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2003 nissan altima 2.5 4 litre engine


2003 nissan altima 2.5 4 litre engine Mechanic's Assistant: How many miles are on the Nissan? Is it an automatic or a manual transmission? My car is in the repair shop for transmission installation n I got a call last WK ...

2003 nissan altima 2.5 4 litre engine Mechanic's Assistant: How many miles are on the Nissan? Is it an automatic or a manual transmission? My car is in the repair shop for transmission installation n I got a call last WK bcus thr was also an oil leak which several experienced non-licensed mechanics cudn't find but was found last wk n the diagnosis was the timing cover n was told it wyd b cheaper to have it repaired by welding instead of buying new part. It is automatic. Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Altima yourself? What have you tried so far? I am paying for it. I barely bought it for cash without knowing about the oil leak n it finally broke dwn wudn't go into gear n wudn't run. I bought a catalytic converter also n asked tht b installed along wit the transmission but requested to find the oil leak. Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? The average cost of everything I jus mentioned being done. I bought all the parts myself so all in paying is labor. I jus want to know if my mechanic is being fair wit me considering I've already spent $1900 so far.

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Responses

Automotive Expert
Hello, My name is\*\*\*\*\* been working on cars since 1990, I have been a Just Answer expert since 2008. Thank you for contacting us for assistance with your vehicle. I will be happy to assist you. You will see an option to receive a phone call prompted by the website, you can agree to or decline. If you do not wish to use the Phone Service, we can continue chatting this way back and forth until you are satisfied with my help. Just keep in mind, it does take me time to respond. I am a Automotive Technician, I am not a fast typer.So lets get started.... Can I ask to whom I have the pleasure of speaking with today?

MelanieU did get my questions I wrote to the chat lady right?
Automotive Expert
Hello Melanie, Nice to meet youI am sorry to hear about the problems you are having with your 03 Altima

Likewise
Automotive Expert
Please give me a moment to re-review you question a second

Ok take ur time
Automotive Expert
What are they looking to weld for the oil leak? Front timing cover?I would never suggest welding a timing cover. I would rather buy one on Ebay if a new one is to expensive.Here is why. So if he welds it. He should be removing it to weld it. If the weld does not seal properly, the it is wasted time and labor.

Wat I'd the average cost of a refurbished one?
Automotive Expert
Let me look for you. Give me a few mins [https://www.ebay.com/itm/Timing-Cover-2-5L-4-Cylinder-Fits-02-06-ALTIMA-217643/143854874725?fits=Year%3A2003%7CModel%3AAltima%7CMake%3ANissan&hash=item217e6b3065:g:cLsAAOSwej1fuCop](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Timing-Cover-2-5L-4-Cylinder-Fits-02-06-ALTIMA-217643/143854874725?fits=Year%3A2003%7CModel%3AAltima%7CMake%3ANissan&hash=item217e6b3065:g:cLsAAOSwej1fuCop)
Automotive Expert
[https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fit-02-06-Nissan-Altima-Sentra-SE-R-2-5L-DOHC-Oil-Pump-Timing-Cover-QR25DE/123395990181?fits=Year%3A2003%7CModel%3AAltima%7CMake%3ANissan&hash=item1cbaf962a5:g:dxsAAOSwAi1dFBtL](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fit-02-06-Nissan-Altima-Sentra-SE-R-2-5L-DOHC-Oil-Pump-Timing-Cover-QR25DE/123395990181?fits=Year%3A2003%7CModel%3AAltima%7CMake%3ANissan&hash=item1cbaf962a5:g:dxsAAOSwAi1dFBtL) There is a couple front timing covers I found for you Let me know if you have any more questions on this. I am going to be leaving for work and will be back online around 6 or 7 pm EST, but will then be online till 10 or 11 pm. Best Regards, Jay!

Thank u Jay my mechanic is spose to strt tht timing cover work this wk. I'll call n let him knw to wait while I get to purchase a timing cover for him to go ahead n install so tht I'm not paying labor for a weld n paying more for a timing chain he'll make money off of n I cud get for a much lesser chrg of a new one + labor. I need to save myself money as I'm on disability n a fixed budget.
Automotive Expert
You got it.

