A New Engine?

[zachmedia]

I own a 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5. I have owned it for about a year and a half purchasing it from a local dealer. It has roughly 118,000 miles on it.

Last week, I replaced the O2 sensor and Catalytic converter after the mechanic suggested the check engine codes warranted a replacement.

Now the car continues to burn excessive oil and smokes during startup. It burns through about 4 qts for around 100 miles, and when putting new oil in and checking the dipstick is already pitch black. Possible cause (as noticed by others) is when the old CC disintegrated it spread into the engine causing a slow, but sure, engine failure.

I have read several people's claims online saying that this problem is infamous for 02-03 2.5Ss and, with no help from Nissan, you are on your own to replace the engine.

What is the best option for me to do?

[wade001]

Nissan should replace it (unless theirs something i dont know, why did they say they wouldn't fix/replace it?), since they'r uncooperative (dealership or nissan?) try threatening to sue the dealership/ reporting them to the better business bureau and spreading out the word. often dealerships try to wiggle out of expensive work when they should do it. if this is the case doing that might work. if your problem is not covered you should probably get a motor that is good. either way that really sucks. and if the problem is not fixed your cat and O2 sensor will go bad again, and ask your mechanic to check if there is back pressure in the exaust (should be 1-2psi max), I can't see any other way why the cat mat. would backflow into the engine.

[jwerty1]

white smoke at cold startup? blown headgasket, burning coolant at startup and misfiringuses oil? bad maintenance and/or your cat best option? thats your call, don't waste your brand new catalytic converter before you make up your mind though

[evenplayn]

Infamous problem on 02-03, happened to me. My car sat at the dealership for 2 months while I fought Nissan North America for a new engine. They will do it, just DON'T GIVE UP! Fight them on every point. It is a bad design, the pre-cat is too close to the engine and heats up too much, too fast.