Trainman

Glad you found it, hope it helps.

Yup, thats it, they gum up. The thread has a huge write up, with photos and recommended sprays but I just use a silicone spray from the auto parts store. Mine need to be re-done come to think about it now that below freezing temps are here.

Yes, a common problem. There is a big write up on it but darn if I can fine it this morning. And cold weather makes it worse. Essentially what you need to do is spray the tracks with a silicone lubricant. No need to remove the windows, just stick the little tube down each side and spray away.

Well Done!

I also use photobucket and the current version has a pre-made tag that you click, it copies automatically to your clip board, then you just have to paste it where you want it. Very slick. And as noted, does not take up any space for the forum, helping out here a bit I hope.

My hobby is trains, both real and HO scale models so that is where it came from. On train related forums, I use "Pathfinder" as my alias.

Ah, the variable valve timing sounds like the answer. Yes, I hear a change then too, and have always put it down to the VVT. Our Sienna also has VVT and it does the same thing.

The trannie cooler is integral with the rad, so it would be a good idea to replace the rad (and hence the trannie cooler) at the same time as the trannie. Just a thought. Same issue with the timing belt, as it is the same motor.

Ha, not an issue here in the Great White North 2wd Pathfinders were never sold new here, only as used imports from the States, so it is something I never even look at as I assume they all have it (the 99.5 shown does as it has the transfer case shift lever next to the trannie shifter).

I know nothing about the pre 96 Pathfinders but I will offer these comments on that 99.5: It will have the older motor, you need to make sure the timing belt has been dealt with or you have it in your budget to do. I also question why the trannie had to be done at 110,000 miles, is this a sign of poor regular maintenance? The one good thing here is they seem happy with Pathfinders as they have bought a new one (so they claim anyway). Looks clean but make sure you give it a good going over. Offer whatever you are comfortable with paying, all they can say is no.

I was not questioning your choice, the Highlander is a great vehicle from what I have heard. And we are very happy with our Sienna. You will be happy too, I am sure. Torque is also a factor, and the 3.0l Toyota engine is a little low on that compared to the 3.5 Pathy, as would be expected based on their displacements. We do find the 3.3 in the Sienna to be a bit of a slug at higher speeds compared to the Pathfinder but fuel economy is way better (we can average 34 mpg in the Sienna at 110 kph) so you will be good there too I am sure. Congrats on the new ride, any photos yet?

Sorry to contradict Simon (Pezzy is so going to squash me) but my dealer said that yes, bypassing the stock cooler for a bigger one in the VQ motors can result in a trannie not getting warm enough. I had that issue but dealt with it in 2 ways: put the stock cooler back in the loop, ahead of the aftermarket one and added a winter front. No issues now. But I never got any noise, just rough shifts. So I can not answer your question about that.

More power? Not really: From Canadian Driver Used Review The first Highlanders were powered either by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder (155 hp; 163 lb-ft) or a 3.0-litre V6 (220 hp; 222 lb-ft), both shared with the new-for-2002 Camry sedan. Both engines were mated to a four-speed automatic transmission; no manual was offered in Canada, but one was available to U.S. customers, at least in early models. Fuel consumption, according to Natural Resources Canada, ranges from 10.7 L/100 km (city) and 7.9 L/100 km (highway) for front-drive, four-cylinder models, but the optional all-wheel drive resulted in significantly higher consumption: 11.8 L/100 km (city) and 9.1 L/100 km (highway). Older V6 models were rated at 13 L/100 km (city) and 9.7 L/100 km (highway)

Yup, sounds like low break fluid. Check it out.

Looks nice and clean. The steering wheel looks like it is losing its colour. Mine is black and has been good so far. What is that wire hanging down by the accelerator? Should ask about that.

To answer the best I can: AT's: Not as troublesome so I have heard. Frame rot: No frame, no frame rot No issues with rust in the west, may be a different story back east or US mid-west? 3.5: Only issue is the one noted. Timing chain: life of the chain. I have not heard of any life issues on the chain. Ignition coils: Never heard of this problem. Sensors: I have had both a cam timing sensor and O2 sensor go, both before 120,000 km but I did not consider those to be big deals. And I am not even sure the cam sensor went, it may have been some bad gas that tripped the code and the dealer just changed it out. My 3.5 seems to much prefer premium fuel, no more SES lights for me. I like mine a lot, you should be pretty happy with a R50. As for that price, no clue. They are selling here for aorund $16-18,000 CDN.

