90 Maxinma, auto trans. Running rough in town, at stops; slow to accelerate
after red light (ie the gas pedal is depressed further than normal to get
it going). On the highway, it ran ok.

Took it in, they ran some diagnostics and this is the report. "Fuel pump
scopes poorly, but fuel pressure and flow are still good. Timing had to be
set at the distributor, beyond max advance to get it to run better. Scoped
ignition shows poor - fire line all cylinders lean. Checked air flow meter
- out of range. The tune up parts are all good. The blets will be due soon.
Recommend replacing the Timing Belt."

Estiamted cost - $900 to replace Timing belt, other belts and airflow
meter.

Of course I was hoping for a simpler answer. But given what was written -
do you think we have other stones to turn over, or should I just bite the
bullet and get the repair done?

judyg wrote:
The timing belt is what it is, and should be replaced if it's older
than 60-100k. (Dealers love the 60k mark, but in reality 100k is an
acceptable life. But if it breaks - the engine is destroyed - so
justify it how you wish). When they say the belts will be due 'soon',
then I would find out how soon and schedule a time in several months to
get it done. It costs enough that I personally would wait until it's
actually due if it looks ok.
The airflow sensor fix is very easy. You can find it between the air
filter and the engine. You'll probably pay a big sticker to get it over
the dealer's counter. I suggest looking on eBay or a junkyard to get
another one and try that first for a fraction of the cost. The fact
they are so easy to swap sort of makes silly to pay a dealer for it
unless you would prefer to shell the $$ once and forget about it. The
only trick is they adjusted the timing, and if that was to cover for the
faulty airflow sensor, then it will need corrected when the good one is
installed. Fortunately many DIY mechanics and any cheap auto repair
shop is qualified to do that.

Dave

judyg wrote:

I would find another shop to take a second look at your Maxima if the timing
belt was really damaged you would be walking already. I think they are just
trying to get a belt job when they have no idea what is really the problem.

bonedrypowder wrote:
The shop said "The belts will be due soon. Recommend replacing the
Timing Belt."
That doesn't imply it's damaged at all, only that it's getting close to
its rated service life. Depending on how close, and how often this
customer comes to the dealer for service, it's far from an unreasonable
recommendation. However, if they aren't clear exactly when the timing
belt is 'due', IMO it could be considered padding the bill.

Dave

Thanks for the information. The shop has a good reputation, but I'm not
sure they really really know what's wrong. They said that the timing @
distributor was really bad - did I have work done lately (no, just what
they've done over the last year). How long ago was the timing belt changed
- well, that's about 80k.

So from that I think they might think that it is their responsibility to
tell me I should get it changed (being in between 60-100k). But, I wonder
if the air flow meter really needs to be changed too, or if the timing is
all taken care of that would solve the air flow meter?

judyg wrote:
blet and air flow meter issues are un-related.

CD