NissanForums.com :: Nissan Forum - View Single Post - 1992 Nissan hardbody-Need maintenance advice

LilaRose · Jan 11th, 2004, 12:43 PM

I posted this earlier at a different forum topic, but think this forum would be better. I have a 1992 Nissan hardbody truck I bought new and had air conditioning added. It currently has 107,365 miles on it. Other than routine maintenance, I have had only a new air conditioner bearing and new muffler installed. Recently I took it for lube/oil change to my favorite repair people where I have gone for years. I asked them to look for any problems (not a good thing to do as they can come up with plenty!). They told me I need two new belts, front crank seal replaced, oil pan gasket replaced. I looked at my maintenance records and noted that I had already had the front crank seal replaced and the two belts replaced a year ago (I had it done at the local Nissan dealer because the cost was better). So I took the list to Nissan and asked them to see what needed to be done. They recommended engine oil cleaner and conditioner, oil pan gasket replaced, engine flush, brake flush, clutch flush, and gear box service. I asked my friend Matt who knows alot about cars (he has many old cars from the 50's and 60's) what he thinks of the Nissan list, and he said not to do any of it! Nissan said the brake fluid is black and should be amber. The Nissan truck manual that came with truck only says to check the fluid level in brake/clutch reservoir levels and if necessary, fill them up to the max line. It mentions old and inferior fluid as being dangerous, but it doesn't say anything about flushing it or replacing all of it. To my knowledge, I don't think this has ever been done (I would have to go through all my records to see). Also my friend Matt (who lives elsewhere) says that if I use 20-50 oil all year, it will stop the weeping in the front crank seal (he didn't mention it working for the the oil pan gasket). Nissan says to use 10-30 for smaller cars in winter, then the 20-50 for rest of year. SO, my questions: considering all the advice, what does anyone on the forum recommend me having done? Should I do the flushes for engine, brake, clutch? Is it necessary or just Nissan wanting work? What about gear box service, what does it do and what happens if I don't have it done? Don't see anything in Nissan manual about this. Will changing the oil to 20-50 stop weeping in oil pan and front crank seal? What is your opinion on using the 10-30 oil in winter and 20-50 rest of year? Or should I use 20-50 rest of year? I can save about $400 by not doing any of this! I am a secretary who doesn't do much mechanical work. But I DO want to take care of my truck. You can email me at sukie1941@charter.net if you wish.

Jan 11th, 2004, 12:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
LilaRose NissanForums Newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 3	1992 Nissan hardbody-Need maintenance advice I posted this earlier at a different forum topic, but think this forum would be better. I have a 1992 Nissan hardbody truck I bought new and had air conditioning added. It currently has 107,365 miles on it. Other than routine maintenance, I have had only a new air conditioner bearing and new muffler installed. Recently I took it for lube/oil change to my favorite repair people where I have gone for years. I asked them to look for any problems (not a good thing to do as they can come up with plenty!). They told me I need two new belts, front crank seal replaced, oil pan gasket replaced. I looked at my maintenance records and noted that I had already had the front crank seal replaced and the two belts replaced a year ago (I had it done at the local Nissan dealer because the cost was better). So I took the list to Nissan and asked them to see what needed to be done. They recommended engine oil cleaner and conditioner, oil pan gasket replaced, engine flush, brake flush, clutch flush, and gear box service. I asked my friend Matt who knows alot about cars (he has many old cars from the 50's and 60's) what he thinks of the Nissan list, and he said not to do any of it! Nissan said the brake fluid is black and should be amber. The Nissan truck manual that came with truck only says to check the fluid level in brake/clutch reservoir levels and if necessary, fill them up to the max line. It mentions old and inferior fluid as being dangerous, but it doesn't say anything about flushing it or replacing all of it. To my knowledge, I don't think this has ever been done (I would have to go through all my records to see). Also my friend Matt (who lives elsewhere) says that if I use 20-50 oil all year, it will stop the weeping in the front crank seal (he didn't mention it working for the the oil pan gasket). Nissan says to use 10-30 for smaller cars in winter, then the 20-50 for rest of year. SO, my questions: considering all the advice, what does anyone on the forum recommend me having done? Should I do the flushes for engine, brake, clutch? Is it necessary or just Nissan wanting work? What about gear box service, what does it do and what happens if I don't have it done? Don't see anything in Nissan manual about this. Will changing the oil to 20-50 stop weeping in oil pan and front crank seal? What is your opinion on using the 10-30 oil in winter and 20-50 rest of year? Or should I use 20-50 rest of year? I can save about $400 by not doing any of this! I am a secretary who doesn't do much mechanical work. But I DO want to take care of my truck. You can email me at sukie1941@charter.net if you wish.