- #169 of 499
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Re: THREAD FOR ACTION! Nissan Altima 2002 oil burning/engine failure [isileli]
by electricdesign
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Jan 23, 2008 (8:33 pm)
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Replying to: isileli (Jan 23, 2008 5:57 pm)
I am glad that you posted your comments, it has shown me that I need to make some important clairifications. I assume you have read all the messeges from at least #75 on to this one. If not, please be sure to do so.
Now to clear up the misconception. I understand how this could be misunderstood by non technical people, because that is who this forum is mostly for. I've worked on cars all my life, I've worked as a line mechanic in 3 american car dealerships in the 1970's and at a national transmission repair chain, but I retired from that work and found a better way to make a living. I still do all my own work however, and maintain a well equipped garage to work in. My prescence here is to help people and give advice if I can. I have been especially angered by this Nissan Altima 2.5 engine problem because it directly involved my daughters car and has costed me time and money (but not nearly as much as most of you). I have heard of the needless problems and pain of the Nissan Altima owners, and I do deeply sympathize with you.
Here is the misconception, many owners are thinking the engine is bad, BUT it is NOT the engine that is bad. It is the EXHAUST SYSTEM that is bad. The Cats are in the exhaust system, and when the Cat goes bad, it ruins the engine by contaminating the engine. If the Cats were made correctly and did not throw their contents into the engine, the engine would probably live a "normal" life. The REAL solution should have been for Nissan to use quality made Catalytic Converters, that would permanently contain the chemical. It may have just been a poor choice by Nissan to use that particular Cat. I don't know where they get them from, and I don't know where they are made, but I hope that they are now using better Cats in the new Altimas.
Once the Cat messes up the engine by throwing the chemical into the engine, which causes the piston rings and clyinders to wear out, then the engine IS BAD, and usually has to be replaced.
The solution to the problem is to NOT let the CAT eat up the engine. This is a touchy subject, because the CAT is required by law, because it reduces pollution. It also depends on where you live and if you are required to subject you car to emissions testing. What happens sometimes is that the chemicals and screens inside of the CAT breaks apart and the contents of the Cat is blown down the exhaust pipe. If the material happens to be blown out the muffler and out the tailpipe, then the material is no longer a threat to the engine, because it is gone. However, since it is gone, the oxygen sensors in the exhaust system, one before the Cat and one after the CAT, will detect that the CAT is not working and will throw the Diagnostic Trouble Code "Catalytic Converter Efficiency below threshold" or some such messege, and will cause the "service engine soon" light to come on. If the CATs get blown out, the engine will run fine, you would have to live with the "SES" light on all the time, if you can.
Last but not least - Don't ever let your Altima engine overheat. The heat will warp the head and blow the head gasket, maybe crack the head, requiring the engine teardown for head gasket replacement and cylinder head rebuild (read messeges #103 - #113).
About the issue of whether to fix the car or trade it in, that is a matter of money, compare the cost of repair and aggrevation against the trade in value. Unfortunately, I think you lose either way, it's just a matter of how much you lose. Only you can decide how to spend your money.
Hope this helps,
E.D. in Sunny Florida
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- #170 of 499
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Re: THREAD FOR ACTION! Nissan Altima 2002 oil burning/engine failure [electricdesign]
by ken75
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Jan 24, 2008 (7:22 am)
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Replying to: electricdesign (Jan 23, 2008 8:33 pm)
With all these lovely problems that Nissan is having, is there a web site or government program which lists all recalls or problems in the auto industry. Nissans reticence to address these problems has put something of a burr under my saddle even though I have not had a problem, and should not have a problem, with our 2008 Altima 2.5 SL. As my Dad used to say, "something smells rotton in Denmark" and Nissan had better step up to the plate before the issue really starts to effect there bottom line. America's pocket books are tightening up and any whisper of poor product performance can and has squashed a product line. Now that I have spent a bundle on this car, which I really like, it pains me to see the potential for future problems and I hope that either changes have been made in the 2008 model or Nissan will start to take care of business.
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- #171 of 499
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Re: THREAD FOR ACTION! Nissan Altima 2002 oil burning/engine failure [ken75]
by aguarino
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Jan 24, 2008 (7:52 am)
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Replying to: ken75 (Jan 24, 2008 7:22 am)
Any not aware of any design changes for the 2008, if fact the 2006 is now showing engine problems, the same engine that is in the 2002-3-4-5-6-7. I have 3 of these-(1) 2002 and (2) 2003 in this family, and we like the car. Only the 2002 has hit the 80,000 mile mark when all the problems surface. Nissan had not returned any of my calls, and I call routinely. The dealer has been simpathetic but "oh well the car has miles on it and these things happen". Some of the service men working for the dealership in town, it's rumored, that there are several engines being replaced at a cost to the customer of $4000.00 each. Of course, Nissan is very closed mouth about this. I think this is a crime! I reported my problems to Nissan North America, Consumer Affairs, the National investagative division for auto recalls, and the attorney general in my state. I am looking for a class action filing against Nissan on this problem. They are already in a class action for another issue. I wish you well. Enjoy the car while you can.
