I'm going to look at an 89 maxima and she said that it started to knock on the freeway and she pulled over. All the oil was on the ground when she got out... She then had it towed to her house. She said that it will turn over and start but won't tell me anything else.What should I look for... the knocking noise before she pulled over... what could cause the oil to come out? oil pan, drain plug, head gasket... what else should I look for?
Thanks
Scott
Buying 89 maxima... What could be wrong with it / What should I look for?
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scottkern3
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- Joined: Tue May 22, 2007 10:34 am
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mtcookson
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1992 Iinfiniti Q45
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Knocking is probably a bad bearing from no oil. I'd first check the drain plug on the oil pan, oil filter, and the oil pan. Those would be most likely places for oil to come out like that. If I were to buy it, I'd personally just buy another VG30E and swap it in. They are so inexpensive these days that you could buy one and swap it in for cheaper than rebuilding the stock engine.
One thing to definitely look for is rust. Check the rear lower portion of the rear doors. If there's rust there it usually means there's bad rust in the rear of the car.
I'd also check the driver's side rear seat belt tensioner. Rust can get very bad in that area due to an issue with the fuel filler tube. There was a recall on them due to stuff from the road getting caught between the tube and the body causing bad body rust and even rusting out the tube causing potential fire risks. Open the trunk and try wiggling the seat belt tensioner. If it is loose its highly likely that the area is getting rusted badly and if that is the case... I personally wouldn't buy it.
My Maxima has severe rust in the rear that I think makes it very unsafe to drive. The strut towers are rusted in many areas that I think makes it structurally unsafe.
Also check the mileage if its an auto. The autos tend to be a bit unreliable. Another Maxima of mine had an auto transmission go out right around 100k miles. Since you likely won't be able to drive it that will make it even harder to check the transmission so that's another thing to consider, especially since transmission rebuilds run over $1,000 easily (I believe mine cost between $1,500 to $1,800 to rebuild).
The Maxima can definitely be a great car, I absolutely loved both of mine, but they can have some issues that can be a head ache. The engines are indestructible when cared for. Keep the fluids in check and the engine will last longer than you'd ever want to keep a car. One big thing I would do if it has an auto transmission is get an aftermarket cooler for it. That will help it last much longer.
The manual trannies tend to be a little more reliable than the auto trannies but do still have their issues. The biggest being the input shaft bearing. For some reason they used a bearing that didn't quite have good enough load ratings for the VG. Most just put in a used transmission, many use the 5-speed from the 92-94 SE that had the VE as they're slightly better and usually has a limit slip differential. Bolt pattern is the same so it bolts right up to the VG but you will need the hubs and axles as they're a little larger.
Hope this helps. Don't hesitate to let us know if you need some more info!
One thing to definitely look for is rust. Check the rear lower portion of the rear doors. If there's rust there it usually means there's bad rust in the rear of the car.
I'd also check the driver's side rear seat belt tensioner. Rust can get very bad in that area due to an issue with the fuel filler tube. There was a recall on them due to stuff from the road getting caught between the tube and the body causing bad body rust and even rusting out the tube causing potential fire risks. Open the trunk and try wiggling the seat belt tensioner. If it is loose its highly likely that the area is getting rusted badly and if that is the case... I personally wouldn't buy it.
My Maxima has severe rust in the rear that I think makes it very unsafe to drive. The strut towers are rusted in many areas that I think makes it structurally unsafe.
Also check the mileage if its an auto. The autos tend to be a bit unreliable. Another Maxima of mine had an auto transmission go out right around 100k miles. Since you likely won't be able to drive it that will make it even harder to check the transmission so that's another thing to consider, especially since transmission rebuilds run over $1,000 easily (I believe mine cost between $1,500 to $1,800 to rebuild).
The Maxima can definitely be a great car, I absolutely loved both of mine, but they can have some issues that can be a head ache. The engines are indestructible when cared for. Keep the fluids in check and the engine will last longer than you'd ever want to keep a car. One big thing I would do if it has an auto transmission is get an aftermarket cooler for it. That will help it last much longer.
The manual trannies tend to be a little more reliable than the auto trannies but do still have their issues. The biggest being the input shaft bearing. For some reason they used a bearing that didn't quite have good enough load ratings for the VG. Most just put in a used transmission, many use the 5-speed from the 92-94 SE that had the VE as they're slightly better and usually has a limit slip differential. Bolt pattern is the same so it bolts right up to the VG but you will need the hubs and axles as they're a little larger.
Hope this helps. Don't hesitate to let us know if you need some more info!
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scottkern3
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue May 22, 2007 10:34 am
Re: (mtcookson)
Thanks for the quick reply. Lots of good info. She said the transmission was rebuilt last year so I don't have to worry about that. I'll let you know what I find out.