1993-2001 all had the same engine (KA24DE), so I have no idea why the previous years would be rated higher on engine quality than the '01. But this thread could be some help:
Used cars vary man. Basic wear and tear and how well the car was taken care of all affect the quality of the car, and what kind of condition the car is in. Take it to a mechanic and get a overview of the car you are interested in buying to get a idea of the overall condition of the car. Thats one way you can definitely find out what kind of condition the '01 you are interested in is in.
__________________
The Alt.™
1999 Nissan Altima GXE
Pretty sure that engine sucks the intake manifold gasket into the intake frequently and costs anywhere from 500-1000$ to fix. Do it yourself is a MAJOR pain tin the ass.
__________________ 2008 Altima 2.5SL
Radiant Silver
Charcoal Leather
Rear spoiler
35% HP Metal Tints
OEM Flea fogs
That's crazy if it's true. I didn't know it was even possible to suck in a manifold gasket. Does it just get brittle and break apart?
Also, it also just occurred to me that the 93-01 Altima probably uses some close variation of the 240SX engine rotated 90 degrees and mounted to a FWD transmission. I was always under the impression the KA was a very reliable motor...
I'm not sure why the engine's reliability rating would change from year to year, but I'm just citing what I saw on Consumer Reports. It wouldn't surprise me if Nissan made minor adjustments each year, but the engine was rated to be very reliable pre-2000, decent in 2000, and to have major problems in 2001. Seems a bit odd.
Is there any specific mileage this happens at or around? Can you prevent this? I'm sure going WOT and redlining your car all the time will speed this up, but what about regular day to day driving? Is it just something eventual?
One of the "changes" was that the area around the #4 cylinder intake gets a lot hotter, ruining the gasket.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Offbeat
That's crazy if it's true. I didn't know it was even possible to suck in a manifold gasket. Does it just get brittle and break apart?
Also, it also just occurred to me that the 93-01 Altima probably uses some close variation of the 240SX engine rotated 90 degrees and mounted to a FWD transmission. I was always under the impression the KA was a very reliable motor...
I'm not sure why the engine's reliability rating would change from year to year, but I'm just citing what I saw on Consumer Reports. It wouldn't surprise me if Nissan made minor adjustments each year, but the engine was rated to be very reliable pre-2000, decent in 2000, and to have major problems in 2001. Seems a bit odd.
98.7 k? Kidding!!!! Most of them happen before 80k from what I've heard, but I'm not sure , heck it may never happen to you. You just never know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NickS
Is there any specific mileage this happens at or around? Can you prevent this? I'm sure going WOT and redlining your car all the time will speed this up, but what about regular day to day driving? Is it just something eventual?
I got one of these pieces of shit... sorry guys I know this is a nissan forum but I'm just upset.
Yes, yes, and yes.
The intake manifold gasket went bad for me around 60k or 70k, the front bumper is loose and it seems to be a constant problem, there isn't an easy way to fix/tighten it. My valve cover gasket is leaking like crap and oil is going over the engine and my car has only 90K now, and one transmition gaskes is also "sweating".
BUT my biggest problem ever was when my instrument cluster (gauges) started going dead all of a sudden. Now my car is down - dealer said needs an ECU and cluster, wante 1800 bucks. Told him to go **** himself - now i'm waiting for used parts to come from the junk yards and I'll do it myself.
I read one of you guys saying this car has a similar engine with the 240SX? GOD, I had that car, it was a 1988 and that car had window and ECU problems as well, just like my 01 GXE - freaggin Nissan, in 11 years probably never changed a thing but the looks of these cars.
Speaking of crooks.
__________________
2001 Altima GXE - 4cyl
Special Edition
I read one of you guys saying this car has a similar engine with the 240SX? GOD, I had that car, it was a 1988 and that car had window and ECU problems as well, just like my 01 GXE - freaggin Nissan, in 11 years probably never changed a thing but the looks of these cars.
Speaking of crooks.
I thought the first year of the 1st Gen. 240sx was '89, but anyway, the first two years of the 240 had the KA24E, and the following years had the the KA24DE, which is the same engine that is in our cars in rear-wheel drive form.
I was very interested in buying a 2001 Altima GXE until I took a look at the Consumer Reports ratings.
Can anyone tell me why the 2001 received the worst possible rating under "major engine trouble spots," while the previous years rated much higher?
Was there a major recall I should be aware of? Should I be worried?
Just get it man, I've never had a major problem with my '01. I bought it Nov. 2004 and sold it Feb. 2008. The only problem I had was a bad thermostat, which I picked up from Haberstad Nissan for $13. Any other small issues I ran into were my own fault, for example when I upgraded to headers, I f*cked up the lower o2 sensor and had to buy a new one.
In fact, the kid that has it now lives up the road from me and I see him flooring it all the time, so the car can handle some abuse.
I got one of these pieces of shit... sorry guys I know this is a nissan forum but I'm just upset.
Yes, yes, and yes.
The intake manifold gasket went bad for me around 60k or 70k, the front bumper is loose and it seems to be a constant problem, there isn't an easy way to fix/tighten it. My valve cover gasket is leaking like crap and oil is going over the engine and my car has only 90K now, and one transmition gaskes is also "sweating".
BUT my biggest problem ever was when my instrument cluster (gauges) started going dead all of a sudden. Now my car is down - dealer said needs an ECU and cluster, wante 1800 bucks. Told him to go **** himself - now i'm waiting for used parts to come from the junk yards and I'll do it myself.
I read one of you guys saying this car has a similar engine with the 240SX? GOD, I had that car, it was a 1988 and that car had window and ECU problems as well, just like my 01 GXE - freaggin Nissan, in 11 years probably never changed a thing but the looks of these cars.
Speaking of crooks.
Sucks man, you got a shitty car. Sell it and get a better Alti...
I got to fix it first though.... and NOTHING.... NOTHING that I do will fix it, replaced ECU, UMCU, i'm just dumb founded now... have no idea. One thing's for sure, will never buy a nissan again
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Heh, maybe I'm good or maybe it was previously replaced 
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