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- #172 of 499
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Re: THREAD FOR ACTION! Nissan Altima 2002 oil burning/engine failure [isileli]
by aguarino
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Jan 24, 2008 (8:07 am)
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Replying to: isileli (Jan 23, 2008 5:57 pm)
I would like to keep my 3 Nissans also, but do we take the chance? Look at the recalls on the 2006 motors. These are the same one used in the 2002-3-4-5-6. What can you expect? I chose to repair the 2002 that was down, I had to.I am looking for a Toyota or Honda to replace it. The other 2 Nissans will be gone before fall. And I have purchased Nissan most of my life, from the days of the Datsun (300,000 miles) and I sold it. But never again. This family will be going to a more reliable auto.
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- #174 of 499
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Re: 2002 Altima with "THE" oil problem [czander]
by laura19
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Jan 25, 2008 (10:03 am)
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Replying to: czander (Jan 06, 2008 9:56 am)
I have a 2002 Altima S as well. I have had unexplained oil consumption and was told that I needed the valve cover gasket replaced. I did that. Then my Piston # 3 was misfiring. I had my #3 coilpack and plugs replaced. Piston #3 kept misfiring. Was told by another mechanic that I should have had a Nissan coil pack and platinum plugs put in. I did that. Piston #3 still misfiring. Was told that the piston is fine, no scoring, no water coming through. Compression is fine. had the ECM re-programmed and then got a surge problem. Had Nissan re-program the idle. So far, surge problem gone but not the misfiring. No one can seem to find the problem! The Nissan dealership won't even look at my car, ever since I told them the probs. they just say to get a new engine! I used to love this car, but not anymore. I will NEVER buy another Nissan again.
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- #175 of 499
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Re: 2002 Altima with "THE" oil problem [laura19]
by jd10013
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Jan 25, 2008 (6:31 pm)
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Replying to: laura19 (Jan 25, 2008 10:03 am)
I'd go to another dealership. I doubt there is anything major wrong, and you certainly don't need a new engine. To the best of my knowledge, a misfire means the piston is in the wrong place when the plug fires. usually its a sensor or something that cause that. It can, however, be quite a pain and quite time consuming to track down. It sounds as if the dealership your dealing with simply doesn't want to take the time.
You say its an 02, which would make it just barely 6 yrs old. Is it still under warranty? even if you bought it used, most of the extended warranties transfer to the next owner.
anyhow, find yourself a good mechanic who knows how to properly diagnose a car.
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- #176 of 499
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Re: 2002 Altima with "THE" oil problem [jd10013]
by laura19
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Jan 26, 2008 (8:16 am)
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Replying to: jd10013 (Jan 25, 2008 6:31 pm)
Thanks for the input jd1003. My car is no longer under warranty. I have been looking for different mechanics and found this particular one who, I guess, I want to stay with since he seems up-front and honest, but cannot seem to fix the prob. The other 4 mechanics I went to could not fix the prob either. I have high mileage on the car (116K), bought it at 39K and have taken very good care of it. I thought Nissans were supposed to give longevity. BUT, not this make/model. Could this simply be either sensor or electrical? That's kind of what I think (and have been all along), but who am I - not a mechanic! My hands are tied here...  Has anyone else had this same prob? Help!!!
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- #177 of 499
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Re: 2002 Altima with "THE" oil problem [laura19]
by jd10013
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Jan 26, 2008 (2:25 pm)
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Replying to: laura19 (Jan 26, 2008 8:16 am)
nissans usually do last a long time, but you never know with any car. I knew somebody who had the exact same problem with a chevy blazer or something. they eventually got it to go away, but it took forever, and they don't know what did it because they replaced a lot of stuff.
my advice would be to take it to a garage that specialized in foreign cars, or another nissan dealership. It's most likely something in the electrical system, and electrical problems are a pain in the arse to track down.
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- #178 of 499
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Re: 2002 Altima with "THE" oil problem [jd10013]
by laura19
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Jan 27, 2008 (7:13 am)
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Replying to: jd10013 (Jan 26, 2008 2:25 pm)
Thanks jd. It's so frustrating. The current mechanic I am using is supposed to be a foreign specialist. Imagine? Yeah, I'm hoping that's it's only mechanical. The funny thing is that every time a mechanic "fixes" the prob (or so they think) it runs absolutely great and then I get my hands on it and it craps out. I've recently named my car "Christine". Starting to creep me out! LOL (just have to have some humor here - going nuts!)
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