Newbie to the forum.

[FabMundo]

Great site, had a chance to read some of your posts, very informative, hopefully I can add to this as well.

I had an A/C problem, turns out the guy at the local shop told me it was my "Blower Motor" and to fix it plus replace the cabin filter was going to cost me P&L a total of $340. I am not gifted when it comes to car repair but does this sound a bit too much for some of you out there? Just trying to gage some opinions. I live in California if this makes any difference, it's extremely hot outside but not sure if he's trying to rip me off.

Thanks for any advice.

Fab

[snwbrdr435]

not to sure about ac systems but get another mechanic to quote it

[acidjake75]

you can get a blower motor replacement for about 100 bucks and OEM incabin microfilters costs about 50 bucks. If I were you - I would get the FSM on your car - go buy the parts - and install them. the blower motor issue is common in the I30, I35, and the Maximas (same thing really). And the cabin micro filter should be changed annually.

GL

[MinisterofDOOM]

Welcome!

The reason for the seemingly high cost for blower motor replacement is labor. It's hard to get to and therefore racks up labor hours.

[95prmax]

Welcome!

The reason for the seemingly high cost for blower motor replacement is labor. It's hard to get to and therefore racks up labor hours.

x2 all it really is the labor charge that is usually outrageous.....other than that get a FSM and you can do it yourself.....we usually tend to do it ourselves everythign we possibly can....lmao

OH AND WELCOEM TO NICO CLUB...

[FabMundo]

FSM?? Hate to sound more newbie than I already am...but this is an acronym for?? some type of manual? I'm guessing.

Thanks for the advice...of all things I went to Sears to buy a generator and the blower motor is not even working now.

My wife asked me an interesting question: I have, I believe a 4 year or 60K basic warranty...does this cover the replacement of this item? I bought it in 04 and have only 50K on the car.

Thanks again for the advice,

Fab

[MinisterofDOOM]

FSM stands for Factory Service Manual. Same manual Nissan service techs use. You can download it in PDF format here. (It's actually the 2003 Maxima FSM, but the '02-'04 I35 is Identical to '02-'03 Maxima except exterior and a few other details).

Your warranty may very well cover the issue, yes.

[FabMundo]

Great news sort of...called Parway Infiniti and they said that indeed 4 years and 60K is the warranty and "depending" on what's wrong it should be covered...will take the ride in tomorrow at 11:00 am...of course I should have thought about that a while ago...too much focus on work.

I am optimistic but cautious.

I have bookmarked the site for the FSM and will study..after all only less than 3,000 before the warranty does expire, for real.

Thanks,

Fab

[FabMundo]

I drive my car A LOT! less than 4 years and already 57K...I have acquired a lot of small dents and dings and paint chips...I even ran over a piece of narly sheet metal some one dumped on the freeway and it tore into the front bumper and damaged the protection panels under the front of the car.

A. Can these also be replaced with the help of the FSM?

B. Can I replace the front bumper myself...is it that involved?

C. If I were to take my car in to have it repainted, do you guys think it's a good idea, like an Earl Schieb type of place any body heard if they color match?

Any opinion is appreciated.

Thanks

Fab

[MinisterofDOOM]

The proctective plastic panels underneath are very easy to replace.

The bumper is something you can do yourself using the FSM, but can be difficult to get flush and factory looking with a new part. It's one of those things I'd probably pay someone with more experience than myself to do.

I've never heard of Earl Schieb...we don't have those around here to my knowledge. Not sure what their paint quality is like. Generally, though, cheap things are cheap for a reason. I've seen some good looking low-budget paint jobs, but I've also seen a lot that fade after only a few years.

I know what you mean about driving a lot. I put 15-16 thousand miles per year on my car.

[brianw]

Earl Schieb is one of the el cheapo $300-paint-your-whole-car junk places.

HOWEVER... for a cheap paint job, they can do a semi-non-awful job. They do NOT do a good job color matching, unfortunately. (what do you expect for $300-500? :p )

Since you're in Canyon Country, head down a bit to Los Angeles itself, there are tons of very, very good body shops all over the place...

[95prmax]

I know what you mean about driving a lot. I put 15-16 thousand miles per year on my car.

i beat you on that one since november i have put close to 18k on my car

anyways back to the subject at hand....to be honest the bumper to put on is very easy its a total of 9 bolts i have removed mine plenty of times already during my project.....if you need help witht he bumper feel free to give me a buzz and i will walk you thru it.....other than that down here in south florida we pretty much dont even have hte bottom panels anymore completely removed due to their annoyance.....

[Beancooker]

[maxhopper]

Welcome to NICO!

I hate to rain on the parade so late, but if you have replaced any factory part with an after market part; your warranty for that part is void. The dealership must retain any part replaced under warranty for a period of 30-120 days (depending on the manufacturer). Some times the manufacturer will have the dealer ship that part to them for analysis as to why that part failed, or to use as a core for a rebuilt part.