spark plug diagnosis...need help por favor!

[JC316]

So new plugs, valve cover to replace the plug well seals, o2, PCV, and replaced the pcv hose. Either it was already cracked or I cracked it trying to remove it from the pcv valve. Only thing left is to find the exhaust leak and fix that then it's time to dump it. I've never opened up a over head cam engine so the head gasket is not something I want to deal with.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Good call on dumping it. The 2.5L is known for head gasket issues and I absolutely loathe Nissan cars for mechanic work.

[Goku025]

Finally made some progress. replaced the downstream o2 sensor, erased codes and test drove it. Immediately got a P0507 code for high idle. During my quest for knowledge, I found a couple of threads on some Nissan boards regarding a idle relearn procedure. Figured what the heck could it hurt, it only took 5 minutes. Now it idles nice and smooth (for a car with +200k miles). I'm still not sure what was up with the misfire but it's not doing it anymore. I'll drive it some more tomorrow to make sure before giving it back to my daughter.

So new plugs, valve cover to replace the plug well seals, o2, PCV, and replaced the pcv hose. Either it was already cracked or I cracked it trying to remove it from the pcv valve. Only thing left is to find the exhaust leak and fix that then it's time to dump it. I've never opened up a over head cam engine so the head gasket is not something I want to deal with.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

That is great that you were able to fix that. My exhaust was leaking right behind the manifold cover you can see the black carbon when i took it off to change my 02 sensor. Sense you changed it im assuming it isnt leaking at that same spot :P

[GeorgeG.]

Good call on dumping it. The 2.5L is known for head gasket issues and I absolutely loathe Nissan cars for mechanic work.

Is this an issue for all 2.5's? For the most part, the Altima has been a pretty good car considering the miles we put it through. Im not sure of the daughters budget but if we're able to sell it and upgrade, I was leaning towards another Altima in the 08-09 range.

[JC316]

Is this an issue for all 2.5's? For the most part, the Altima has been a pretty good car considering the miles we put it through. Im not sure of the daughters budget but if we're able to sell it and upgrade, I was leaning towards another Altima in the 08-09 range.

I've seen my fair share of the early 2.5L's giving head gasket issues. Not sure about the later ones.

[GeorgeG.]

Well I guess the car decided to let the ghost out.

I fixed what I could and let the daughter take the car back last week while we figure out a replacement and the very next day she called me saying it wasn't starting again. I told her to just take it easy for a few days. Well earlier this week she called again and let me know that the car was blowing white smoke out the back. I'll do a pressure test on the coolant system but I think we all know it's toast.

She was heart broken since she can't afford to miss a day of summer classes or her job. Looks like ill be looking for a replacement this weekend.

[Tremor14]

where does she go to school?

[Tremor14]

because most places have a transit system

[gearjammer351]

Why can't we get pics of the '03 Altima?

[Baron Von Crowder]

Well I guess the car decided to let the ghost out.

I fixed what I could and let the daughter take the car back last week while we figure out a replacement and the very next day she called me saying it wasn't starting again. I told her to just take it easy for a few days. Well earlier this week she called again and let me know that the car was blowing white smoke out the back. I'll do a pressure test on the coolant system but I think we all know it's toast.

She was heart broken since she can't afford to miss a day of summer classes or her job. Looks like ill be looking for a replacement this weekend.

my miata is for sale

[GeorgeG.]

Thanks DJ...though I don't know that a Miata is what we'll be looking for (2 seater). But, you never know...if you can send me some details, I'll tell her about it.

She goes to UTA and works south of 20 and Cooper. She wants to get some cheap $800 scooter cause that's within her budget but I don't think that's a good idea. She has to do some 1yr non-paid internship in a couple of years as part of her program so she won't be able to afford a car payment then (also the reason for a cheap scooter). SO, as much as the wife and I didn't want to do it, we'll probably have to pay for a decent cash car up front and she'll just pay us back.

Thinking back, the Altima has been a pretty good car even though we neglected it. I'm actually thinking of looking at another (maybe stick with the v6) since they seem to be pretty affordable. I also found a few Honda Civics with salvaged titles but those tend to scare me off and I'm hoping I don't have to buy a carfax on a dozen cars.

I'm thinking of buying a pressure tester to test cars that we look at. How long would it need to hold pressure to indicate a leak...even the smallest leak? What psi should I pressurize it to?

I'm tempted to buy a fox body, I can still work on those. Or, since the Altima is scrap anyway, I may pick it up and see how difficult the head gasket can be.

[GeorgeG.]

Here's a couple so far... seems really cheap though so I don't know if they're trying to dump it really quick.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5070162915.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5070140580.html

[JC316]

If you're interested, I have a damned clean 04 Focus ZX3 on my lot. It has pretty high miles on it (196K), but it's pure highway, you'd never know by looking. Only thing is that it's a stick shift. Going to be looking for right around $3500 out the door.

[Baron Von Crowder]

Thanks DJ...though I don't know that a Miata is what we'll be looking for (2 seater). But, you never know...if you can send me some details, I'll tell her about it.

She goes to UTA and works south of 20 and Cooper. She wants to get some cheap $800 scooter cause that's within her budget but I don't think that's a good idea. She has to do some 1yr non-paid internship in a couple of years as part of her program so she won't be able to afford a car payment then (also the reason for a cheap scooter). SO, as much as the wife and I didn't want to do it, we'll probably have to pay for a decent cash car up front and she'll just pay us back.

Thinking back, the Altima has been a pretty good car even though we neglected it. I'm actually thinking of looking at another (maybe stick with the v6) since they seem to be pretty affordable. I also found a few Honda Civics with salvaged titles but those tend to scare me off and I'm hoping I don't have to buy a carfax on a dozen cars.

I'm thinking of buying a pressure tester to test cars that we look at. How long would it need to hold pressure to indicate a leak...even the smallest leak? What psi should I pressurize it to?

I'm tempted to buy a fox body, I can still work on those. Or, since the Altima is scrap anyway, I may pick it up and see how difficult the head gasket can be.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/5067680633.html

Ill make you a deal on it. It's at my buddy's lot where I wrench, so if yall dont like it, you have a few more to look at. All of his cars are roughly 3k and under.