nothing, even at 80k my G ran strong

 

at 130k mi. my timing chain broke and trashed my heads

 

how do you know when to change the timing chain? and when should you change it to prevent it from F*in up the engine?

 

Supposed to be changed at 100k miles or at the 90k tune up, BUT the previous owner told me it had already been done. I think not. I shouldn't have believe him.

 

how much was the timing belt service

 

LOL! I wish I knew.... The previous owner said he did it at 100k miles, I bought it with 114k miles on it...

 

Heaping pile of crap, WOW, thanks for the constructive grammar. I'm telling him the facts, generally speaking about buying an old used car. If you buy the car new and maintain it since day one (as I've done on several cars), I'm sure any car (even a Kia) would last a lifetime. Out cars might not be old Ford's or Chevys but, mileage does put wear and tear on cars. Although our cars are not 350Z, many people buy them and rag them out. Nissan does make a great car (my last three cars have been Nissans) but again, mileage puts a beating on a car, any car plain and simple. As long as he's aware of that I'm sure he'll make a smart decision.

 

94,xxx and the only thing to go out is the passenger window lock motor. My tranny was replaced under warranty at 68,xxx because of synchros.

 

Fair enough. I apologize on the grammer. But when you say Historically, all cars start to break down around 70 to 80K and then in the same paragraph you state I've had the car since new, it had it's share of breakdowns up to 100K. Even with me babying it in every way possible. According to that seems like you maintained your car and then you still say it had its share of breakdowns. Now one mans "breakdown" could be another mans "wear and tear", who knows. But in the end, if you maintain your car according to schedule then 70-80K is still a very young car, and a reputable brand like Nissan definitely shouldn't be falling apart.

The irony in all this is, even small repairs cost an arm and leg in this car (ex. valve cover leak = $200+ per side, door lock actuator = close to $200 per side, window motors = $100+ per side. With those prices I would even consider them a "breakdown". In the end it seems like the big ticket items (motor and tranny) are pretty solid.

 

You are correct and the cost of most repairs of cars in this price range(even when done by a loacl mechanic and you supply the parts), aren't cheap. It is none of my business but, waaaayy too many new members on here buying the car, older, beat, with mileage and many times not wel maninteined. I try to make it a poin to inform that m.s.r.p. was $35-40 when new. A car that originates in that price range can't be cheap to maintain, at any mileage.
It does seem to be a fairly solid car overall.

 

"Historically, all cars start to break down around 70 to 80K "

I can't agree with that at all. I've have owned over 30 cars since I was 15(I am 33 now), all but 3 had over 100k miles on them. i can only think of one that really gave me any trouble other than an altenator or starter while owning them. The G that I have now is the first time I have had a MAJOR issue and that is due to poor maintenance. The Timing chain should have been changed and it would still be running great. But that's working out to be in my favor anyways with a new motor in the car. :-)
At a 100kmi, a car is just getting broken-in in my mind.
But people that think a cars life is over at 70kmi or 100k mi's are the people I get my greatest deals from. They sell the car for nothing cause they think it's on it's last legs.

 

I didn't think timing chains needed to be replaced....I don't see it on any service intervals....

 

Yea, I read that somewhere too, but mine is broke at 130k miles, so what does that tell ya.... I have ALWAYS been told to replace the timing chain at 100k miles on any car. Don't know who started the rumor that the VQ35 didn't need it replaced. Doesn't make since....

 

Lies

Timing chain never gets changed, just like your fuel tank or steering wheel. You only change it if it's broken.

Service manual goes up to 120k miles and never does it suggest timing chain replacement.

 

Well.... mine broke at 130k.... If it didn't need to be changed why would it have broken? If it breaks it's too late, your valves are trashed and the top end has to be rebuilt. A new timing chain around 100k would have prevented my motor replacement.

Edit: The quoted statement above is actually rediculous, the steering wheel and Gas tank do not ware like a timing chain and are in no way in use or in movement as much as the timing chain. EVERY car built with a timing chain or belt that I have know in my lifetime has needed replacement around 100k miles. The chain just isn't thick enough nor strong enough to last forever. Not chainging it until it breaks is rediculous. If I would have chainged it or if the previous owner would have chainged it at 100k miles when it rolled over 100k, my motor would still be running.
Look at this little chain, doesn't look like a Superman chain to me. Looks like the same type chain in every other motor I have torn apart that had t be replaced at 100k mi.


Looks pretty standard to me. I stand behind chainging the chain at 100k mi.