If oyu have the underbody spare (rather than the rear carrier mount) you will not be able to put a bigger tire than stock in there without modifying the parts that stop the tire from moving side-to-side. trust me, I know as I tried to do that. What I have done in the past is in summer, use one of the snow tires as a spare, reverse in winter. But since I upsized the tires by an extra inch, they do not fit underneath. No problem if you have the rear carrier tho.

This happened to a friend of mine about 10 years ago with their near-new Blazer, the rear window just blew in while they were stopped at a light. So I guess it does happen, maybe more often than we think. As for air pressure differential, there are enough leaks and built in vents so unless it was an incredibly sudden and violent change, that should not be an issue. All I have to do is look at all the dust that comes in mine, even when the beast is parked with the windows done up

Wow! Glad no one was hurt. I have only heard on one sort of similar issue, but it was the front windshield of a full size pickup and it happened on a gravel road so a very good chance of a rock n=being thrown up. That being said, I have thrown rocks onto myself and along the side without anyone else around, but no window imploding. I had the drivers side window on our Mystique replaced under warranty when it got a chip on the top edge for some reason, I did not want something like what you went through happen. Are you sure there was no chips on the glass edges? That, combined with a nasty bump or a rock hitting the window could cause this. And i doubt you would hear the rock (or whatever hit/triggered the window) as it would have been near instantaneous. Again, glad no one was hurt and good driving to keep from crashing into someone else.

I get squeaks from the doors and the rear, it just means the weather stripping is drying out so a little silicone works wonders. It sis so dry and dusty here that I have to do it every couple of months to keep all the squeaks down. Our van sliding doors are real bad for this too.

Here is how I saw this whole thing: 88 reads a review by CanadianDriver (a web based automotive magazine that deals primarily with Canadian content or issues of Canadian interest) of used 90-95 Pathfinders and believes it is inaccurate in several ways. He sends them an e-mail noting the issues in detail. He gets a reply back from CD politely pointing out that as a Canadian web site, they review Canadian models. So 88 then asks Canadian NPORA members if we had ever had 2wd Pathfinders. As good forum members, we Canadians were happy to let 88 know that we do indeed get different vehicles than the US. That should be the end of the story. But it gets a second life.... Your posted a definition of a "rant": 88's original post does not meet your definition as it is not a "series of complaints", it was one complaint that was dealt with. So 88's post is not a rant, so 88 has nothing to apologize for, hence my post saying just that. But your series of posts on this topic, plus the personal jab at me and others (I will let the "pedantic" comment slide, I am an auditor and can get caught up in little details) makes you the one who is ranting. Anyway, I am done, the turkey will be in the oven tomorrow for a nice early Thanksgiving. Hope you have a good one too, Vsicks or whatever you celebrate down under in October. I understand the British do not celebrate Thanksgiving at all, maybe it is just a NA thing?

I did not read it as such, just someone who was trying, based on their experience, to make a good review even better. And after the facts of the Canadian market were pointed out, he graciously acknowledged that he, in fact, did not know it all. We all learned something from this I hope. No need for 88 to apologize for anything.

Yep, as noted, NO 2wd drive Pathfinders of any generation in Canada, W or R series, 2 or 4 door. Also different trim levels as well, so the differences mentioned in the article and 88's comments are probably both true, depending on what side of the border you are on. I also thought it was a polite reply from CD and good comments from 88. PS: Frame rust is not an issue in Western Canada but due to long distances between gas stations, fuel tank size could be. We have lots of Check Your Fuel Next Service xxx km signs here

As noted, really good news you are OK (how bad is the person who hit you?). Looks like the beast took some punishment and did what is was designed to: protect you. Almost looks like you got nailed in the right/rear, then spun and got hit again in the middle of the left side. No rollover anyway.

I wonder what kind of reception you will get here. I contributed a few posts to your topic at CarTalkCanada back last summer (and one today to bring back up from the dead ), glad to see you are making strides in the numbers (5,000 to 18,000 in a year and a bit by the looks of it). I may sign the Pathy up, will wait and see a bit.