The next vehicle in the Fixing it Forward series is this 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R owned by Jerry Hall. His son, Bryan, contacted me a couple of months back about bringing his dads car in. Once he said he was a Vietnam veteran, that’s all I needed to hear, he was in.
In this installment we look the car over for existing and potential problems. Bryan was thinking the car might be a total loss. After looking it over, I would have to disagree. Sure, the car needs some work, but nothing that I see condemning the car for.
At least it’s not a 1998 Chrysler Town & Country right?
I’m looking forward to the videos with this one. We’ve got some fun work lined up. Stay tuned.
Camera: Brian Kast
Thanks for watching!
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If you’re not familiar with the Fixing it Forward series, here’s the introduction video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfBnTwpEBu0
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Tools
Tire inflator/gauge: Tire Inflator: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/astro-pneumatic-3081-dial-tire-inflator#oid=1002_1
A22R Flashlight (Small) http://www.coastportland.com/a22r-rechargeable-led-flashlight.htm
Related videos
1998 Chrysler Town & Country Diagnosis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKl6wuvXx60&feature=youtu.be
1998 Ford Contour Diagnosis No Start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM8LA5Yygjk
How To Find a Bad Wheel Bearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdRpnK5MGQ8
Encore Scan Tool Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYIh_quLb9w
Modified Cars, a Technicians Point of View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECjMbkRjVzE
Useful articles.
Engine overheat: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-do-when-your-engine-overheats
No start problems: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-no-start-problems
Idle issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-idle-problems
Performance issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-performance-issues
Diagnosing Noises: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car
Diagnosing Vibrations: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/determining-the-causes-of-vehicle-vibrations
Electrical Problems: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-electrical-problems
Brake Issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-brake-problems
Transmission issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-transmission-problems
HVAC problems: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-hvac-problems
Buying a Used Car: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-look-for-in-a-used-car-purchase
Leaks: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/finding-and-fixing-leaks
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I wish you could look at my car, 03 SE-R Spec V.
Video starts at 3:00
Any insights here? https://youtu.be/PUuubz5_6pA
Nice inspection video btw
I have an 06 SE-R… and all sensors/timing chain are original at 175k. I've heard horror stories… But this car has been driven 80k without serious issues. I'm the 3rd owner… And I will rebuild it when it blows up.
Hey Eric I took my 04 sentra for an alignment today and they said the rear tow bolt was seized. I thought that these cars only had of solid rear axle and couldn't adjust the the rear toe?
God bless our veterans. No matter the politics. The ground and freedom we have was fight and defended for. Thank you servicemen and veterans for our freedom. Also I'm impressed by the son here who actively helps his Dad.
I've never had a Nissan but getting a look at this one and some of the design decisions and obvious longevity is making me think I should give one a try.
That just looks like a good car for its age. Worn but not broken, looks serviceable and familiar like all Japanese cars do.
Nice little car . Nissan seR from the makers of the mighty Nissan gtR..
'The compound can get harder and result in a stiffer ride.'
Ain't that the truth..
Holy hell Eric, you are such a nice guy! Really sad I've only just now discovered your awesome channel. Good news is im now subbed and I got plenty of content to binge watch!
Ugh… My ex-wife had one of these except it was a 6 speed. Kept fuel fouling plugs every 2K miles and Nissan wouldn't touch it because it didn't throw a CEL.
Sad how an injured military vet can't get the help from the government he deserves
Lol it came from East Tennessee Nissan which is my local Nissan dealership
You would think that Sentra would be a 5 speed transmission instead of an automatic
15:10 that's a bad steering rack.
Just went to Kings Island in Mason, Ohio! Didn't know I was this close to you Eric! Anyway love the videos and good luck on your future and definitely hope you return to YouTube to produce more great content.
It pisses me off that our veterans have to live like this. I know they're helping him, but I also know the hoops he had to jump through to get that help, and he shouldn't have to do that.
Something similar happened to my dad back in 99, he started to have seizures and it was eventually attributed to Agent Orange from his tour in Nam. Needless to say he had to fight tooth and nail just to get the VA to pay him a few hundred bucks a month, and even then he didn't get it until around 05.
I'm really happy there are people like Eric who do what they can for veterans.
Hey man I bought a 2003 Sentra GXE 1.8 with 110k miles, and most of the time it shifts really hard from first to second, very very jerky, then other shifts are great. After its very very warmed up, if I give it more gas during first then it will shift smooth. But if I give only about 2k rpm in first to get into second, it wants to shift hard. Should I actually be giving more RPM it seems like I am over revving it, but it shifts smoother if it shifts at 3k+ (I drive like a grandma). I am pretty low xp with cars but know this shouldn't jerk as hard as it does, and I would say is getting progressively worse just since I bought the car, and haven't even put 1k on it yet, so still under 111k. Tell me what you think. This thing also HATES to start. It instantly fires up even on a freezing morning, then after its warm and sits, has an awful start that jolts the RPMs around and sometimes kills itself. What is this all about?
edit: I am a pizza delivery driver and I do try to drive my car like a grandma, but this slow acceleration seems to be screwing me or something, nearly this same exact experience happened in my 1996 maxima during my time with it from 172k-203k. Don't ask why it didn't go past 203k : (
256K miles debunks the saying that Nissan engines are junk that amazing!
Hey Eric I have a 2003 Sentra SE-R automatic have you ran into a problem with idle issues on these cars it idles around 500 and the engine light flickers any help would be appreciated 2.5ltr
hey eric. i have a datsun 280zx that you can do a fixing it forward series on lol. needs floor pan patches, new exhaust and electrical issues fixed lol.
Somewhat uncommon Sentra so I do think it would be something to keep driving
Great job, Eric.
Just hit 200k on my '04 Sentra!
I replaced my vapor control valve… they're poorly located behind the rear tire and it's pretty common for them to get stuck. Thankfully they're easy to replace.
Is the car safe to drive Eric?
strucks r no good dont have to leak.
10:18 – LOL!!!
I love that I'm about to actually own one of the cars you're working on! A 2003 Sentra SER stickshift
whats good witht hte car. no videos have been up about it
The drive test taught me a lot about drive testing to look for issues. Not that I didn't know many of the points, but such a thorough drive test really clarified and focused my mind for what I'm looking for. Thanks.
What ever happened to this car? Haven't seen anything on this one since this video.
common problems to address the butterflies in the lower intake or power valves the screws come out and get sucked into the engine remove the upper intake and replace the screws with new and use red lock tite to secure them replace the stock exhaust manifold with a header to avoid precat failures that destroy the engine those 2 things will keep the engine from destroying itself
the long crank is due to the fuel pressure regulator common problem with these cars let it prime for a few seconds and it will light up
255k miles on a stock untouched qr25de and the catalytic converter hasn't grenaded the engine? thats impressive lol
weres the video on this car
Hey Eric i have the same car when would you upload the next videos of Nissan Sentra
thank you for your service Jerry Hall!
A bad vent control valve would also cause a gross evap leak too, no?
That's Nissan for you. Bullet proof.
did we ever get a next part?
Awesome diagnoses of these issues! I have an '00 Infiniti G20 with 80k miles. I'm the original owner. Never changed fuel filter or trans fluid and filter. Do you think I should do either or both?
I wish the UK looked after their service personnel and veterans as well as the US does. We just get treated like crap.
hey eric what are your thoughts of wifi vehicles and have you ever worked on Chevrolet cobalts before and what do you think about them? your biggest fan josh c
Just WOW!