2002 Nissan Altima S from North America - Comments

I noticed that the anti-freeze in the overflow take was disappearing. Once the car cooled off I checked the radiator and found that the radiator was down to just above the internals of the radiator. I topped off several times and it disappeared. I noticed the car was making some banging on start up and was having a rough idle, but it cleared up after just a few minutes. I guessed that I must have a small head gasket leak. In addition, the check engine light was returning a code of miss-fire cylinder one. I pulled the spark plug on cylinder one and did not see anything to indicate water was getting into the cylinder head and I also checked the number 4 cylinder just in case I had them backwards. Both appeared the same. I also checked the oil and again nothing to indicate water in the oil. I than decided to get a can of Bar's Leak and put it into the radiator. I followed the procedure completely. The check engine light went out about two days later and has stayed out. The rough starting problem is gone and the car fires right up. So it looks like I have a small leak probably when the radiator is fully pressurized that goes into the number one cylinder head. Once the pressure gets low enough the leak stops or really slows down. This is probably why the radiator never appeared to get below the internals of the radiator, but the rough start never appeared to stop. I will continue to follow this car and any lawsuits that may arise, as Nissan appears to have problems with the head gasket in this car and the Pre Cat that appears to the destroy the motor, as it self-destructs. So far my car hasn't shown any signs of the Pre Cat issues. However, I did find the car down nearly two quarts of oil one day. Since that time the car has had oil changes over about 12-15 thousand miles without using any oil. The only thing I can think of is that I used two partially filled containers thinking they were full. However, I have observed this bizarre behavior in other cars over the years and than everything is fine for years. It just doesn't make sense. Otherwise the car has done well. The car belongs to my wife, who I shouldn't have ever told about the possibility of head gasket leak and the repair. Just about suffered a nervous breakdown over the whole problem. I assured her that I would keep an eye on the problem and if need be replace the head gasket. She has one more semester of school and is stressing about the money needed to fix the car. The comments on the Internet indicate that the head gasket replacement runs about $800-$1500 dollars. Based on the Internet comments it certainly appears that Nissan should be offering to fix this problem under the warranty.

This is exactly what has happened to my car; it was diagnosed with a leaking head gasket. I have not put any bars in it yet. I have stopped driving it until I can figure out what to do. I may just trade it... Did bars help it start better?

Fine a report with better bussiness bureau.

I too own a 2002 Altima 2.5 that I just purchased back in May 07' with 47k miles. Two weeks ago (@ 58k miles) had it towed into dealership and they are telling me it's a head gasket issue and cat convetor and that a new engine would be the perfect solution... at my expense. We (the dealership & I) are trying to get Nissan Corp to replace engine... still awaiting their decision.

I feel this is a MAJOR issue and we all need to do something. Please give your thoughts or comments.

I purchased my 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5s new. Now at 83,000 miles, when I start it in the morning it runs very rough for about 10 seconds. After that it runs just fine. However, after a 60 mile trip, the "service engine soon" light came on.

My local Nissan dealer says that it over-heated and the head gasket has blown and allowed coolant to enter into the cylinders. The dealer suggested that I put in a new engine and radiator for $5,500. He says that Nissan will not do anything about the problem because the car is now out of warranty.

I see that a number of other people have similar problems. I don't know whether to replace the engine or sell the car. Any suggestions?

A couple of weeks ago my temp went up on my 2002 Altima SL. I got home only to find the clamp on top of radiator hose has come off. We fixed it, everything was fine then for about 1 month, and then the same thing happened with the top. I was told to replace the clamp and to flush the radiator, which I did. The car drives great, no noises or anything.

I drove about a mile today and the temp started to rise, so I took it home, and when my husband came home he noticed that the oil had water in it. That car was never run hot and the check engine light has yet to come on. What would do this? PLEASE HELP!!!

Tina.

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5. It has 141,000 miles on it and it is burning oil like crazy. Back around 100,000 miles, I noticed that it was also going through a significant amount of anti-freeze. Not a week goes by when I don't have to add some. Same thing with the oil. I am going through about a quart per week and have been noticing a strange clicking or buzzing sound upon acceleration. It goes away after I have poured some oil in.

I have done some research and this is a consistently reported problem. Many folks have started reporting the regular loss of anti-freeze and oil beginning in the 80,000 mile range. There is a whole website devoted to this, but I am not sure if I am allowed to post links on this website.

My wife has a 2002 Altima with a 2.5 engine. The car would run rough for about 20 seconds after first starting and then smooth out and run good. Had to add antifreeze several times. I figured that the car had a leak somewhere. I took the car to a local garage for an oil change and a tune up to fix the rough run on start up. The mechanic found coolant in the number 2 and 3 cylinders. I went to the place that I had purchased the car because I had bought an extended warranty. They told me that the engine had a blown head gasket. The head gasket was replaced. When I purchased the car it had 39,000 miles and head gasket was replaced at 95,000 miles. I just picked the car up from the shop and it runs great.

I have a 2002 Altima as well. 90k miles, blown head gasket, cat converter, and now they are telling me there is engine failure as well. I am calling the claims dept tomorrow.