljunk

Jan 12, 2006 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 12, 2006 12:50 pm)
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?

#75 of 112 Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 12, 2006 (5:05 pm)

Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 12, 2006 2:30 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....

#76 of 112 Screeching noise, probably not from belts. by frostycpu

Jan 16, 2006 (1:48 pm)

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

#77 of 112 Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [Mr_Shiftright] by dmaljunk

Jan 17, 2006 (9:20 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 12, 2006 5:05 pm)
OK, my cold weather bad idling and stalling issue was fixed. It was an EGR valve tube, which goes out of the manifold and into the EGR. It was clogged and that was causing too much pressure and eventually caused oil leak. The saw the oil leak and when the manifold was removed they saw the clogged valve and determined it to be the cause of my problems. I had that tube cleaned, oil seals and gaskets replaced and manifold gasket replaced as well. Not an expansive repair and the problem is fixed, car idles perfectly on a cold mornig. Thanks to all for your help. One question - what caused this tube to get clogged? Bad gas?

#78 of 112 Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 17, 2006 (11:37 am)

Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 17, 2006 9:20 am)
Nah, EGRs just clog up with age. But I don't think that had anything to do with your oil leaks. That's a PCV valve issue. EGR is exhaust gas recirculation. A clogged PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve can cause excessive crankcase pressure and oil leaks. So you're mixing two things up there---but no matter, the car's running great so that's good news.

#79 of 112 Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [Mr_Shiftright] by dmaljunk

Jan 20, 2006 (9:51 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 17, 2006 11:37 am)
Question, and this is pretty specific. They replaced the Valve Cover gaskets, both the main gasket and the spark plug tube seals. The mechanic noticed that the three original front seals are thicker then the rear three. The front valve cover seemed to have deeper wholes for seals then in the rear. However the set that they got from parts store had all six same spark plug tube seals. The seals from the set had "made in Japan" on them but it wasn't from Nissan, some aftermarket. Nissan dealer doesn't sell this set, they only sell it with volve covers. Now, is this possible that three spark plug tube seals should be thicker then the other three? Why would that be? The mechanic installed them because originals were leaking, they went in fine but he had his doubts. I am not experiencing any noticeable issues with the car right now but I don't know if a tiny leak at that seal would be noticeable any way...
 
I will go to AutoZone to look at their gasket sets but let me know if this sounds strange to you...
 
Thanks

#80 of 112 Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 21, 2006 (3:42 pm)

Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 20, 2006 9:51 pm)
It does sound weird but sometimes engineers will do weird things. I always try to buy gaskets strictly from the dealer for this reason. They FIT.

#81 of 112 Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [Mr_Shiftright] by dmaljunk

Jan 23, 2006 (11:36 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 21, 2006 3:42 pm)
ye, agreed but Nissan sells the set with valve covers and it's like $220... Why do I need new valve covers, what, they can't sell just the gasket set... Damn...

#82 of 112 Re: Nissan Maxima 2000 cold start problem [dmaljunk] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 23, 2006 (1:16 pm)

Replying to: dmaljunk (Jan 23, 2006 11:36 am)
That I don't know...that also sounds suspicious to me...maybe you should try another dealer.

Messages Page 9 of 12

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