96' Nissan Maxima, cracked radiator, cracked timing belt, the list goes on?

Question

I have a 96' Nissan Maxima GXE, around 120,000 miles. I was informed during a recent lube change that my car had some fluid leaking. So I took my car in to the dealer and they found many things that need to be fixed. replacing CV boots $400, replacing cracked timing belt $1500:replacing cracked radiator $800, replacing powering steering hoses, $800. The initial quote is well over $3500. I could potentially buy another car with that money. and I don't have that kind of money

I need some advice on what are items that absolutely need to fixed and what can be fixed later and if the quoted prices are reasonable.

Really appreciate anyone that could help out.

Thank you.

Answer 1

For starters you don't have to take your vehicle to a dealership to have these items serviced. Try looking for a quality local repair shop and ask them how well they know imports. If they seem knowledgable and you feel you can trust them, then by all means have them do the work for you. They can do the work for a lower labor rate.

Your car has a timing chain not a belt also, since all maximas offered in 96 came with V-6's. Maybe you meant drive belts? And the Timing chain labor cost for replacement is... WOW! 11.8 hours to replace, or 10.8 just for the camshaft chains.

Your radiator should take around .2-1.1 hours labor to complete, depending on your transmission. You could save some cash on this one by taking it to a radiator repair shop instead of having a mechanic replace it. The radiator shop should be able to tell you if it's salvagable or not.

It is 1.3 hours to replace power steering hoses.

CV boots are quoted at 2.0 hours for one side or 4.1 for both.

As for absolutely needed, I would deffinately take care of the radiator first, unless you have some weird Maxima that has a four cylinder instead of a six, then I would have the timing belt and water pump done... (You might as well have the water pump done while you are in there, otherwise you will be replacing it soon, and paying all that labor cost again to replace it. So, pay it once and do the water pump at the same time. Should only be about a 50-100 dollar difference to have the pump done.) Do the Radiator first because if you accidentally over heat the car then you may be needing a new cylinder head because you can warp them by over heating them.

Do the drive belts if they really need it.

Do the CV boots because if the sockets dry out then they could sieze, and you'll have to replace the whole axle.

I would just keep an eye on the power steering fluid level and get to the hoses last.

Answer 2

The timing belt? That is a good one! your car has two drive belts A/C alternator and powersteeering belt and camshafts water pump are driven with a chain. VQ 3.0 liter engines from 1995 have chain instead of belt cam drive. After market radatior 220 dollars at a radatior shop installed PS pressure hose nissan is about 200 and suction hose 35 dollars you can even do that one. Own a philips screwdriver? CV half shafts 2 boots each installed at axle place are about 200 each. Shop around You just happened to come along and the mechanic needs to make his car and house payment all with your car...

Answer 3

the fact that they told u that the timing belt was cracked and it doesnt have one, tells me that they are not to be trusted. get a second opinion. u can look at your cv boots. they look like rubber accordian cones at the end of the axles on the front wheels. see if they have split open. run your hands over them and feel for splits or u will see grease flung out. they are about 200 each. if your radiator was cracked, u would be spewing out antifreeze. are you? u can get a new radiator for 100 bucks and maybe 200 to put it in. what is the color fluid leaking out? how fast is the leak. if it is ps fluid and it is very slow, screw it and buy some fluid and top it off every so often. good luck.

Answer 4

CV joints and boos $300 max
Timing chain $300 to $400 at independent repair shop
radiator $200 max do it yourself
radiator $350-$450 independent shop
power steering hoses$300 max at independent shop

Start with radiator and timing chain both have to be removed to do timing belt.
CV joints and boots and power steering hoses may leak a little but are secondary to the first two

Answer 5

Buy a book...read it...do it yourself...save money$$$$...start with timing belt,most important.

Answer 6

Time to cut your loses and move on
New car time for you

Answer 7

find an honest mechanic, they're taking advantage of you. But it all needs doing, and soon.

Answer 8

R/U "A DYI" TYPE OF PERSON? WELL YOU CAN AT LEAST REPLACE A BURNED OUT BULB/FUSE IN A CAR! YEARS AGO; A COUSIN ASKED ME IF I KNEW HOW TO TUNE-UP MY 1972 VW BEETLE. I REPLIED "I DON'T KNOW HOW! HE SAID TO ME: "YOU CAN READ CAN'T YOU:!!