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You cannot find a '06 w/ 90k miles b/c very few people put 90k miles in 4 years. I just trade in my '07 w/ 18k miles.
This is to give a feedback to the forum and to E.D
"I just noticed that my 02 altima stalls when started but picks up later. What might the problem be? Is it the nozzles, injeector or what. It drives well once it gets over it whih takes few seconds.
Thanks.
Onuchukwu Chuma."
"#535 of 536 Stalling engine, 2002 Altima by ndiboy Apr 19, 2010 (8:16 am)
Regarding all the problems of stalling, nozzle etc. It was later discovered that the top cylinder gasket was flat and mixing oil and water b/w 2 and 3 cylinders. After changing the gasket all the issues troubling the car since November last year stopped. The car is running good now and has covered about 3000miles since then. no more topping water."
"#536 of 536 Engine not raising after starting by ndiboy Apr 19, 2010 (8:06 am)
My friends 2005s altima refused to raise after an electrician tried fixing the A/C after an accident. There was a spark and that was it. We have changed the throttle body and even tried it on another car, my 2002 and it worked fine. What can be the problem please"
Responses to above:
Dear Chuma.
#510 & #535, I am glad you got the Head Gasket problem fixed. This is common problem on the 2.5L I-4 engine.
#536, Since the throttle body is known to be good by trying it on another car, it may not be working properly in your friends car because of a computer or wiring problem. The throttle body is operated directly by the cars computer, so check that the plug and wiring for the throttle body is ok and not damaged. The accident might have caused a jar that damaged the computer or wiring, and the damage may not be evident on the outside. Computers can be damaged by impact and still look good on the outside. The computer should be scanned for any bad codes (DTC's) and the wiring and plugs carefully checked. Also check the other computer input devices & their wiring to the computer, as they may also effect the operation of the cars computer & engine.
Additional Information on this engine:
The Nissan QR25DE engine is a 2.5 L (2488 cc) version built in Decherd, TN. Bore is 89 mm and stroke is 100 mm. Output is 175 hp (130 kW) at 6000 rpm with 180 ft·lbf (244 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm in Altima and Sentra SE-R Spec V models. Engines in the Sentra SE-R model have 165 hp (123 kW) at 6000 rpm with 175 ft·lbf (237 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm. It has an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. It uses SFI fuel injection, has 4 valves per cylinder with bucket tappets and features forged steel connecting rods, a one-piece cast camshaft, a timing chain, and balance shafts.
Good Luck,
E.D. in Sunny Florida
Is there any end to this problem or does one need to be changing the head gasket after sometime? What is the cause of this problem so that one can avoid it in future.
With regards to the 05 Altima I'll relay your info to my friend.
Thanks for suggestions!
Then fix the head gasket first and bring it to different dealer, tell that you get p0420 and need get new pre-cat for free if they can. If not just get a cheap header and O2 adapter to fool the computer.
I had my head gasket fixed from local shop before the dealer found it and 3 months later claim the pre-cat.
Thanks for your reply
Can anybody come to our aid as different electricians have tried to no avail.
The car is presently at Abuja Nigeria and belongs to my friend.
Ndiboy.
Injectors are fine as long as you don't have hesitation/bogging during acceleration and good mpg. Sparkplugs need to be change after 113k miles although this laser NGK platinum could last more than 200k miles.
Just drain and refill ATF every 60k miles, synthetic motor oil 6k miles. powersteering fluid=atf fluid never need to be changed. Brake fluid can be changed at SEARS for $35 every 5 years, but I never did it since the brake is never faded in Florida.
Had some rough idle at start up recently along with P0304 code (cyl 4 misfire) and thought it was a dirty injector. It would go away when warmed up, but then come back occasionally even after changing plugs, filters, using injector cleaner.
Before a recent trip the coolant was a bit low and then the car would not start a few days later. Dealer found fouled plugs and the car started for him- they suspected cat problems but called later to say the head gasket was bad. Could not wait for them to fix it so drove the car home. One dealer here says trade it in or replace engine. Another says change HG for $1200. I do not think I have the pre-cat problem yet (oil consumption is zero), but am wondering if it is worth fixing this car. Any thoughts?
