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Nissan Pathfinder Maintenance and Repair

2763 messages,  Last post on Mar 31, 2013 at 11:07 AM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Pathfinder, SUV

Messages Page 254 of 277

#2523 of 2763 2004 pathfinder overheat/thermostat by rf396

Oct 01, 2008 (5:46 pm)

I have 2004 Pathfinder V6 3500. I hate this POS. Been nothing but trouble. 4 years old and has been running hot till it boiled over today. Doing the ol puke out the radiator bit. Plenty of AF in it so I figured it would be a stat issue. I removed the stat with not too much aggravation. Here is what I found. Stat LOOKS cooked. white hot markings on it. The probe on top looks somewhat done in as well. Problem I had was going to my local Idiot palace, I.E. AutoZoned out and found that they list an upper and and a lower thermostat? I cannot find ANYWHERE on this monstosity where an UPPER would be. The one I removed is routed to the lower radiator hose and the upper hose routes way behind the engine. I figure a trip to Nissan in the morning is mandatory, but could this PIG actually ANOTHER stat? And please dont tell me it's BY THE FIREWALL. I may just burn this thing to the ground. Thanks

#2524 of 2763 Re: 2004 pathfinder overheat/thermostat [rf396] by munny

Oct 01, 2008 (6:25 pm)

Replying to: rf396 (Oct 01, 2008 5:46 pm)
the upper thermostat is called a water control valve. it is pain to get to and a dealer part (only about $20). I had overheating issues on my 2001. changed out radiator and lower thermostat (don't forget the gasket for the thermostat - it was not included in my NAPA kit.) has been running ok since.
 
schematic:
 
http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasite/pathfinder-r50-1996-2004/genuine-nissan-pa- rts/exhaust-cooling/210-water-pump-cooling-fan-thermostat/-c-4700_4701_4724_4727- .html

#2525 of 2763 Re: 2004 pathfinder overheat/thermostat [munny] by rf396

Oct 01, 2008 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: munny (Oct 01, 2008 6:25 pm)
Munny thanks for the reply. Was YOUR radiator pretty clogged? or rotted. This one seems ok and the flow looks good. no buildup as far as I can see. Also were you able to get a thermostat from a local source? The morons around here are useless so I'll be forced into going to nissan tomorrow. Also, where is the WCV located and have you ever heard of this being part of the issue as well? When I took this stat out, it LOOKS cooked. lots of white hot discoloration and the probe on top looks bad too. Thanks

#2526 of 2763 Re: 2001 Pathfinder LE - water seepage into front passenger floor [almatti] by almatti

Oct 01, 2008 (7:58 pm)

Replying to: almatti (Sep 27, 2008 4:37 pm)
To All Owners of This model Pathfinder: Found the source of water seepage. There are weep holes in the windshield wiper area. They divert the water from that area down along the inner door hinge area into the door well. There are weep holes in that well area. That allows the water to drain out to the ground. They were Clogged with leaf debris [those freakin polynoses from maple trees mostly] and the water backed up into the door well and into the flooring. My son and I picked up the carpet and the entire floor was soaked, the padding is ruined. The carpet is salvagable. It's been cleaned and dried out (with a shop vac and hair blower). Now the padding will be replaced and the carpets fully shampooed. Hopefully - good as new.

#2527 of 2763 Does this sound legitimate? by agelesswonder

Oct 04, 2008 (4:00 pm)

I moved into the North Carolina area last September. Had the timing belt replaced and new tires, plus tune up. Engine light came on a week later. Adjustments were made and the engine light came on and off until recently when it stayed on. Same diagnostic code...throttle position switch was replaced. A week later engine light was back on...now they tell me it is a leak somewhere and needs a smoke test. My concern is that everytime they do work on the car, I leave only to return with the engine light on and another problem. How likely is it that work is performed and a week later another pops up. You hear stories of mechanics doing things to your car so that they can generate more business. Is it possible this was done or perhaps a tool was dropped causing a hole somewhere? It is a 98 Nissan Pathfinder with 117,500 miles - new transmission back in 2002. Help!

