Problems with 2001 SE 3.5

[Slaxl]

Hi Guys,

i'm taking in my Pathfinder tomorrow for a checkup because i have a few issues.

One - i have a "ping" problem where the valves they rattle like crazy - but i use only 91 octane and i occasionally throw in an octane booster. One guy sugeested that it might be advanced timing and that the ECU may need to be reflashed.

* I notice that the pinging is the worst when it is sitting in traffic for a while or has been idling for a long period - it seems that heat really messes it up.

Two - when idling the rpm drops to about 500 threatening to shutdown but then it recovers.

Three - Its burning through fuel like a chain smoker goes through cigarettes.

Four - The check engine light is on.

So i will be taking it in tomorrow but just wanted to get your opinion on the matter so that i could kinda get an idea what to expect.

Thanks,

Slaxl

[fleurys]

For problem...

one: This sounds like the dreaded power valve screws issue... Ask your mechanic to check if all the screws of the intake butterflies (power valves) are there. If some are missing, valve/cylinder damage have certainly occured.

two: MAF ... or a vacuum leak somewhere... the check engine code might clarify this

three : my path (2001) makes around 20 M/g on highway and 15 on street...what is yours like ?

For the number one, it's 2 hours job and it's worth every penny. If all the screws are there, take the opportunity to lock-tite them before reinstaling everything. As for the MAF, if it turns out that it is the culprit, you can save mucho dollars by doing the maxima MAF install instead. A few searches on this forum will bring you the right pages.

Good luck and let us know what they found.

S.

[Empty V]

Two: could be a lot of things. You could be throwing the dreaded 1320 code which is what I'm having diagnosed by the dealer Thursday. This sounds more like a misfire which could be a ton of different things. One shop had my R50 for 6 weeks and still couldn't find the problem. Check out this thread for some info on what I've gone through. - More R50 Woes
Billy

[asnorton44]

Sounds like alot of the same problems I had, I replaced the coils, plugs, and MAF and everything runs like a dream.

[Slaxl]

Well all it turned out to be was one oxygen sensor issuing 2 error codes contradicting itself - the 2 codes were one being mixture too lean and the other was mixture too rich - MPG seems ok and the idling problem has stopped. And the SES light has come off.

When it comes to my valve rattling problem (pinging) - the shop says they believe it to be a carbonization problem. I don't think its the Power Valve screws because if it was i'd already be buying a new engine.

I also have a terrible sway that occurs on the highway - it occurs on any portion of road at anytime (smooth pave, rough pave, wet) - its not the lower control arm bushings - but everything was inspected and turned out to be ok but i don't like this sway that i get. Weird thing is - is that it occurs when it wants to - - it can occur on a stretch of road today and tomorrow if i try to repeat it going the same speed and try to take the same drive line it doesnt happen. Oh well - nothing man makes is perfect so we will just have to see what happens.