R51 roar on start up

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brickbox
Posts: 272
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 6:44 pm
Car: 2011 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4

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So over the past year, my R51 Pathfinder makes a roaring sound (not grinding or screeching, just a roar) for the first couple of seconds on cold startup and goes away.

I don’t see anything obviously broken or worn out. Serpentine belt is in good condition and feel taut using finger push test.

Any thoughts what this could be?


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AZhitman
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Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
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I'd suspect a belt tensioner going bad or a failing fan clutch first.

brickbox
Posts: 272
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 6:44 pm
Car: 2011 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4

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Thanks. I think it’s the fan clutch since it roars like a plane engine. There’s no belt squeak or squeal

I am able to turn the fan on a cold engine about 1.5 turns despite the fact I can’t get good leverage. Is that normal or too loose?

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AZhitman
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Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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That's too loose. Common failure, I just replaced mine on my D21.

brickbox
Posts: 272
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 6:44 pm
Car: 2011 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4

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Thanks AZHitman.
Out of curiosity, did you change yours with a Nissan OEM one or do aftermarket clutches suffice? I’m debating getting one from AM Autoparts because they seem have a 10 years warranty.

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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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I used aftermarket.

brickbox
Posts: 272
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 6:44 pm
Car: 2011 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4

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Great! Appreciate the quick response.


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