Nissan Maxima 1999 Service

[Nissan99Max]

Good day...

Questions.
1) Are prices reasonable?
2) Are all of these necessary?
3) Get rid of car or repair?

This is my 17 year old son's car. He loves it. It has now been passed down through a couple of my kids.

1999 Maxima
290,000 miles

I brought it in for an oil change and here is the recommended service.

$449 Service engine light. Replace O2 sensor
$560 Oil pan leaking badly. Replace.
$550 Replace valve cover gaskets upper plenum
$185 Belts cracking. Replace belts.
$150 Fuel system service
$150 Replace trans fluid
$99.95 Replace brake fluid
$99.95 Replace power steering fluid

Total: $2284 (including oil change)


I do not doubt that all of these things are needed. My son would be interested in driving the car for a few more years, maybe through College.

But, it is $2284 and the car has 290,000 miles on it.

Clearly the first three are most of the cost.

What do you think?

Thanks!!

[loystock]

You can do most of the fluid exchange yourself using basic tools. Nissan Matic-D (or Dexron III/VI) for the ATF, Dexron III for the Power Steering Fluid; and Prestone DOT 3 for the brake fluid. You can also replace the fuel filter (besides brake booster) and then add a bottle of Redline Fuel System Cleaner or Gumout Regane (or other additives with PEA such as Techron).

You need to know the configuration of you emission system - CA has four O2 sensors while Federal has 3 O2 sensors. What was the fault code? The OEM Bosch is expensive but you can get NGK/NTK for much less.

Is the leak coming from the oil pan or drain plug?

The forum has "How To" regarding belt replacement and gasket replacement or you can have it done at a good quality shop.

[Nissan99Max]

Thanks for the quick feedback.

I do not know the configuration of the emission system. All I know is the car was made in Japan and was sold and has remained in Midwest. They did not provide the fault code but I can ask them.

They indicated that the leak was coming from the oil pan, not the plug.


Thanks again...

[loystock]

Check the back of the main catalytic converter - if there is an O2 sensor (cable is visible), that is Federal (3 O2 sensors); if there is none, then it's CA version (4 O2 sensors, all close to the Pre-Cat). Most likely your car has Federal emission.

As for the leak, you can verify yourself. Jack up the front driver side, then use a jack stand to support it. Check if the oil pan is cracked/ warped and look for the source of the leak.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

YOU need to know where its leaking so you might try this;
i would buy some autoramps and a slicker suit
get the car up on ramps at the carwash
Turn off the engine

spray down degreaser in the worst places on the bottomof the engine
with the engine off. I dont like the foam degreaser too much.

Restart engine

WAsh off grease-dont cowboy too aggressively-go slow and don't overdo it-don't punch a hole in your radiator with the car wash water pressure. If you don't restart engine before washing off the oil the cold water might crack the block

wipe off the rest of the sludge with rags so you can see where your leaks are
On top off your engine clean it by hand and use ELECTRONIC cleaner
for most everything

Be careful where you point the car wash wand. New cars dont like water in
the wrong places. I wouldn't wash off the engine with water from the top-too
much risk of elecrical issues.