Nissan Problems

WE RECEIVED quite a few emails from readers who have experienced the problem or know of it. Nissan released a service fix for it that appears to do the job.

THE highway fuel consumption seems fine. The consumption around town could be because you drive short distances from a cold start. A significant part of your running could be in the cold enrichment phase, which will increase consumption. It doesn't sound as if there is anything dramatically wrong with your car.

THE A33 Maxima is one of the best-performing used cars there is. It has a good record for reliability. With only 60,000km, the car you're considering also has low mileage.

THE Maxima is a very reliable car. Very little goes wrong with them if you maintain them well, as the car you are considering seems to have been. I wouldn't have a problem recommending the Maxima.

IF YOU'RE not happy with what the dealer has done, and I reckon you have every right to be unhappy with the fuel consumption you're getting, contact Nissan (ph: 9797 4111) and ask for their technical people to take a look.

YOU seem to have done your homework well. The Pintara was Nissan's attempt to build a local car to compete with the Toyota Camry. It was regarded as a decent car in its day. It also sold as a Ford Corsair.

LOSS of fuel pressure is always a possible explanation when a car is difficult to start in hot weather, but several problem areas need to be checked.

THE factory clutch is a bit marginal and usually starts to shudder before actually failing. Most people replace it with a heavier-duty aftermarket clutch, which seems to last much longer than the original.

THE Nissan will happily tow your campervan, but you might consider fitting higher-rated rear springs to avoid the rear end bottoming out, and replace the auto transmission oil with a high-quality oil.

Did they hone the bores in the rebuild? If they didn't, or even if they did, I would be suspicious that the rings are not properly seated on the bores and the smoke is blow-by. The problem could also be because you didn't run it in properly after the rebuild and the bores have glazed.