Oil leak and serpentine belt falls off

LESLIEAHOLA

MEMBER
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA
2.6L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
178,000 MILES

Paid $3,300.00 drove three months oil leaking bad, serpentine belt keeps falling off(oil). Cleaning engine to find leak. Will not start, almost starts. Belt fell off last try? My plan: clean engine charge, new battery, replace old gas. Some one said T.P.S. Car has electric throttle motor. I do not have information on how to check. Problem is getting it started. No issues until oil leak started and belt falls off. The labor for this will be a lot. Changing engine might cost the same. I have $2,000.00 to get this done. I need to ask, is this throwing good money at a bad car? A used engine can be found. After all the repair the bar will still have 178,000miles.
what do you think?

5 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Do this first: do a compression check on all cylinders first. then throw belt away and clean all pulleys with choke cleaner and put a new belt and tensioner on. belt should quit getting thrown off unless something else is out of alignment. take plugs out and use a propane torch to burn all the gunk off of them . check fuel pressure with a gauge auto parts rent it. if check engine light is on scan for codes and if security light is on reset security system or it wil never start. also, check battery for condition including load. most places will do for free. See links.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

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Saturday, January 28th, 2017 AT 6:44 AM

LESLIEAHOLA

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Hmac300, thank you for all your insight, the heads up about the security light is one that never entered my mind. This is why fresh eye's can see more than most. I will be working all day on other cars then work, then the car. I will post the results of your input. Crazy busy for the next thirty six hours. Hope I remember all the tools I will need. Little sisters wheel bearings (Saturn) cold as ever. Think about the happy place and keep moving.
Once again, thanks for caring enough to help my busy self.

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Sunday, January 29th, 2017 AT 7:13 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

I would use brake cleaner to clean the oil up carburetor spray is oily. Also, if you have a oil key that has to be addressed or the oily belt will just keep happening. Keep us posted about what you find.

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Sunday, January 29th, 2017 AT 7:26 AM

LESLIEAHOLA

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4 POSTS

Saturntech9 (what a great name) thanks for your support. I can only hope both of us have an outstanding day!

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Sunday, January 29th, 2017 AT 7:35 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Thanks, I came up with the saturntech9 name because my first tech number as a Saturn service tech of over sixteen years was the number 9. I hope you have a wonderful day as well.