Customer attachment 12/1/2020 3:07:09 PM
Automotive Expert
I can't do the Gif, So I will just say " Thumbs up"

The cover training was said to have a crack, is tht the reason for it leaking oil? I was using a 5 gal oil container a day. I'd use enough to fill up in the morning n tried keeping it filled throughout the day, so buying oil was pretty expensive for me. I was using at least 1-5 gal container per day.
Automotive Expert
Yeah.. Cranks on timing covers does normally mean you will loose oil.. lol

When my uncle looked at it, he mentioned that whoever sold me the vehicle was trying to get rid of it asap bcus the gasket seals were done pretty sloppy like thy were in a hurry and they might've sealed right which could be causing the oil leak but he couldn't find where exactly the leak was.
Automotive Expert
That is horrible. I hate when people do shaddy work.

n I asked the mechanic at the repair shop I have my car at now to redo the seals n I bought the gasket seal kit on Amazon. I asked several times about it but he's never answered me and all of a sudden he says it's the timing cover. I was jus wondering about it.
Automotive Expert
That is scary

It is I jus wntd to knw if I'm being ripped off or if this mechanic is being fair. I paid $1600 in full for an $1,150 estimate on A) transmission installation B) shocks & struts C) catalytic converter D) gasket seals to be replacedHe then starts working on my car and said thy had to fix the cooler, which I didn't notice s problem with, n he did mention something else I can't rmbr right now...n when he told me about the cover timing having a crack in it, he did say it would cost $700-800 more dollars. I'm kinda skeptical at this point.I don't have a lot of money to b paying him for work idk anything abt. I'm jus wondering wat is really going on.
Automotive Expert
You were quoted 1600 for all that?

$1150 for the ones I listed A-D. But thy found the cooler needed to b fixed, I needed motor mounts, an axle was broken (?), n the cover timing.But I paid $1618 in advance n now he said this morning tht it's going to b $900 + as thy're working on my vehicle.
Automotive Expert
The passenger side engine mounts always break on these cars. The axle was most likely a boot that was torn. The cover we talked about. The labor normally to replace the timing cover would normally be around 1100. So they are doing good by you on that. But based on everything else, the charges are much less than I would expect.

Additional work
Automotive Expert
Transmission install, I would say just that alone is around 900 to 1000 in labor. Shocks and struts, that is about 400 or so in labor. The Catt Converter, that is 300 in labor, So after did the math, it's right where it should be. I am only 100 bucks higher.

The transmission install was quoted to me at 680. So I got a deal. But now wit watevr he's finding wrong wit the car he's said it's at 900+ this morning. I've already paid $580 on tht bill alone...Hopefully thrs nothing else wrong wit it...
Automotive Expert
Yeah.. I guess we will have to see

My main concern was the oil leak, I wntd tht more than nethn to b fixed n then my transmission went out. When I looked up my vehicle online, I found tht the were a lot of problems wit tht specific motor as it being the first generation n tht most failures like it stopping while in motion n like my tranny failing was due to the catal cnvrtr which is why I bought my own n wntd it replaced.
Automotive Expert
there are many things I have seen on these cars

I've read more abt it n yeah thy do have a lot of problems I needed a car n this was the cheapest I cud find for cash at the time I paid $1600 but I wouldn't have if I knew thr wud b problems worth more than tht n since this is my only ride I'm trying to at least fix it to make it more reliable so I'm not stranded going to my dialysis apptsI have to travel to treatment one hour one way n back after 3 hrs if treatment
Automotive Expert
I am sorry to hear about your heath issues. I am sure that once all repairs are complete you should be fine.

I really hope so but thts the reason I want my car running n not have to worry abt it breaking dwn n the cost of repairs. We do have transportation to n from treatment for my tribal members n I do go on it while my vehicle is in the shop but all I want is to get home to lay dwn bcus my body is so tired but I have to wait for the other clients tht do go wit me n it's usually an hour n a half to an hour n 45 minutes.
Automotive Expert
Well, it sounds like you are in good hands. It sounds more that the repair shop wants to take care of things that can keep your car from being reliable. It sounds like he is doing right by you.

Thank u I jus hope thrs no more problems. I did tell him watevr needed to b fixed to go ahead jus didn't knw thr was a lot tht needed to b fixed. I am glad n thankful n I thank u too for putting my mind at ease so I knew I'm not being ripped off. Idk much abt vehicles, I knw sum but not a whole lot. N always a second opinion is better for me to understand or to comprehend the situation. Thank u n yes u answered more than wat I wntd to knw. Have a gud evening....
Automotive Expert
Have a good evening, and have a Happy & Safe Holiday! Best Regards, Jay!

Awww thank u, yes u too! �� ��⛄��������‍♂️��‍♀️��
Automotive Expert
Thank you!

My car is finally finished n this is my bill...I don't c nethn for a catalytic converter being replaced, n thy didn't give me my part back. I bought my own catalytic converter n thy we're sposed to install it if necessary. N my gasket seal kit I took in to thm too...I don't c it posted or idk...ok the parts I bought n took in were • catalytic converter • transmission • head gasket seal kit • shocks & strutsFor getting the shocks n struts mounted, do I need to get an alignment now?

Customer attachment 12/16/2020 9:48:22 AM

The mechanic also said he had to replace the axle bcus it was broken but I don't c it reflected on the bill
Automotive Expert
I am going to be honest. For the amount of work performed, that bill looks much cheaper than what I would expect. So I think you did really good!

Ok thx Jay! I feel better.
Automotive Expert
You are very welcome

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