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1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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mrclark
New User
Dec 30, 2007, 12:54 PM
Post #1 of 9
(4844 views)
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1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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Hi all - I am not too familiar as to what I need to do - and I am hoping I might get some advice from you all as how dangerous, serious this is... and my actions I need to do.
Ok this is what happened, it's a 2 part story.... thank you for your patience in advance... I hope I can be as descriptive as I can for now...
* 2 days ago - I went to a mechanic to get my idler pulley belt fixed - It was making a very loud and high pitched, squeaking - disturbing noise which wakes up everyone on cold mornings and after it rains. It made that noise on cold startups and would last from anywhere from a few seconds to a minute and then stop.
* I had the belt replaced on it 6 months ago at a Firestone. I moved a few states south and it was covered under warranty. I had to drive 1 hour to get it checked though. They said the belt needed to be tightened - and so the did and I was on my way.
** Today, after getting the belt checked - I am driving to class and notice a "gurgling" sound coming from my hood - it feels like I can hear a clogged pipe, but fluid moving around. I kept driving - I heard it a bit more later that day. It was getting cold outside and I turned on my heat - it was cold air coming out when I was not in drive... then I got out of the parking lot, kept driving and the heat came - I was confused so I went to another parking lot - This part SCARED me even more - I'm fiddling around with my heater - and the gurgling is getting louder and louder - then my car engine just goes off - it's like if I just turned the key to "ON" mode -
* I then tried to restart the car, and the engine just kept cranking up but didn't want to start - I let it rest a minute and repeated - it turned on. The gurgling sound began again.
* My temperature gauge is normally usually exactly halfway - I noticed while in DRIVE and playing with the heater, I would see this gauge move just a tad UP and then back to middle - I was just scared that I would stop in the middle of a bad intersection and thinking oh boy, it's Saturday night, tomorrow is Sunday - and I can't go anywhere...
* I noticed the RPM's moving weird too... but not so noticeable... just slight higher or lower than average...
** When I got back, the next piece of information that might help you all is that my landlord said that my car was leaking antifreeze 2 days ago...
This all happened after getting my idler pulley belt tightened - never had a heat/leak issue before.
It's a 1995 Nissan Maxima with 125,000 miles, automatic V6, 3.0L engine- switched to mobil 1 synthetic oil on the last oil change - next oil change is due in a week. Use Lucas fuel injector cleaner 1x month... just had an inspection on the last oil change 2 months ago.. I am not sure when the last time the coolant system was flushed.
** If I need to drive small increments can I do so while monitoring the engine temperature gauge? If I need to go to the grocery store which is like 10 mins away.
** How serious is this problem? Can it be corrected in a day if I set up an appointment with a mechanic for that day? The closest one here is Goodyear which requires me to drive about 15mins.
UPDATE : I put in 2/3rds gallon of coolant directly on unstarted cold engine...
Started the car - and it still gurgled, and made some type of gear grinding like noise near the belt system where they had re-tightened on servicing it the other day. My landlord heard it as we poured the antifreeze... he said it might be something with the belt tightening and possibly affecting the water pump - not sure....
we turned off the car after a minute - waiting tomorrow to go to the closest service station - but what's your take on this?
Should I fill up the expansion tank too? before going to the shop? Should I have the heater turned on anyway to max while driving?
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Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 30, 2007, 3:01 PM
Post #2 of 9
(4840 views)
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Re: 1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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it sounds like a water pump problem from what you describe.....probably would be best to have the vehicle towed...
better to be safe than sorry....driving the vehicle without proper coolant and leaking,especially not knowing what
is leaking for sure and how fast is not smart.....further damage to the engine can occur which would leave you with a much higher repair bil....not worth it.......price of tow is still the better way to go......
good luck to ya....
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mrclark
New User
Dec 30, 2007, 5:08 PM
Post #3 of 9
(4837 views)
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Re: 1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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Hi thanks for your reply - I took it to one shop -
They looked at it briefly and pretty much suspected the water pump grinding creating the issue -
The local shop is estimating a 4 hour work job to look to see if that is the problem and is asking just labor $80 per hour - they said they'll need to remove the belts first to see if that is causing it and then start looking at the thermostat and water pump -
they'll check the hoses and radiator too... they said labor warranty is only 90 days and parts 1 year. the only thing is I am planning to move from here in a month and they only have warranty coverage locally - that one shop.
There is a Goodyear-Gemini center about 2 minutes from where I have it parked - should I go there instead? What does hourly labor run usually? I know parts might be marked up - also understand shops vary labor place to place - but is $80 x 4 hour job + parts (water pump, belt, thermostat etc) alot?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 30, 2007, 7:33 PM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: 1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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http://www.autozone.com/...artTypeResultSet.htm <<<< Check that for the what will be wholesale price of the water pump give or take. Shops mark up parts to a "list" price which you could ask or see on a sales slip if you just walked in a place and bought it to do the job yourself. You are buying the parts from the shop NOT the place they get them and the shop then takes responsibility for the parts - that's where that mark up comes in.
