2005 05 Pathfinder problems fuel sensor evaporative emissions air conditioning

[curvecrazy]

Its my gfriends car and she's being made crazy and making me so.

Bought new in 2005. She had timing belt problems before with the tensioner and belts going every 20k miles.

Now she tried to have it inspected and it failed on emissions. The check engine light is on and they are telling her its a fuel level sensor and an evaporative emissions system control valve circuit or some such.

She ponied up and payed the $620 to get the work done which include lowering/removing the fuel tank to get to the fuel level sensor apparently. So I guess the car passed inspection now. They told her the fuel level sensor will make the check engine light go on and they can't pass the vehicle for inspection if the check engine light is on. Sound right?

Doesn't make sense to me cause seems to me the fuel level sensor would have nothing to do with a check engine light but?

So, more problems. Her air conditioning stopped working in the last month or so too. They diagnosed and offered her up a $1100 estimate. Apparently, the air conditionin line running to the back of the vehicle is rusted out after three years of ownership?????????? WhatTF? Are you serious?

So the deal is the body has to apparently be lifted off the frame to access those lines to replace those lines to fix the system so her air conditioning can be made to work again. ????

The repair person at the counter pointing out that the winters here are hard and corrosion is a problem and apparently justifying that the air conditioning line rusted out in just three years of regular highway commute use... no offroad at all.... and only 54k miles.

Any thoughts anyone? Is this ridiculous or is it just me?

[SnowSurfLax]

Seems squirrely to me. Shouldn't that be under warranty?

[curvecrazy]

My understanding is that the warranty on these things is 5yrs or 50k miles. She's just over the miles.

It all sounds squirrely to me. First, the fuel level sensor(fuel pressure sensor?) should not fail ever. Second, the vehicle should not have any problems passing the emissions test in just 3 years and 54k miles. Its been well cared for. Never abused. Oil changed regularly and properly maintained including washing/waxing regularly.

Thirdly... I can't imagine how an air conditioing line could rust out in three years time. Especially one thats so hard to access you have to raise the vehicle body to get to it. So how did the corrosion get in there if its that obscure?

These two areas, emissions and air conditioning are unfortunately two areas where I am woefully ignorant in terms of mechanical knowledge myself.

I could see a fuel level sensor sticking and needing cleaning maybe? But situated so you have to remove the fuel tank reach it? Doesn't seem like a good design if thats the case. fwiw

[jb77]

According to the dealer I use this is becoming a common issue (fuel level sensor). I had the same issue with mine at 42k miles and it was causing the check engine light to go on along with not registering the fuel level or the DTE. It was covered under warranty but only because I had purchased the extended warranty for mine. Bumber to bumber is 36/36. I've heard of people having A/C issues but I haven't heard about the repairs yet. I haven't had any issues with the timing belt but I did have to replace the the tensioner pulley, the front drive shaft (under an unofficial recall) and just this week the rear drive shaft. Good luck.