i Just purchased my first nissan its a 2002 Maxima se 3.5l automatic. the only thing wrong with it that i could find is the front motor mount the one at the front bottom. how hard is this to replace? any help would be great thanks. also is there anything else that i should check out?

 

^
Doucher.

Replacing is as simple as unbolting it, jacking the motor up a bit, removing the old one, and installing the new one. Drop motor down, tighten nuts/bolts, and done and done. It also depends on how mechanically inclinded you are. I would say it's a novice level job, that can be done with a simple tool kit in an hour or so.

As far as anything else that we can think of?

Change belts/hoses
Change oil
Change spark plugs
Change/flush trans fluid
Check tires for uneven wear, get an alignmet as needed
Check brake rotors for obvious wear/gouging, and pads for thickness
Check timing belt/chain (should have a mechanic to this)

Do all that because it's pretty much standard stuff on a car that age, and you can't rely on the previous owners doing any of if prior to your ownership. If all those things check out/preformed just fine, then as long as you change the oil at regular intervals, your new nissan will last you years to come. Unfortunately, there's not much aftermarket support, so any engine "mods" may be limited to intake and exhaust.

 

thanks thats what i have been hearing. he showed me reciepts from nissan where he just spent a little over $1k doing the brake replacing the spark plugs/ oil change, and trans flush. and that was 2 weeks ago. should i go ahead and do it again? or should i take it as legit and worry about it when i get another 2k miles on it?

 

ok the check engine light just came on. and i took it to advance to have it scanned. and it said something like engine over temp. then i thought about it and before i drove it i took off the radiator cap and check the coolant. i put it back on but after that thats when the CEL came on and that code came up. what could be the cause they said the thermostat. which i don't mind replacing but the maximas run about $45 and was wondering if there was soething else that could cause it to read that. how do i reset the code?

 

do whatever is not on the reciepts, if some changes, repairs, and flushes have alrady been preformed, make sure they weren't like 50,000 miles ago, and do as needed. an oil change might be needed as well.


as far as your cooling issues, I've never heard of throwing a light for running hot, usually the needle just rises till the motor pops. If a reputable source said to replace the t stat, i would start there, get a new one, with a cooler operating temp. Also, while you're in there, it would be good to replace the CTS, or coolant temp sensor, it's like a $20 part, that tends to be faulty, and if you replace now, as a preventative maintainance, you'll know you have that base covered.

my recommendation for your cooling issue?

drain coolant
flush system with waterhose (put water hose in upper rad hose, seal it off by hand, and let it fill and flow and expell from the upper hose tube on the radiator till everything comes out clear).
replace thermostat with either OEM recommended, or a cooler running unit (say OEM is 180*, drop to a 170*-160* t-stat)
replace CTS/coolant temp sensor (as needed or as a preventative)
refill and bleed coolant system with DISTILLED WATER, and a quality coolant.
drink a beer and feel like king of the garage.

 

^ truth

 

I kinda miss helping out in the Tech Section.

 

ok i have 3 codes that came up with the cel scan. they are as follows
p0720- output shaft speed sensor circuit
p1574- auto speed control device speed sensor
p0128- thermostat below Regulating Temp


could someone explain those to me in non nissan tech. i need to know what i need to do to fix these and what needs to be replaced. i know the last one is the thermostat just need to be replaced it sounds to me like it is stuck open. which isn't 2 big of a deal, its when they are stuck closed you have to worry. but the other i need a little help with.

thanks again for your time.

 

for general reference check out the Org. Maxima Forums