Good Luck,
E.D. in Sunny Florida
like others The problem also started with ses light coming on and code reading catalst effiecny below threshold.Things that i can tell you are that it burned alot of oil on two separate occasions. The first time it happened it burned oil it was like two quarts low. never got a hot reading. it wasn't wanting to turn over. maybe low compression? I took off the air filter and got the oil level correct.eventually it started. It threw out alot of whitish smoke but could have been gray.Didn't smell like anything really. Also it was violently shking for a few moments then it stabalized. I changed oil, air filter and spark plugs. The plugs didn't look bad. they were tan in color but the tip was kinda black with carbon maybe? after that it ran for another 20k miles with no obvious problems. Then today my it went dead at a couple of redlights. Started back up both times fairly easy compaired to the first time. When i got to look at it i checked oil was kinda low. i added half a quart and it started fine with no problems after that.
Thats when I found this forum. I guess my questions are ... what steps should i take from here that i can do myself that would possibly point me in the right direction to diagnose. I mean how many diff. problems are there? I know about the cat stuff but there was a few other things like pcv i think right?
thank you so much for everything you've posted so far.
After 80K your pre-cat warranty expires, and you are SOL
Briefly: The PRE CAT inside the manifold, runs way too hot - and it breaks down the gaskets in the engine, leading to an oil leak
Oil drips into the PRE CAT causing it to plug, and break apart - the PRE CAT is ceramic type media, and when it breaks down, it turns into a fine crystallized dust
The CVVT engine has an air pump, that recirculates some of the exhaust air back to the cylinders , this is how bits of the PRE CAT gets sucked back inside the engine - unfiltered.
By the time your engine starts burning excessive oil, its too late, the engine has been scored and scratched with this crystallized ceramic dust - and the engine is trashed
If the car has less than 80K the Nissan dealer SHOULD give you a new (re manufactured) engine - but prepare for a fight - the PRE CAT has a federal warranty for 80K regardless of manufacturer warranty
Once you get a new engine - get the PRE CAT OUT OF YOUR CAR ASAP !
See videos
GOOD LUCK -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Fxo3wLnJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RshED3dMr_0&NR=1
My 02/03 Altima is at 95800miles and I changed the head gasket in March, had the thermoststs( it has 2) removed, its been doing well since then though the ses light has been on since then. I want to hollow the cat near the engine now. Is it necessary? Are there anything I should worry about? I live in Nigeria and nobody worries you with the ses light on.
Thanks, I need response urgently.
About the car, You MUST have all recalls done for the car to run correctly. The Camshaft Position Sensor and the Crankshaft Position Sensor are actually both the same, but in different locations. The Camshaft is in the head, sensor is on the drivers side of the head, easy to reach and change. The Crankshaft Sensor is harder to reach, behind the engine at the bellhousing, you have to crawl under the car to get to it. After sensors are serviced, then do the reprogram. This is actually an important fix for the Pre-Cat problem because the engine running too rich will overheat the Pre-Cat. With the proper reprogram, the Pre-Cat wil not overheat and last longer before giving problems.
I don't have to give much free advice, just use the SEARCH BUTTON to search for what you are looking for in this forum. In fact this forum has so much useful information, I recommend that all Altima owners read this forum from beginning to end. Everything you need to know is in here.
Have a nice day,
E.D. in Sunny Florida
The "consequences" of hollowing out the precat is the "advantage" you will gain by saving your engine and increasing it's life.
The next thing I will say is that you need to have the thermostat installed in the cooling system, because it gets the engine up to the required operating temperature. The only time the thermostat needs to be removed and replaced is if it malfunctions by either sticking closed or sticking open. The thermostat is a necessary part of the cooling system. Without it, the engine may run too cool, which may cause engine sludging over the long term.
Regards,
E.D. in Sunny Florida USA
You have the right to get new engine.
Our temperatures down here in the tropics is between 90 and 107f from morning to midday and extremely hot so do i need to replace the thermoststs because i still kept them.The temp gauge only takes about 2-3 minutes longer to attain the usual temperature it achieves when the thermostats were there.
Thanks and god bless.
Chuma.
ANYONE can view those pictures. All you have to do is click on the link in the messege and it takes you to the photo album at the site. All you have to do is log in to the site (you will have to register, if you haven't before, it's free), it will automatically take you to the photo album where you can view the photos individually, view a slide show for free or buy prints of any that you may want. There are over 300 photos in each set.
If clicking on the links does not work on your computer, copy and paste the link to your browser and click GO, to get to the photo site.
About the thermostat, put the good thermostat back in. There is no reason or advantage to remove the thermostat, unless to replace it. it needs to be in there to assure that the engine reaches operating temperature quickly. You can test the thermostat by placing it in a pan of water with a thermometer and heating the water, it should start to open at about 185 to 190 degrees F.