JIM N may be away for a while so I jumped in. It does sound like this is a water pump and allow judgement on what related parts should be done at the same time. Good time to change anti-freeze as it's out then anyway - things like that.
How much per hour?? Depends on location a lot. My guess is in most of the USA range is between 40-110bucks an hour. That's a big difference but so is the cost of doing business. Heck, you can pay most of that in parking in some places!
Where to get this done?? If you are leaving the area it's true the warranty stays at the shop where a chain repair place probably will warranty work at other shops in their group. You have to decide. If this job is done well the first time you shouldn't have to worry about this again anytime soon. If there's a problem it should show up right away. I'd go with your gut feeling about the shop you are at.
It's happened to customers of mine on vacations or whatever that nasty problems happen like a transmission overhaul needed hundreds of miles away. For that big a deal we all kind of agreed a wide range warranty was really worth it.
The time allowed is listed in a labor guide that I don't have. Four hours from start to finish and checked out doesn't sound out of line. Labor guides are estimates of time for trained techs with adequate tools for a job. Some will get a job done in less time because of extra skills or experience and better tools. If it takes longer without unforeseen problems it should not change the hours charged. The real bargain is getting it fixed properly the first time and everyone wins.
Good luck with the fix and let us know how you made out,
T
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mrclark
New User
Dec 31, 2007, 3:02 PM
Post #5 of 9
(4827 views)
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Re: 1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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Well real bad news :( Worst case scenario - after reading up a few sites on water pump, coolant leaks and blown head gaskets....
The last one took it..... we looked at the oil dipstick - it was milky "muddy" brown - the mechanic said there's "antifreeze in the engine" and replacing just the head gasket and water pump (which he said had bearings grinding) would be a temporary fix - he suggested selling what is left of it or getting a "used engine."
It's still leaking antifreeze and he said no point in pouring anything down the radiator except regular water for now - he said since the leak is happening non-stop, there's no major worry about it building up enough pressure.... only thing that will break the car down now is the water pump finally breaking and the timing chain going - tow time then.
Ok, is everything right so far? Is this my option if I need to keep this vehicle?
What should I look for and what questions do I need to seriously ask for in finding a used engine now? I found this on wikipedia - trying to find local junkyards - I have a friend that found a mechanic that will put the engine for $400 - but problem is finding one....
http://en.wikipedia.org/...ma#1995.E2.80.931999
I need a VQ30DE engine - but is this all I need? If the car strictly had coolant - head gasket - water pump issues, can I use my vehicles preexisting car connections to put this in? Just not sure on what to ask when inquiring to buy - i.e. the right questions...
I also found some on ebay but not sure what to ask them -
We found one for $750 127,000 miles - but my cousin was saying you can find one for under that price - all in all - I have $600 to spare for a new engine, that's as much as my folks were willing to spend on this car now - total meaning $1000 for engine + install....
I don't know what questions to ask when looking for when buying a used or rebuilt engine - or of any local nearby people that can ship to Lexington, Kentucky.
What I still don't get is how I didn't get any "warning signs" prior - my engine gauge nor lights never showed anything and the water pump only started grinding the day I posted.... I haven't driven it anywhere from there except a few mins to the shop - now it's sitting at my house ready to go to the guy who's gonna install one - in hopes of finding a engine first.
Your continued guidance will be appreciated - gosh what a learning lesson and not the way I wanted to bring in the new year :(
(This post was edited by mrclark on Dec 31, 2007, 3:19 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 31, 2007, 3:38 PM
Post #6 of 9
(4825 views)
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Re: 1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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Arggh! Take a deep breath. Why is this needing the head gasket worth changing out the whole engine? If you have reasonable care on this engine than why not fix this one? The person who quoted the swap for $400 - have you asked about what a head gasket job would be? I'd ask. There is a risk of the head being warped but that can be checked.
There are decent used engines out there. You still don't know for sure what you are getting. I'd check into the fix of this one, new water pump while there and was going to get new oil change, anti-freeze anyway so throw in a new timing belt too while it's apart. The labor to do the head gasket means taking a lot of stuff off and would be a good time to set this engine straight for lots more life. If this current engine is showing wear and problems other than the misfortune of needing a head gasket which is not all that uncommon that fix it. Some replacements are more durable than the originals.
These engines and most now use alloy heads and some blocks. This metal allows less weight, faster to warm, and they squeeze more power and economy out of them. They expand and contract with the heat faster and at different rates if dissimilar metals and are much more subject to head gasket problems. So it the replacement friend so I really have this one given a hard look as the best bet to keep over a used one. I like going used when engines are worn out or drastically in need - this one may not be that bad.
