2000 Nissan Maxima not sure

Tiny
JAYKEY421
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156,000 MILES
I changed the radiator, water pump, oil twice, and the timing-> (something not the belt or chain) I took it and hooked it up to diagnostics at a part store and the only thing it says on the machine is the intake sensor is bad. I cant figure it out it hasn't jumped timing it runs fine when u drive it no skipping or anything but when its just idling there is a ticking sound and smoke is coming out not sure from where or why. When I first crank the car up it sputters a bit and ticks instantly until it warms up then it just ticks.
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 6:09 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

What was the actual Code? P**** it will help in figuring were to go next.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
JAYKEY421
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I'm not sure the code # but it said the air intake thempature sensor
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Ok, what did you mean about "I changed the radiator, water pump, oil twice, and the timing-> (something not the belt or chain) " What do you do to the Timing if didn't change belt/chain?

The Smoke is it coming from the engine compartment or the tailpipe?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 7:12 PM
Tiny
JAYKEY421
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok my husband and I just bought the car Monday we checked it for leaks it seemed fine. We drove it about 3 1/2 hours home with no concerns but when we got home.A few hours later my husband went to the store and noticed there was smoke coming from under the hood and he looked that night with a flash light and he noticed a crack in the radiator on the very top. So that's why he replaced the radiator and it wasn't leaking so he was told it could be the water pump that was bad and messing up the radiator so he replaced the water pump. He replaced the timing tensioner and he changed the oil and oil filter twice he changed it yesterday and today the smoke I didn't notice a color to be honest no smell we cant tell where the smoke is coming from its in the back under the hood in the middlish more to the left side though. The car isn't running hot. The only driving we have done was him testing it after he was done with everything and it drives fine no skipping no problems really except the smoking and ticking (its kind of loud)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Ok, Not sure why since he had the front of the engine torn down he didn't change the Timing Chain, But anyway if the tensioner he replaced wasn't set right it could cause Timing Chain Slap or what people call Ticking.

The smoke could be an oil leak running onto the Exhaust Manifold.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
JAYKEY421
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Well he didn't replace the timing chain because we are about broke now we wasn't expecting to have to buy anything for it. How could you tell if it jumped timing or if a head gasket is blown or anything serious? There isn't any service lights on in the dashboard. Do you think it is drivable
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Ok, The smoking I am not to worried about right now.

The ticking could be a problem if it is the Timing Tensioner hasn't set properly. And since it is running normally with no problems other than the ticking. The Timing is good for now.

What he needs to do to check the Timing Chain Tension is to put a socket on the Crank Shaft Pulley Bolt and move it one way then the other feeling for slack. If there is slack in it then the tensioner didn't or wasn't set properly. If no slack then could be valve slap caused by weak valve springs. Also was the ticking there when you bought the vehicle?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
JAYKEY421
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok I asked him about the ticking before we bought it he said it wasn't ticking but it had chain slap and was broke that's why he replaced the tensioner. He said the tension only goes on one way and he said the piston came out and sat where its suppose to go.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Ok, if he has a long (At least 16 inches) Screwdriver or something he can use as a stethoscope to place in different areas of the engine placing his ear on the end to see if he can determine a specific area the ticking is coming from.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 9:19 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Water Pump Replace/Remove Content

Water Pump Replacement
VIDEO
Water Pump Replacement
In­struc­tional re­pair video
VIEW MORE