The Maxima’s roots hark back to the days of the Datsun 810, when the Japanese automaker used the Maxima name for the top trim level of its flagship sedan. The Maxima officially became its own model in 1985, when it replaced the aging 810 and Datsun completely converted to Nissan. The 1996 Maxima came standard with a 190-horsepower, 3.0-liter engine that used an exhaust gas recirculation system to route some of the exhaust gasses back into the combustion chamber to help reduce emissions. Over time, this valve can clog and require replacement, which is a fairly simple job.
Open the hood and allow the Maxima to sit until the engine is cool to the touch. Find the EGR valve on the driver-side, center of the engine. Pull the rubber vacuum line from the top of the EGR valve, using a slight twisting motion. Loosen the coupling nut on the end of the exhaust-inlet tube – the hard-metal tube – that secures it to the valve, using an open-end wrench.
Remove the nuts securing the EGR valve to the engine, using a ratchet and deep-well socket, and pull the EGR valve off of its mounting studs and from the engine compartment. Pull the EGR gasket off of the mounting studs.
Clean the EGR mating surface on the engine with a wire brush and slide a new EGR gasket onto the mounting studs, aligning its holes with those on the engine. Slide a new EGR valve onto the mounting studs and tighten the nuts to between 12 and 14 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and deep-well socket.
Align the exhaust inlet tube with the inlet on the new EGR valve and thread its coupling nut. Tighten the coupling nut until it is snug, using an open-end wrench.
