HELP!! 03 Pathfinder Problems

[avcan]

Hello

I have owned my 03 pathfinder for about a year... it used to sometimes stall after starting... and once started it idles low... so I cleaned up the Throttle body and got better... fast forward 8 months and now it doesn't idle nice anymore like when i first got it, it used to purr before... now its more like the engine is vibrating at different frequencies same RPMs... its not a continuous vibration nor shaking.. its somewhere in between.. when its in neutral its better.... it drives fine very smooth and powerful..

Oil changes been always done on time... gas I use 89 Octane..

It seems like the harder I drive it the worst the idle issue... (just a a feeling not proven yet) because it seems so random...

PLEASE HELP I"M VERY BUMPED OUT and I want this Pathy to last me a long time as its our only vehicle and have a baby on the way soon...

2003 Nissan Pathfinder Chilkoot
181,000 KM
5w30 Castrol oil
Spark plugs changed at 120,000 KM (previous owner)

NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR anything..

THANKS GUYS

[Towncivilian]

Welcome to NICO.

Change your fuel filter (guide) and clean your MAF sensor (instructions at the bottom of this article) to start with.

[avcan]

Thanks,
I was thinking about that as my first step...I'm off to Nissan dealer to buy a fuel filter...

[avcan]

Just changed fuel filter, air filter, cleaned MAF, added fuel cleaner in tank...
Still runs the same... It seems like the engine is lose and moves when you look at it.... Even if you look at the exhaust from the back it shakes... When I drive it's fine and smooth? Any ideas?

[Towncivilian]

See this thread on NPORA, specifically the video. When you shift into drive and hit the throttle, does the engine move like in the video? If so, you have bad motor mount(s).

Out of curiosity, what cleaner did you add to the gas? Not all are effective.

[avcan]

I used the one nissan sold me... It had a Nissan tag on it

I'll video mine to compare... I don't think it's that bad... But I think it would make sense....

Any other reasons why my engine would shake when idling in drive and specialy with the AC on ???

[avcan]

I check the video... I made one of my own... when I hold the brakes and car in Drive and apply gas the engine moves however not nearly as much.. maybe 10% of what the other one in that video... I'm accelerating the rpms to 1500.. anything higher then that the brakes can't hold the car... so I'm not sure if its engine mounts??? how can i visually check?

[Towncivilian]

Is your Pathfinder 2WD or 4WD? Check the main driveshaft for excessive play. Can you post the video?

[avcan]

its a 4x4...

I got under the car today

the main drives-shafts are fine.. both the front and big back one..... they look solid and I get no vibration when driving... (I often do get a hard second gear shift?)

Other findings while I was under the car:

*** Passenger side outer drive axle boot is ripped and there is a good amount of grease around it (is that an easy fix?)

*** slight Oil leak appears to coming for what looks like an oil cooler line??

*** car is rusted the hell out from the bottom... body looks good though

The Vibration or Rough Idle that I'm worried about appears only when I'm say for example stopped at a red light in Drive holding the brakes down (naturally!!) and it seems like the engine is running rough its shaking my seat..

any help with any of the issues would be great.... I'm worried I have a bad engine because it appears to consume oil as well (Not sure how much... could be the leak as well) but I have to top up oil between changes and now i'm going to record how much oil so i'll update on that later...

Thanks Towncivilian

[Buzzman]

The Vibration or Rough Idle that I'm worried about appears only when I'm say for example stopped at a red light in Drive holding the brakes down (naturally!!) and it seems like the engine is running rough its shaking my seat..
... I'm worried I have a bad engine because it appears to consume oil as well (Not sure how much... could be the leak as well) but I have to top up oil between changes

Sounds like it might be the power valve screw(s) issue. Have it checked.

[avcan]

So I talked to Nissan.... They said that they never heard of this power valve thing before???? And they quoted me close to 700 bucks to do the power valve screw thing..... I don't want to spend that kinda money.. I might do it my self but I'm worried.... Anyone here lives in southern Ontario willing to watch me do it for a case of beer? While I'm at it I'll replace the PCV and the spark plugs

[Towncivilian]

$700 my a**, they should charge somewhere around $300 I believe. There is an excellent DIY guide here, and you can always ask us if you run into any problems. I've done the procedure myself (twice). If you provide your VIN, I'll gladly give you the necessary gasket part numbers and PCV valve part number.

Not sure how much it'd cost to replace the CV axle boot, I'm pretty unfamiliar with 4WD vehicles.

Your oil cooler leaking is a very simple and cheap fix - see this thread.

If you don't grease both driveshafts every oil change or thereabouts, get on it! Use any NLGI No. 2 lithium soap base grease.

[avcan]

Hey that would be great... here is my vin JN8DR09Y73W830206... (all zeros no O's)

Thanks for reminding me about greasing the drive shafts... Last time I greased them was about 8 months ago...

I'm going to do the power valves screws.... change the PCV valve.. change spark plugs and go from there... I'v never done them before.. but what the hell i'll follow the instructions...

Still if anyone in Southern Ontario willing to give me a hand for a case of beer....

Cheers!!

[Towncivilian]

• [16175-AR000] GASKET-INTAKE MANIFOLD
• [14033-4W000] GASKET-MANIFOLD, UPPER
• [14033-4W010] GASKET-MANIFOLD, UPPER
• [14032-4W000] GASKET-ADAPTER
• [11810-8J102] POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE

Use red threadlocker for the power valve screws, and NGK PLFR5A-11 spark plugs. Be sure to clean the throttle body very well while it's off the vehicle as well. Use throttle body cleaner spray only. If you haven't yet, download a copy of the factory service manual. To save a copy of the FSM, right click -> Save As on every PDF, save them into a single folder, then use fwd.pdf to navigate.

Good luck! I wish I could help with the job, but I'm a bit far away down in Florida.