Getting my "new" Pathfinder in shape

[wotsac]

I picked up a 2002 Pathfinder this weekend with a quarter million miles and change ($1000, so I figured why not?). It's been rode hard and put up wet. So far I've done the following:
- reattached the driver door latch mechanism, all of whose mounting holes were ripped out
- zip tied the lock actuator module on the driver door latch to the mechanism
- oil change (Mobile 1 high miles)
- bank 1 sensor 2 O2 sensor.

Remaining obvious issues:
- it looks like I've got a pending P0430 code. It hasn't popped a CEL since I reset after doing the O2 sensor, but I think it's in the opposite bank, so that may be coincidental. I need to get the car through emissions to register it, so I'm nervous.
- there's a weird buzzing that shows up some times at speed. It sounds like something vibrating in the wind (the air deflector on the roof rack maybe?). There's no corresponding vibration feeling in the car or the wheel.
- lots of random clunks in the suspension.

Questions:
- Since the O2 sensor in the other bank was pretty clearly bad, is there a good chance that replacing the O2 sensor in bank 2 position 2 would clear the P0430 code? Or do I just need to replace the catalytic converter?
- Is there a well known fix for buzzing sound?
- What should my priorities for fixing other stuff be if I want to get a couple years and 10-20,000 miles out of the truck?

[04pathse]

How are the strut towers?

97-04-pathfinder-qx4-strut-housing-corr ... 34872.html

[wotsac]

Yeah - I saw that bit. From what I can see the strut towers look fine. I think the truck has lived in the PNW all its life, so in general there's remarkably little corrosion. If the running gear and suspension held out, the body's got another quarter million miles in it no problem.

[PathyPop]

Questions:
- Since the O2 sensor in the other bank was pretty clearly bad, is there a good chance that replacing the O2 sensor in bank 2 position 2 would clear the P0430 code? Or do I just need to replace the catalytic converter?
- Is there a well known fix for buzzing sound?
- What should my priorities for fixing other stuff be if I want to get a couple years and 10-20,000 miles out of the truck?

Before replacing the most expensive and difficult item (the cat), or even any more O2 sensors, I would suggest swapping parts to see if the codes follow. If you have the P0430 pending now then move both those O2's over to the other bank to see if you get a P0420. Also be sure there are no vacuum or fuel leaks (injectors) or coil problems, especially with that many miles.

[yeldogt]

FYI -- I was able to get all the O2 from Amazon the other day for $200 ... OE Bosch. My local installed for $100.


It's all about rust with these -- if no rust it's worth fixing.


The engines do burn some oil .. so watch that.

[wotsac]

I was able to get all the O2 from Amazon the other day for $200 ... OE Bosch. My local installed for $100.

I wasn't seeing that at Amazon this weekend, but it looks like I can pick up the other three senors at RockAuto for something like that price. I doubt there's anyone around here that would install them for less than $200, so I'll probably DIY if it comes to that, but I'm not looking forward to figuring out how to get at the front sensors.

It's all about rust with these -- if no rust it's worth fixing.

That's the feeling I get. There are a bunch of little snarks (the driver's door needs to be replaced) and dings, but the cussed thing looks decent inside and out for a 17 year old high mile truck. I'm coming from having XJ Jeeps, where the rust problem was even worse, and the engine was even more bullet proof. I was losing the floor pan on both of the ones I had, at which point I just figured - nah, I'm good, time for something else maybe.