Repair 7

Some Nissan models - particularly the ZD30 Nissan patrol, have had a history of serious engine problems over the years, including piston cracks, head cracks and cracked cylinders and engine blocks. Nissan has taken steps to rectify the issues in recent years. If you have a cracked cylinder, that means that the recess in which the piston slides back and forth has become damaged, resulting in the air/fuel mixture leaking out around the piston. If it is the cylinder that is cracked, rather than the piston, you may have to replace the entire engine block.

Diagnosis and Troubleshooting

A cracked cylinder will generally result in the loss of compression in that one cylinder. You may notice your engine "missing," running poorly and lacking in power. If your car runs at all, you would notice poor acceleration and poor performance on hills. However, there are a number of other issues that could cause this same problem. You may want to check your spark plugs for proper gapping and functioning. Also check your fuel injection system and your head gasket. Each of these items is much less expensive to repair, and would cause similar symptoms, so rule each of these out before replacing the cylinder.

Parts

If you determine that your engine problems are, in fact, the result of a cracked cylinder, and the crack is too severe to weld shut, you will need to replace the engine block itself. The cost of the engine depends on the year, make and model of your Nissan. Expect to pay between $1,800 and $2,000 for a fully remanufactured engine block. However, you may also be able to find a complete engine in the aftermarket for around a thousand to $1,500, depending on the make and model of your Nissan.

Labor

Generally, auto mechanic shops have a shop rate prominently posted in the customer service area. This is the hourly rate that the mechanic charges, generally in addition to the diagnostic fee, if any. The mechanic will give you an estimate based on the shop rate, times a multiplier from an industry guide called "The Mitchell Book" that lists how much time it typically takes to do a repair. Expect to pay between 8 and 10 hours of labor charges to do a full engine swap, depending on the make and model of your vehicle, assuming there are no other repairs to do.

Master Cylinder

It is possible that your mechanic is erring to your master cylinder. The master cylinder converts mechanical energy from your foot pressing down on the brake pedal into hydraulic energy, which is then distributed through the power steering system to your brakes, or to your clutch. You can get a new brake master cylinder for about $100-$120. For clutch master cylinders, expect to pay about $30 to $60 for the part. According to CarsDirect.com, the average cost of a brake master cylinder replacement is $200-$300, including labor.

An automatic vehicle window failure usually results from a damaged or broken window regulator or window motor. The motor powers the regulator, which raises and lowers automatic and manual windows.

Window Regulator

The window regulator comes in various designs, so the cost depends on the type your car uses. Window regulators for foreign luxury cars are generally more expensive than common domestic cars. The price ranges from $90 (e.g., 2005 Ford Taurus) to $378 (e.g., 2011 Mercedes Benz CLS550), according to RepairPal in November 2010.

Window Motor

The cost of a window motor can range from $96 dollars in a more common vehicle, to $264 on a more expensive, rare vehicle.

Labor

Generally, it is more expensive to repair a foreign luxury car than it is to repair a common domestic car. Trucks can be even less expensive, as it costs as low as $30 or $40 dollars to replace a regulator in some makes and models. Car regulator labor costs can range from $115 to $145 dollars in common cars and range from $314 to $400 in luxury cars. Window motor replacement labor costs range from $82 to $105 in common cars and from $315 to $400 dollars in luxury cars.

Its almost as though theyre trying to irritate their parents. Back when it debuted, gearheads regularly referred to the Impala in reverent tones as "the SS," or "the 409." Later "enthusiasts," though, came to think of the Impalas chrome emblem as depicting a leaping donkey, and the "Donk" was born. And so it was that heathens world-wide devised a whole new way to irritate Mom and Dad.

Pads

As of 2013, youre looking at about $15 for the cheapest front pads, and the same for the rear. Add in $15 for ancillary items like brake fluid, anti-squeal lubricant and brake cleaner, and you can expect to spend about $45 minimum in parts to replace the pads on all four wheels. some of the better pads can run upward of $50 per set, for a total of about $115 for the best brake pad replacement possible.

Rotors

The cheapest front rotors are about $37 a piece, and the upgraded "severe duty" name-brand front rotors are about $50; dimensionally and in terms of materials, the two are identical, and the cheaper rotor is actually a bit lighter. The cheapest rear rotors are about $25 a piece, and 5 pounds lighter each than the $40 slotted rotor, which will last longer and run cooler. The most expensive rear rotor is about $55, but doesnt offer any real advantages over the $25 rotor. So, add between $124 and $210 for four new rotors, depending on the units you choose.

Shop Estimates

Shops typically determine labor by "book time," or the number of hours the shop manual says the job should take. They multiply those "book hours" by the shops per-hour labor rate, which as of 2013 is about $40 to $65 for a decent independent mechanic. Book time for the front pads is 1.2 for both sides, and 1.6 hours for the rear; which means $50 to $80 for the front pads, and $64 to $104 for the rear. Thats about $115 to $184 for labor. Suggestion: If youve got a floor jack and basic hand tools, just save yourself the money and do this simple, DIY job yourself.