New to forum

[Cruzader66]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum. I just picked up an 02 Pathfinder LE and am trying to learn as much as I can about it. I bought it to use as a 2nd vehicle, mostly for the winter and it'll come in handy for camping trips. Already I don't really care for the sound system (Bose 6 speaker) . . a little too much midrange for me. I'll be replacing that soon. Also, I get this slight but numbing vibration at highway speeds, and I'm hoping it's just my tires which are pretty much ready for replacement. But other than that, this thing rides and feels like it's new, considering it's got 115k on the odo.

Your advice, comments, and suggestions are most welcome . . . don't be afraid to get technical- I'm very mechanically inclined, probably around a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10 for backyard mechanics, and I do most of my maintenance/repairs myself. Some photos . . . thanks for looking!

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/37/gedc0088.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/gedc0087b.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/64/gedc0095.jpg/

[Buzzman]

Welcome aboard.
This is the first '02 pathfinder I've seen on this forum that's the same blue colour as mine. I have the Chilkoot edition, so I don't have all the bells and whistles you do, but it's all good.
Depending on where you live, the first thing I'd do is have the front end checked out for the rust recall.
Just scroll down the posts, and you'll see a five page posting on the subject.
Good luck.

[Towncivilian]

Welcome!

A potential issue with our VQ35DE engines is the power valve screws can slowly back out of their holes and possibly get sucked in by the engine, potentially causing severe engine damage. Replacing the screws is not a bad idea (since the original screws have been subject to heat and vibration; new screws will stay in their holes tighter), but either way, be sure to use some red (permanent) threadlocker as there is no reason to ever remove these screws for maintenance or other purposes.

I believe a Nissan dealer will charge you $300 or so to do. I'm not sure how much of that is parts and how much is labor - they may replace a couple upper intake manifold gaskets and the throttle body gasket simply because the FSM suggests to, but they are durable metal-backed gaskets so I'm not certain this is required (though I replaced all three when I did this myself).

There is a how-to with pictures here. I've done this process, and it's not very difficult, just time intensive. If you have a decent socket set and a torque wrench that does inch-pounds you're set! Read my thoughts on the process if you wish.

• Change in-cabin air filter - use NAPA Gold (if available) as it's nearly exactly the same as OEM, down to the pleat count - see here for a comparison, and here for a how-to on changing it. Dealer will want about $36 USD for it.
• Change out the power steering fluid - I suggest using a synthetic ATF for best results, such as Mobil 1 ATF or Valvoline MaxLife. Use a suction gun to siphon & fill the reservoir; do this a few times a couple days apart, then once every oil change to keep things fresh.
• Change fuel filter (NAPA Gold 3023 is around $14; OEM should be around the same price as well).
• I'd suggest changing all of the fluids, just to get everything fresh - especially if the maintenance history is unknown.
• Download a copy of the factory service manual here, and owner's manual here if you don't already have a physical copy.
• Go to the dealer, check for recalls if you haven't yet. You should be able to get the entire service history printed out for your Pathfinder - my local dealer was happy to oblige with mine.
• Check out my LED interior conversion!
• Are your seat belts slow at retracting, or don't retract by themselves at all? You can get them replaced for free! Read here.

[Cruzader66]

Thanks guys. I did a bit of research, lurking around on this forum before purchasing, so I specifically checked for that strut housing rust/corrosion issue. I don't see anything, but I'll be taking it to a Nissan dealer soon to have them check it out. This way the recall can also be corrected on the carfax. I do think it's kinda odd that there is no under-chassis cover on the front end- am I missing this panel, or do these trucks not come with one??

The vehicle came with the original owner's manual and other documentation, but that link to the service manual is a great help. The advice is appreciated- I'll be changing all fluids and filters in the coming days. I also read about the power valve screws and I'm planning to deal with that before winter really sets in . . . I don't have an enclosed garage, just a car port. I do have the tools, I've collected a ton of them over the years . . .

[Buzzman]

Yes, there is an under chassis cover, or plastic skid plate/splash guard if you will, under the front end.
You have to remove it for an oil/filter change.
I'm guessing that the previous owner didn't bother putting it back.
I'd suggest you find one and install it.
Mine has been on and off so many times that the screw holes became enlarged, and wouldn't hold the screws anymore.
I had to drill new holes. No big deal.
As for the power valve screws, Towncivilian is right. Check them out.
I have been planning on doing this for a while, and so I bought the gaskets a while back.
They were less than $30.00 from the dealer. The rest will be my labour.

[Towncivilian]

Why do you suggest obtaining a stock undercover? I haven't had one on for more than 6 months without issue (though I plan on eventually putting it back up). I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have. An OEM one is $109. I'd rather buy one from here instead of a flimsy plastic one if I had to.

[Finkle]

How hard do you think it would be to make your own front bash guard out of diamond plate aluminum?

[miamiheat3332]

Welcome, and looks nice. As long as you do the maintenance, these run forever, one thing id consider doing if they salt alot around where you live is what i did here: painted-underbody-t452233.html , rust is the first thing which will kill these cars, and mostly any car.

[Cruzader66]

I'm in North Jersey and they do salt the roads alot. And I probably wouldn't bother with the under chassis cover if it weren't for that. I got a bad feeling about this winter . . .