Nissan3

I think the VQ35 motor is just as reliable as the VG33 engine. I have had my VQ for a year now and have put 19000km on it with no problems what so ever. I have infact taken the manifold off to locktite the powervalve screws but thats really all i have done for it. The ignition coils and the O2 sensors I think are only a problem for the 01 pathys since that was the first year the engine was put in, because i have yet to have any of those problems. As for the manual lever I have seen them on the XE's for the 01, but as I am from canada, nissan discontinued the XE in 2002 so I think it's all knobs from then on unless you get a 5 speed manual then you get the lever. Anyways good luck with your decision.

Are bad strut bearings really that bad for the power steering? Because I still have the stock bearings in mine and the struts are starting to make popping sounds over bumps but I really don't want to replace them until my actual struts go... suggestions? thanks

When you replaced the struts did you replace the strut bearing as well? could be rusted or even the strut mount insulator, mine does the same thing and im pretty sure its the strut bearings but im gonna wait to replace it when my struts go. anyways good luck with that

It's just big white plastic clips that hold the fabric in place, most of the time you can just use your hands to pull them down and off but you can use a big flat headed screwdriver to make it easier. Its pretty simple to get them off but a real pain trying to tug them back in place, you should be able to do it just have to fight with the clips a bit

I have a set of the oem wheels and some tires to go with it if you're lookin

Hey guys, tryin to sell my stock pathfinder wheels over in the parts for sale section, but with no interest. Thought I would post over here as well Thanks link

Just wondering, is there anything special that needs to be done to activate the block heater. I got an 03 chilkoot edition I've heard the heater comes pre-installed but you have to purchase the cord and have it installed? Mine already had the cord when i bought it. Reason i ask i've been up north and used it a few time but i don't even know if its working. Is there supposed some clicking sound or anything when you plug it in? Thanks

Could very well be, what condition is it in? usually if you take the cap off you can see little burn marks on the underside of the cap. Have you ever replaced the cap and rotor? but then again if they were bad you would think the truck would be running bad all the time and not just at start up

When was the last time that you replaced ur spark plugs? may be a possibility

I would also go with the 01-04 r50, just cause I love me 03. I have also heard nothing but good things about the 96-00 pathfinders as my brother has a 97 he's had since new with 240000km on it and no problems what so ever. But having said that I just prefer the newer r50's because of the 3.5 liter, I think the 3.5 is just as reliable as the 3.3 the main difference between the two is the power for sure but also the VQ35 has both aluminium heads and block where the 3.3 has the cast iron block. I also find there seems to be issues with the 01 though as they tend to have coil issues and O2 sensor problems I have yet to have this problem though. Another is the power valve screws coming loose and getting sucked into the engine, but if you can catch it early its a very simple job to do yourself. But all in all they are grreat trucks and very reliable. Dodgerex if you want a more offroading r50 you might wanna look into the SE's as they have slighty bigger tires a bigger rear diff and Im pretty sure they have an LSD anyway good luck in ur decision

You could just have some debris in the blower motor, leaves and pine needles are common to find in there, try removing the glove box and taking out the blower motor, I believe its in the white plasic housing

Hello all. I want to try replacing the front pads and rotors on my 03 pathfinder myself. I've read the fsm and seems simple enough. The thing im wondering do I really need to by new hub caps or can I reuse the old, also is there anything else I need to replace? I read the article from flordia xtreme xterra on the bearing repack, and it says to replace the inner seal??? do i really need this? any input would be greatly appreciated

If they're glazed one trick you can try is black silicone, just put a small dab on ur finger and put it on the tread of the belt. Worked great for me

cool, thanks for the help guys. It sounds like the alternator belt not the AC, at first I thought maybe the power steering pump cause it was squeeking around that area. But las night I went at it again, and tightned both belts cause it still feels like there is some flex in them so they can't be "overtightened" I started it and it was still squeeking but not as bad. So I tried a quik fix that a mechanic I worked with showed me, take a tiny dab of black silicone and put it on the grooves of the belt. Voila no squeak, I even started it in the morning, nothing. So hopefully thats the end of it until they need replacing.

hey everyone, my truck recently developed a belt squeek at cold idle, and went away when warmed up. But today its actually been squeeking even when warmed up. I tried adjusting the belt, the thing i don't know is how do you know when its to tight?? I loosened the nut on the idler and tightened the bolt for the adjuster but it doesn't seem to be tightning. Also the belts were replaced by nissan about 6 months ago. any ideas.. thanks

I tried emailing Marcel a few days ago, but have yet to get a response. I sure hope he still makes them, the finder is wide open in the underneath

You'll need winrar to open the zipped file and adobe reader to read it. Not sure what the difference try downloading both and see what the differnece is.

There really isn't much to look out for, with these vehicles, other than those pesky rear window mouldings that rust, but thats just minor. My bro has a 97 pathfinder 240000km runs amazing. I'd say jsut make sure its been taken care of you should be smooth sailing. Good luck!

I think you can use anything, as long as they have a 6x5.5 bolt pattern and the centre bore where the hub goes through is over 100mm

it's all good man, does anyone have the AC flares on there finder? if they could post pics that would be awesome. thanks

csutke, is that where you can ur flares from, or are yours oem?

Just wondering if anyone knows where I can find fender flares. I've found aftermarket from bushwacker, but they offer almost no tire coverage. I've found oem flares from courtesy parts, WAY too much money. Anyone have any thoughts? It's starting to get annoying I'll wash my truck then 2 days later its full or dirt and mud again. I don't even go offroading. thanks

good job ozzy, the finder is lookin sweet.

Has anyone here tried akebono pads? If so, any complaints?

if its a 2001 it should have 16 inch rims, so you should be able to fit 265/70/r16 tires which is close to 31x10.5. And those will fit no problem. May have very minor rubbing in the wells though.