Nissan Tune-Up Inquiry

[haux]

Jeez... so a friend of mine has a 1997 Nissan Altima SE. It's an I4.

I just signed up for the Nissan forum to ask a question, and the last post was made TWO days ago. Like the 8th post down was on November 3rd. This is absolutely horrible. I don't think I'd receive any assistance there in a timely manner.

My friend bought this car with 80k miles. It's at 200k now. He's never changed the spark plugs, coolant, or transmission fluid/filter. Never changed any gaskets, radiator cap, or thermostat. The only things he's ever replaced was because he HAD to. Such as the water pump and front axle. This car has a timing chain, so no timing *belt* job required.

This car still runs... but very poorly in my opinion. There's oil everywhere from leaks... it shakes... transmission performance sounds terrible. He's not too concerned about the vehicle because he has a new Infiniti something that he got for his wife. But he's probably gonna be driving this Altima for 1-2 years still.

Today I gave him some Denso spark plugs I used for about 2k miles. Fortunately they fit his car.

I think he's ok with spending about $100 to do some general maintenance to keep the car running. So I was thinking the following:

1) Valve cover gasket, tube seals
2) Transmission gasket/filter kit
3) Transmission fluid
(he already has new coolant available)
4) Radiator cap
5) Thermostat
6) Front intake manifold gasket (I think that's what it's called)

#6 is there 'cause I seafoamed the car through the brake booster hose, and smoke was coming from under the shield covering that front manifold. I'm pretty sure that gasket has a leak.

What else can I add to this list that isn't very pricey? He doesn't want to spend too much money 'cause repair investments in this case just wouldn't be worth it.

He has three CEL codes. I do not recall the numbers, but I can find out tomorrow. One was cylinder misfires (replaced plugs). The other was something related to the knock sensor. The third was EGRC something or other. Maybe related to the leak through which that smoke was escaping?

Suggestions greatly appreciated.

[CJRocker]

Unless oil is leaking somewhere it could catch fire, I would actually forgo that unless you're loosing a lot, as it doesn't technically affect performance.

For about $100 this is what I would do:
Plug Wires
Distributor Cap
Rotor
Air Filter
Coolant
Trans Fluid change (don't want to flush it at this point in the transmission life)
Fixing that gasket on the intact.

Radiator cap and thermostat depends... if you're loosing coolant, running hot, or it appears damaged (Corroded or otherwise) replace it. That leak at that intake gasket though should be attended too as well. Also find out the check engine codes... replacing the cap, rotor, and plug wires may get read of the misfire. Shaking could be the car running rough or it could be motor mounts depending on what kind of shaking it is, what the RPM range is, and how much the car is actually moving.

[TTercel]

Tell your friend to start looking for a new car.

[haux]

Originally Posted by TTercel

Tell your friend to start looking for a new car.

Well they already do have a new car! 07 or 08 Infiniti G##? Unsure of the number. It's a 4-door, not the coupe.

This is exactly what I told him though... that people will basically say the car is just about dead, or that he needs to do big repairs replacing this this and that. People always say that about poor maintenance... and yet the car keeps running! How do you explain that? I could have not mentioned anything about doing a tune-up, and I tell you, a year from now, the car would still be in the same condition... running just as poorly, but still running.

So in any case, I'll add the distributor cap/rotor to the list. He won't want to replace the plug wires, 'cause they're about $40 even on RockAuto, but the rest is doable.

[CJRocker]

Always do plug wires before the cap and rotor. It's useless to do the cap and rotor if the plug wires are crap. It's like having a high power water pump to fill up your pool but you're using a hose with a kinks in it. It works but not as well as it should.

[CJCride]

Change friends while your at it.

[haux]

The codes are:

P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P1400 ?
P0325 Knock Sensor Circuit Malfunction

I am unsure about P1400. Is that related to the EGR system?

[haux]

Nobody has any info on that P1400 code?