Project Resurrection: The 98 Pathfinder

[IchWarriorMkII]

I have a 98 Pathfinder (Well, it says 99, but only 98 headlights fit it? ) It's got 184K on the clock and a water pump that's dumping a lot of coolant.

 

 

I fear greatly that this poor vehicle has been used and abused and never maintained. (Because it also leaks coolant from the head somewhere and oil from somewhere to be determined.) While I have this thing pulled down looking for those problems, what else would you guys recommend replacing?

 

I have:

• Timing Belt
• Water pump
• Head Gasket
• Valve Cover Gasket

Earlier this year, I replaced the front struts, rear shocks and several other maintenance items and now the back end is bouncy is heck. Anyone ever have issues with perhaps the wrong shocks being sold? If I would have kept the old ones I would have put them back on... these new ones aren't valved correctly or something

[bushnut]

welcome...

I'd do all the fluids while your at it. Both diffs, transfer case, transmission, and brake. also plugs (#6 can be a b*$tch), wires and air filter.

 

as for the rear shocks. what brand? could be you've got the dreaded death wobble, which is related to the bushings of the rear control arms.

or it could be just bad shocks.

I've had to replace my front struts (kyb) twice now in only 2 years. Sometimes they just don't build them like they used to .

 

and remember any questions you may have, will have already been asked so make use of the search function. in any case we're always glade to help.

 

oh and we love pictures!

Edited October 22, 2014 by bushnut

[IchWarriorMkII]

They were KYB shocks.

 

I don't feel any other wobble, just vertical bouncing when I hit bumps in the road.

[ferrariowner123]

Exactly what Bushnut said. I'd also, check wheel bearings, Ball joints, Tie Rods and control arms. At 184k with a suspicion of less than careful maintenence, I'd say you'll find a couple of those blown. Check for oil leaks around the valve covers, it's a very common problem.

 

-Kyle

Edited October 22, 2014 by ferrariowner123

[Tad]

If you are going after the timing belt and water pump I would replace all the related stuff.

We used this kit below and have put 30K on it in 3 years with no issues.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Timing-Belt-Kit-Infiniti-QX4-1997-1998-1999-2000-3-3L-Tensioner-Water-Pump-/360792602159?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5400ea362f

[PINION]

_{Check in with Alkorahil, aka Rob on parts. I got my timing belt gear from him ( Nissan) and it cost about the same as the ebay price. Otherwise what everyone else said. Also flush out brake fluid, especialy if its brown in color.}

Edited October 23, 2014 by PINION

[gv280z]

Earlier this year, I replaced the front struts, rear shocks and several other maintenance items and now the back end is bouncy is heck.

 

Yea, I had this as well when I tried a set of KYB GR8 / Excel G twin tube gas shocks on the rear, they did ride a little jittery, I ended up changing the rears to Monroe Sensa Tracs and those seem to be fine so far.

[fixinto]

Thermostat is in the neighborhood of the waterpump. and the bypass hose. If this is the standard 3.3 that i am used to seeing, i would verify that the head gasket is blown before i replaced it. there are some tubing and hoses under the plenum that can fail and a thermo element that attaches to your idle cam that goes bad. But if its puking coolant from the water pump someone may have overheated it. =( good luck with your project.

 

 

Pat