Nissan Repair: 2000 Nissan Maxima - Timing Belt or Chain?, nissan maxima se, nissan maxima

Question
I purchased a preowned 2000 Nissan Maxima SE in 2001.  Unfortunately, the car did not have the manuals.  I have about 105K miles on the car now, and I would like to get the scheduled maintenance completed.  However, I feel like the dealerships are trying to take advantage of me because I look like I do not (and for the most part I don't) know anything about cars.  I live in a very rural area, and the surrounding dealers have no competition.  I think they're shady.  Anyway, they are telling I need to have my timing belt changed.  I do not believe I have a timing belt, but I am not certain.  I thought Nissan began putting timing chains in the all Maximas in 1996 (95 was a split year).  Can you please confirm that 2000 Maximas have timing chains?

Thanks.
Crissy  

Answer
Crissy,

A 2000 Maxima has a timing chain and it does not need to be replaced until it stretches and the timing starts going crazy.  Usually, the water pump goes out and you change it and when it goes out a second time is when the chain needs to be replaced.  If these boneheads think the car has a timing belt I would go elsewhere.

For scheduled maintenance I would have the spark plugs changed as well as the belts and hoses.  Request factory platinum Plugs to get the same amount of miles out of the new set.

Have the radiator fluid changed but do not let anyone power flush the system.  What they are suppposed to do in changing the antifreeze is take the drain plug out of the radiator and the block skirts and drain the coolant.  Then they use a hose to fill the system back up and this lets the water clear out the block skirts.  Again, if they recommend a power flush of the coolant do not let them do it as it will blow the heater core on the car.  Have them fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mix of distilled water and antifreeze.

Have the brakes bled with Ford High Performance Brake Fluid as it is the best DOT 3 fluid out there.  You will have to go to Ford and buy the fluid yourself as the Nissan Dealer will not do it for you unless you know someone there that will accomodate.

The fuel filter is in the gas tank and it is not a replacement part.  That is, unless the fuel pump goes out.  So, do not let them sell you a filter change.  When your fuel pump fails you get a new filter with the new pump.  So, do not let them sell you a line.  And, when they try tell them that the filter is in the tank and if they are going to remove your fuel pump from the tank to change the filter screen you would love to watch.  So, tell them not to bother.

Front and rear bearings are sealed and are not packable so that is not an item to correct.

The ignition coils do fail on the 2000 to 2004 Maximas.  So, when yours starts to stumble at idle you will know that the coils are soon to pass.  I just replaced mine on the 2000 Maxima SE I personally own.