Altima 2000-3rd Time Intake Manifold Gasket leak.Cylinder 4 Misfire. Bank 1 too Lean

[troy123]

Dear Members,

I own a 2000 Altima GXE with 128 K miles, and currently am having some issues, I request some experienced members of this forum to take a minute read my post and provide some guidance.
I would highly appreciate it, as I am shortly due for my emission test, and need to get these issues fixed.

> Intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced as there is a misfire and the Service Engine light is ON.
I have been driving the vehicle with the service engine light ON all this while( around 1 yr) the light was staying ON for some days and again going OFF.
This would be the 3rd time I would be changing the intake manifold gasket.First Time it happened around 45K miles.Second Time around 75K miles.and now around 126 K miles.

The dealer quoted $750-800 for this repair alone(replace intake manifold gasket) After the Diagnosis The dealer also asked to replace:
Crankcase Rear Main seal around $750.00
Valve cover gasket - $250.00
Power steering hose - $550.0
Replace Engine mounts $
So totally it will all cost me well over $2K if I got all the above repairs done.which I think may be the cost of this car today.

Therefore I am not sure if its wise to make these repairs, As even after doing these repairs there is no guarantee if anything else major is not going to fail as its already 12 yrs old?(would like the take of other members on this)

Also I would like to hear from long time owners of this vehicle (Altima 2000/2001) if they had these kind of issues and how they feel about my upcoming repairs(Like is it worth getting the repairs done etc)

Would appreciate if anyone recommends a good mechanic who would be able to do the intake manifold gasket in the Atlanta Area? Please let me know.

Welcome all your suggestions.

Thx
Troy

[ihawk247]

250$ for valve cover GASKET? WTF?

[troy123]

Originally Posted by ihawk247

250$ for valve cover GASKET? WTF?

Yes.
All the Quotes are including parts and labor

[ihawk247]

I literally replaced my gasket 2 months ago for 40$. If it really needs to be replaced check this out on how to do it yourself. I would estimate 30-45 mins to complete the job. Plus it would save you a ton on cash.

Replacing Rocker Cover Gasket on Nissan Altima 2001 - YouTube

Replacing Rocker Cover Gasket on Nissan Altima 2001 - YouTube

sorry forgot to add the link. just follow the video. Very easy to accomplish.

[DavidSim]

Wow, some of those prices seem pretty stiff to me (e.g. Valve cover gasket, power steering hose, intake manifold gasket), but I am no expert on the subject.

The rear main seal would be complicated to replace, I grant you that.

When you own an older car, it can get really expensive if you cannot do a lot of the work yourself.

Regards to all my Altima buddies.

[1trucavalier]

Those prices are not inflated in any way that is what it cost at the dealer. #1 how can the intake gasket fail 3 times? Did they not tighten up the screws to the correct torque? Excessive vibration? The instructions and pics for the mounts and the powersteering are all over the net you could possibly fix those yourself with basic tools. Rear main seal transmission has to come out thats why its so expensive.

[StanzaDescendant]

I would attempt all of those except for the IM gasket. Never again will I do that without lift access.

[1trucavalier]

its that bad stanza? what makes it so hard to replace? i have done plenty but never on a KA

[StanzaDescendant]

Originally Posted by 1trucavalier

its that bad stanza? what makes it so hard to replace? i have done plenty but never on a KA

It's a space issue. Like so tight we had to get my friends 13 year old step-daughter to start the nut under the #1 runner when we were re-assembling because neither of us could get our hands in there and manipulate the nut to get it started on the stud. This gasket was never meant to be replaced, nevermind easily like on the VQ engines. You can make it easier by disconnecting the F/R motor mounts and allowing the engine to rock forward. However the bolt in my rear mount is frozen so that option was out. There's a couple walkthrough's in the FAQ but unless you've done them consistently the shop rate for how many hours is very much not an exaggeration. And the worst part is, if somehow you mess it up you won't know until the very end when you start it back up.

[troy123]

Originally Posted by ihawk247

I literally replaced my gasket 2 months ago for 40$. If it really needs to be replaced check this out on how to do it yourself. I would estimate 30-45 mins to complete the job. Plus it would save you a ton on cash.


Replacing Rocker Cover Gasket on Nissan Altima 2001 - YouTube
sorry forgot to add the link. just follow the video. Very easy to accomplish.

Thanks for the posting.
however do I need to replace the rocker cover gasket?
I have to get my intake manifold gasket replaced.
Do you know if I can get the intake manifold gasket done for a cheaper price?
sorry if I am asking stupid questions.

Thanks

[lifeofbean]

Find a good independent shop to do the work - the dealer will almost always be far more expensive. Check Yelp for a good shop in your area.

The rear main seal can be ignored as long as you keep an eye on the oil; the transmission has to be removed to get to it.