#2528 of 2763 Re: 2004 pathfinder overheat/thermostat [munny] by rf396

Oct 06, 2008 (7:09 pm)

Replying to: munny (Oct 01, 2008 6:25 pm)
Munny, thanks for answering my overheating question . You mentioned the water control valve and that it was a pain to get to. I cant even see it. Looking at the scematic you gave me the link to, it looks like it's mounted between the firewall and the back of the heads, but I cant see it. Is it possible that the throttle body/intake needs to be removed to get access? Also I did the lower stat. No Go, temp is ok at idle but rises the minute you race the engine. Bad Flow. Im going to repl the radiator AND the water pump. Nissan and another local clown are trying sell me on a head gasket. I twisted wrenches years ago and I've NEVER seen a HG blow and NOT have a crank full of milk, or the white smoke parade. I have neither, so I think they're trying to ace me. anyway, anything you can add about the WCV and it's access would be appreciated. Thanks
Rick

#2529 of 2763 Re: Does this sound legitimate? [agelesswonder] by gsemike

Oct 09, 2008 (8:25 pm)

Replying to: agelesswonder (Oct 04, 2008 4:00 pm)
When the positive battery cable is unhooked, the light will stay off for a hundred miles or so while the computer resets itself. It sounds like they're throwing parts at it rather than analyzing the problem.
 
The codes should tell them all they need to know to get to the bottom of it with a little legwork

#2530 of 2763 Re: Does this sound legitimate? [gsemike] by agelesswonder

Oct 09, 2008 (10:14 pm)

Replying to: gsemike (Oct 09, 2008 8:25 pm)
Thank you...have been researching the code which said it was a small evaporation leak. Information about it led to something called a bypass valve?? located under the right rear tire?? Anyway, checked the coolant level in the car and found it to be at the minimum level. Called the repair shop and asked them if they had noticed this when they were servicing the car. Hello....was told that it should have been checked and topped off. Long story short - found out it would be cheaper for me to keep the coolant at maximum level than having to search for a small leak. It's a great car...transmission 5 years old, new tires, body of the car in great shape...I just want to keep it as long as possible. You don't seem to get the service you used to get - everything boils down to having to check in behind people. Frustrating.

#2531 of 2763 Getting the Run-around from Nissan by msmith_31

Oct 15, 2008 (8:02 pm)

I have a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder with 55,000 miles. Two weeks ago the check engine light came on so I took it to the local dealership. They told me the computer read an error with a timing cylinoid. Then they asked me if I knew that the engine was blown. I was a total shocked! They told me there was only 1 quart of oil in the engine, and no oil was registering on the dipstick. They then ran a claim through Nissan Corp to cover it under warranty. This was denied because it was 3 months out of warranty, even though it was under the 60,000 mile threshold. My first problem with all this is there was no warning, no low oil or oil pressure light. I then called Nissan Corp myself to file a claim. They asked if I had the service records, and emphatically insisted that they would need them before action could be taken. I was able to come up with adequate service records, but after insisting I provide the service records they came back and said the service records do not matter. The vehicle is 3 months out of warranty and they would do nothing. Has anyone ever been treated like this from Nissan, or do you have any advice on how I can proceed from here? I am irate at their attitude and lack of willingness to help!
 
Matt

#2532 of 2763 Re: Getting the Run-around from Nissan [msmith_31] by shark715

Oct 16, 2008 (3:56 am)

Replying to: msmith_31 (Oct 15, 2008 8:02 pm)
I have an '01 PF, and when it had 90k miles the Check Engine Light came on inidcating a problem with one of the cataiytic converters. There was a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) published by Nissan describing a software upgrade to the engine computer because the computer would prematurely think the converters were worn out. The dealer upgraded the software at a cost of several hundred dollars, and that solved the problem. I sent Nissan a letter demanding a refund as the software problem clearly existed the day the car left the factory, so the upgrade should have been covered under the warranty irrespective of the age of the car. Nissan didn't even bother to give me the courtesy of a response. Matt, your truck is clearly out of warranty, so Nissan is not obligated to make the repair. All you can do is never buy a Nissan product again, and warn your friends how you were treated. 30 years ago I had a Honda Accord's engine blow within a few thousand miles after the warranty expired, and Honda would do nothing about it despite that I had changed the oil every 3000 miles. I never bought a Honda product again. One other thought. Is it possible that you caused or contributed to the problem by not checking the oil level? You mentioned that you didn't get a warning light. How often were you checking your oil level? You really need to check your oil every time you stop for fuel as the manual says. The reason you didn't get a "low oil level" warning light if because your truck doesn't have one...few vehicles do. There is no subsitute for checking your oil regularly. Your truck takes 5 quarts of oil. For example, if your engine was burning and/or leaking a quart of oil every 1000 miles (not that unusual), and it's been 4000 miles since your last oil change, that would explain why there was only 1 quart of oil left. Driving your truck with only one quart of oil in the engine could certainly be the reason your engine blew. And the oil pressure warning light is merely an indication of a problem with the engine's oil pump. It had nothing to do with the engine oil level. Unless there was a problem with the oil pump (or the light itself), that won't light until your engine is pretty much out of oil, and when that happen's it's too late...the damage has already been done.

Messages Page 254 of 277

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