First post

kruitz · Sep 2nd, 2003, 06:57 AM

Hello All:

I picked up a "new" '95 Sentra w/ just 53,500 miles on it a couple of weeks ago for a new commuter vehicle. (Say good-bye to my '87 Volvo 240 wagon w/ 200k miles) I like the car a bunch, the mileage is good even with the A/C cranked, though it does feel like I'm dragging an anchor around!)

Last week, I was indoctrinated into Sentra repair as my alternator went out on me. It wasn't too bad of a job, though of all the alternators I've ever replaced, this was the first that had FOUR bolts and a radiator hose that had to be removed. I was looking into replacing the belts while I was at it, but could not loosen the power steering pump. The Haynes manual is junk as it's photo points to a banjo bolt on the hose as the bolt to loosen. Do I need to loosen the pivot bolt as well on this, along with the one on the bracket?

Am currently using Nissan oil filter and their copper washer - is there anything better to use or is it just fine?

When the car has run at highway speeds, then down to near idle like at a light, about three times it has blown a clould of blue/white smoke out the exhaust. Is this the valve stem oil seals starting to go bad?

If I want to hop it up for more oomph, should I start with an exhaust header or go for a CAI? How does Pacesetter compare to Hotshot?

Thanks for the blower resistor fix - it worked great and only took two minutes to change it out!

Thanks for your time, and sorry for the long post with many questions.

Best regards,

Dan Kruitz
Elgin, IL

fugiot · Sep 2nd, 2003, 06:56 PM

don't know about the rest but do the headers first. It'll free up a lot of low-end power. Hotshot is usually recommended over PS, so I'll have to go with Hotshot. I'm going turbo very soon, so it'd be a waste of money for me.

kruitz · Sep 3rd, 2003, 06:28 AM

Any idea if there are any comparisons of the different header systems out there?