Just received my first vehicle, need assistance from maxima gurus please.

Hello everyone and thank you for hosting such a large and knowledgeable forum for the general public.

I just received my first car from a good friend of mine. It's a 1987 Nissan Maxima, v6 3.0L full door sedan. Firstly, I know next to nothing regarding vehicles, this car was given to me at no cost was detrimental as I have had former family issues and am on a very limited budget as I do not have any support system at this time. Secondly, I have been around used cars my entire life and can easily comprehend general used phrases and acrynonyms. However, I am requesting help today from everyone who is willing to reply to this post.

I reluctantly posted today, in hopes of finding individuals that would help me as I pass through this extremely difficult stage of my life. Here's the low down on the vehicle:

1. The car had an electrical problem and wouldn't hold a charge for 2 hours. (Alternator was in it's final phase of degradation) I had to replace that, cost me $205 labor included.

2. The car has been parked at my friends house for 6 months or over, essentially he gave up on it because he took it to unreliable and uneducated mechanic that could not locate the problem, yet my mechanic did, and it runs great! Cars are meant to be driven, from my stand point, I know that the fluids need to be drained if you are planning on placing a car in a non-mobile position for 6 months! Thus the urgency to flush, renew/refresh the system, pleas guide me in doing so.

3. It has never been in a wreck and the body and engine are in perfect condition.

4. New brakes, shoes, and rotors.

5. I'm quite concerned about the radiator, spark plugs, transmission fluids, basically all the fluids in the system I'd like to drain out and put new fluids in.

5. It did not pass inspection this year, my friend does not know why, that's when he gave up and bought a new car and gave this one to me.

I agree, it needs work, but I have made it a zealous agenda to undertake on my own, and I'd like the help of users on this board.

Any tips, possible check lists or anything else I should examine, please post your thoughts!

I have just received my check today, and I'm planning on draining the radiator and the reservoir and putting in new antifreeze.

Also, the odometer has stopped working and has stopped at 167,230 miles. I wish to try and replace and replenish everything I can without taking it to someone to do it for me. I'm very quick to acquire knowledge and apply it, so learning and deciphering information about cars should be challenging yet enjoyable.

The vechile did not come with a manual. That I need to purchase from a dealer tomorrow.

Pleas guys, I'd love all your thoughts, criticisms, opinions, how-to's; anything that would help me immensely prolong this cars life and driveability until I'm able to afford a newer car.

Thank you so much!

- Best Regards,
- David Steele
- Take Care

I would not go and change all the fluids right away "just because". Change the oil ($10 @ wal-mart for supplies) Check tranny fluid, if auto pull up dipstick and look at fluid should be reddish, not smell burnt. Sounds like a speedometer cable for odemeter, does speedometer work? Usuall odemeter runs off speedometer, unless this model is electric and has no cable then its either speed sensor or dash panel circut, check fuses. The place that test emissions should be able to tell you why it failed. Is Service Engine Soon light illuminated?

...was given to me at no cost ...

Why? --->expensive to keep running if u cannot do everythin uself. If youre tight budget, in the long run cheaper is to purchase 4cyl stanza or whatever... Well, I dont:)

Your vehicle is so called 2gen maxima. Still, lots similar issues with 3gen, check out this site atleast http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/14. At left, click on Favorite Links for manuals sites...