Thank for all your help and advice. The car runs good now.
Larry in humid NC
In July 2009 (at 72,000 miles) my car began to overheat which was followed by the SES light turning on. I took the car to the Nissan Dealership and the code for the SES light was a CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE (P0302). The tech notes stated:
-Fluid leaking into cylinder 3
-Radiator leaking
-Head Gasket Bad
As a result, they replaced my head gasket and radiator hoses. What any of that has to do with a Cylinder 2 misfire, I have no idea. This repair cost me $1600!
Following this repair my heater stopped working which cost $350 to fix.
Now, in July of 2010, just 1 year after the head gasket was replaced and a cylinder 2 misfire error code my SES light is on again. I have the code read at a local auto shop and sure enough CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE AGAIN! Unfortunately, this happened on July 17 2010, and I took it into the dealership last year July 16 2009! The work came with a 12 month or 10,000 mile warranty, so I went anyways. Of course they said I was 1 day out of warranty.
Along with my cylinder 2 misfire error code my engine begins rocking when I first turn on the vehicle and when idling at stops. However, if I put my car in neutral while at a stop the engine stops rocking, which made me think maybe there is a problem with the transmission and it is not down shifting to a lower gear...? Just a guess.
To make things worse, my car is up for a smog test this August 2010. I take the car in to a smog test center, and pass every emissions, and 02 test with flying stars, unfortunately I was unaware that in the state of California if your check engine light is on its an automatic failure and the miserable woman working at the Smog Test Center did not have the decency to inform me before taking my money and running the test.
I have no idea what to do and am in desperate need of help/advice! I spent approximately $3000 in repairs in the past year and a half and feel like I have been taken advantage of by the Nissan Dealership.
I have read everyone's comments and am afraid, it seems like this Cylinder 2 misfire and rocking engine is a horrible problem to have.
Please reply or email Modesta48@yahoo.com
This car has caused me so much anger and frustration I am at a loss and would greatly appreciate any and all advice.
P.S. I have been reset the error code twice since July 17 2010 and am currently driving the car because I do not have the money to fix the problem at this time, but would like to know how much it would cost to repair this type of problem. The engine is still rocking and the SES light still on.
Your only recourse at this time is to get it fixed right, meaning it has to be done right like I stated above, no sloppy work! I would not go back to that dealer again, other than to give them a piece of my mind. Maybe if you complain enough, they might do the job for half price or less. If the job is done correctly, it should last for at least 6 years, as long as you DON'T overheat the engine. If you cant fix the headgasket soon, you can do a temporary fix by pouring some radiator sealer into the radiator, I used the Bars Leak Pelletized Sealer, about 3 bucks a bottle. Monitor how often and how much you have to add coolant to the radiator overflow bottle. The sealer can greatly improve the running of the engine for a few months, but you will still need to get the head gasket fixed. Carry a jug of coolant and bottle of oil in the back of the car, in case of emergency. never remove the radiator cap when engine is hot, wait until the engine is cool, put a rag over the radiator cap and loosen it slowly.
And while you are at it, have you had the PRE CAT problem yet? That's another huge headache. If you have problem with using too much engine oil, you need to fix it RIGHT AWAY, or else you will need to buy a new engine! The cheapest & best way to fix the PRE CAT problem is to hollow out the precat and put a cheater on the second oxygen sensor.
Need help and suggestions. SAD
Also it's a bit distressing to hear that there would even be a dispute about whether the head gasket is bad or not---this can and should be easily diagnosable and no mystery should have to ensue about it.
So my advice would be to find someone who knows how to diagnose a bad head gasket and have them SHOW you the evidence---then you'll have enough facts on hand to make an informed decision. I'd put $2K or so into it, but not much more than that.
SAD
The good news is that I bought my daughter a newer car, an 07 Pontiac Vibe, to replace her 02 Altima 2.5S, the worst car we have ever owned.
The bad news is that someone else may own this crappy car in the future. We don't have the heart to sell it to someone, so we may give it to a dealer or send it to the crusher.
So I won't be around here in this forum anymore, but may stop in to look once in a while. I drive a Vibe, wife drives a Highlander, and now daughter drives a Vibe, so we are happy family again.
Good Luck to All.
E.D. in Sunny Florida
You can sell the altima to cheap autodealer that fixing car before they sell it. Some dealers do complete rebuild engine.