This is a lousy time for this of course with New Years just tomorrow and all will be closed. It wouldn't be much fun any other time either.
Seems like you were already expecting about half of the $$ you have tossed out now for just the pump. Ask about a person who will take some time and check this one out and really decide the practical way out. The parts for this aren't the worst of it, it's the labor. Some shop or individual may discount needing all this at once for you.
Try to have a good new year despit this lousy news right now,
T
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mrclark
New User
Dec 31, 2007, 4:25 PM
Post #7 of 9
(4824 views)
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Re: 1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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Hey Tom, thanks for your continued reply! Your points are excellent and that's what I've been looking on the net - i.e. does a blown head gasket really mean replacing the whole engine IF they haven't even looked at it! The one mechanic was assuming and told me that this is the only way - but I didn't come up with too many topics re: that - there were some mixed opinions though....
The $400 install mechanic hasn't seen the car yet and said he'd install a new engine in for $400 provided that either he or I could find one, whichever came first - that is if this is the situation - it was the first mechanic that said you need a new engine, it's gonna take 14-16 hours and they quoted me a price of $1900 for a 127,000 mile engine with labor. So I just drove it back a few mins to outside my apartment.... waiting on Wednesday to go to the other shop
So what you are suggesting is to check if the heads are warped after inspecting the gasket right? Then in turn, replace the water pump, drain coolant/oil - is it tough getting out the antifreeze if it's in the bottom half of the engine? I don't think since this episode has happened not even 10 miles have been put in and I never saw any smoke from the hood or engine heat gauge go even near 3/4's of max or even in the max high -
If I was to drive this car to that mechanic, all I plan to do is keep filling up the radiator to top with regular water - I just filled the expansion tank with some water too - not over full.... Can an engine head warp if the temp never goes up near half if I keep turning the car on and off fill radiator with h20 -
The drive to the $400 mechanic guy will be about 15-20mins - maybe a tow? or what if I do the above thing?
You as well have a wonderful new year as you continue to help and know that you're educating people like me :) Thank you again.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 1, 2008, 1:31 AM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: 1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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Hey! way2old still has open bar at "Open Posting"  Looks like good Kentucky mooshine!
Check out getting this fixed with the shop that was going to swap the whole motor. Engine should not be junk --- yet. Check the oil and don't let even the milky stuff make the level too high. Just change it if you have to right where it is. Use judgement but you can probably drive it some more if you loosen radiator cap with system full of water if not going to freeze where you are and just toss in new cheap oil and filter. That's $10 bucks and you want to flush the water out of this engine anyway. If coolant got into the oil then the pressure in the cooling system exceeded the near zero pressure of the crankcase so it went there. If you disallow pressure (radiator cap) at the cooling system it won't pump in more. Watch your gauges - bring extra water and oil and make a run for it. If you have towing then tow it. If in doubt - tow it.
If you aren't in a motor club get in one. Here I like AAA. 1-800-AAA-HELP (that's a plug AAA).. For $70 bucks a year I get 100 miles of towing each incident, 5% off my car insurance, and 10% off of tons of other things so it's free! They can also direct you to shops so that the work would be assured good in some manner if you left that whole area. Are they the best shops? Who knows but AAA would care if you weren't happy. Note: I'm not involved with any of these concerns and another may be better for you.
Find just where you stand. Check out the AutoZone site (awesome for looking up parts) for how much in parts is really involved with this. New pump was about $70 - head gasket set?, some anti-freeze, oil and filter, assorted hoses and clamps, tiing belt,so parts are not that much out of the whole job. You might actually end up with an awesome engine again at the end of this!!
If this car as a whole is good than fix it up. If it's junk overall bail out now. Ask a used car place (used only) if need be what your options are. They buy these all the time and wholesale out the jobs like yours needs and try to make them good used cars to sell. Ask who they are using. Some shops have more time and want this work. I never did as it can take up space where I might have done five other jobs instead of one. Shops usually work with other shops. Ask them who's best for you for this job.
By chance: Did you know that "way2old" here, a polished pro states in his profile that he's from Lexinton? No one is going to read this far in this long of a thread at this point so hit him up with a private message. You just click on the name at a post by someone and the profile and options to chat off the web are there or not at each person's wish. If you have enable a private message I'll send you one in a minute.
Hang in there. This too will pass and it WILL be a good new year!
T
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way2old
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Jan 1, 2008, 10:03 AM
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Re: 1995 Nissan Maxima,antifreeze leak,no heat,engine gurgling
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Been reading this and will add a small reply. Usually a blown headgasket does not necessarily mean the engine needs replaced. I would remove the oil pan and remove a rod bearing and examine it to see if the coolant has caused any damage. More than likely if you flush the engine really good and replace the head gasket, fill with fresh oil run a few minutes, drain the oil and refill again with a new filter, you should be OK. Good luck.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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