Tungsten

yep i remember when my o2 sensor failed and the ecu was also sensing a knock, the truck ran like a pile of @!*%

x2 on the PIAA

Fixed it for you! The TBI Pathfinders are VG30i, not VG30E but yes, that's how it is.

Using these simple guidelines, you can have your Pathfinder keep up on the highway, be efficient, and be reliable for daily driving: 1. TUNE UP YOUR TRUCK A proper tune up is the best way to ensure good engine performance and efficiency. If you haven't done it yet, change the plugs, cap, rotor, wires, filters, etc. You will already notice a boost if it has been a while since the truck was tuned up. For spark plugs, use either the OEM NGK V-power plugs, NGK G-power plugs, or the NGK Iridium plugs. They should be in the NORMAL heat range, which is 6. Using these NGK plugs will grant you the most power and fuel economy since the VG motor was designed to run these plugs. I have had success with the V-power plugs but people have also reported good results with G-power and the Iridium plugs. The ignition timing is set by the ECU but it should start at 15 deg BTDC, as indicated by the inside hood sticker. Hint: If the crank pulley has been put on with the marks in the wrong place, make new marks at the engine in TDC or rotate the pulley back into its proper position. For everything else, I suggest you go to the dealer. These are maintenance items so they will not be overpriced at your local dealer. If you want aftermarket, make sure it's a proven and trusted brand like MSD ignition. Also, make sure there are no codes stored in the ECU and that there are no sensor malfunctions. 2. TIMING BELT Replacing your timing belt during the recommended replacement intervals will ensure your engine will not fail from smashing its valves. This should be fairly obvious to anyone that has dealt with interference engines. Don't forget the water pump! Also, setting the timing belt incorrectly will damage the engine or even have the engine throw a rod. 3. THERMOSTAT rated for 180F The VG engine loves to run very HOT for peak efficiency. Close to the boiling point of water! If you will be replacing your thermostat, either a part of the timing belt job or just by itself, get a 180F thermostat unless you live in a hot climate that would require using a 170F or a 175F thermostat. If you see your temperature needle a pinch under half in the winter and a pinch over half in the summer, this is how it should be. The closer the VG engine gets to 205F, the more efficient/powerful it becomes. If your temp gauge needle goes way over half and you tested that it isn't just the gauge, it's time to upgrade the radiator (possibly to a single core aluminum radiator). It is also recommended to perform a coolant change every other year just to keep the cores from clogging. Although generally good quality coolant will last a while. As an alternative, the thermostat sold at the dealer, which is a 170F, will also keep the engine on the right spot. It works much better than an aftermarket 170F thermostat. 4. TRANSMISSION COOLER The transmission cooler is a very important item if you want to run the VG engine in the temp range it should be ran in. You want to keep the transmission slightly cooler than the engine for peak efficiency and durability. Ideally, to avoid transmission overheat issues, you should get one as big as you can fit it, a size of about 16,000 GVW is the minimum recommendation. However, one thing you have to watch for is running the transmission too cold in cold weather. If you have a new radiator, or one that isn't clogged, you can run the transmission cooler inline with the radiator so the transmission can warm up faster in the winter. If you bypass the radiator and run the cooler by itself, make sure you have a way of making sure the transmission gets in the correct temperature range before driving off. 5. FLUID CHANGES Make sure you are on top of all your fluids, don't forget the transfer case and differentials. Visually inspect or replace the transmission fluid after 30,000 mile intervals, especially if you don't have a transmission cooler. Be sure to use the correct compatible fluid or Nissanmatic D. You may be able to get away without installing a transmission cooler as long as you always inspect the transmission fluid. Also, using synthetic fluids in everything improves your MPG rating. 6. ENGINE OIL Use fully synthetic oil in this engine for peak efficiency and performance. If your seals fail from using synthetic oil, replace them with new seals. Dust shouldn't be holding oil in place anyway! Change the oil in between 3000 and 5000 mile intervals and don't forget the filter. 7. PERFORMANCE EXHAUST Nissan's factory exhaust system can become problematic over time. The factory crossover Y-pipe will eventually rust in half and will spit hot exhaust gas on your floor pan, which if rusted, will cause your carpet to go up in smoke and your MPG rating to severely drop. The exhaust manifolds can also pop off the studs since the original studs are too weak. The general consensus is to get Doug Thorley short tube headers and put them on 300ZX turbo studs. The headers will have a superior heavy duty Y-pipe which should not break as easily. You can get creative with the muffler and catalytic coverter. Magnaflow catalytic converters are generally recommended for their efficient designs. As for mufflers, you will hear people either suggest Magnaflow or Flowmaster as they are better than the crap in the can mufflers. This way, your engine will be more efficient and put out more power. 8. AIR FILTER/INTAKE SYSTEM The factory air intake system is already quite good with a short path between the air box and the intake plenum. You can ensure peak efficiency and performance by making sure there is no obstruction between the air filter and the plenum. If you have a dirty throttle body that likes to whine, spray it with some carb cleaner and use a toothbrush. At the very least, you should have either a very fresh standard air filter from a name brand like Wix or Nissan or a performance air filter from a trusted brand, for example, either K&N or HKS (3 layer super hybrid filter). Cold air intake systems have been proven to be effective but with marginal differences and do put you at a higher risk of getting crap into the engine. A clean decent flowing filter will increase your MPG rating. 9. BELTS AND PULLEYS Check the belts for correct tension and make sure pulleys aren't noisy and can spin freely. These should be in tip top shape so that the engine can work nicely with its accessories. Use Gates brand (or NAPA Premium) V-belts for the best results. 10. E-FAN/FAN CLUTCH UPGRADE If you have a seized fan clutch, your MPG rating will drop significantly. Replace the fan clutch with either an electrical fan or a good working fan clutch. For the fan clutch I recommend using either a OEM Nissan fan clutch or one from NAPA by NAPA Temp Products. 11. GOOD BATTERY A good battery will ensure your electrical system is at peak efficiency. I highly recommend using an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery, for example, a DieHard Platinum. An AGM battery will always start your truck and will not ever corrode/eat the terminals. 12. SMOOTH DRIVETRAIN A properly functioning drivetrain and suspension will reduce drag on the engine. Inspect all joints, tension rod bushings, and get an alignment if you haven't done so already. Jack up the truck and spin the tires to make sure nothing is seized or dragging. 13. FUEL RECOMMENDATION The factory user manual specifies to use at least 87 octane fuel. If you use regular gas and it's from a crappy station, don't forget to use the occasional fuel treatment to keep those injectors running well. However, if you do have spark knock or pinging or if you have any engine mods that cause too much spark knock or pinging on 87 octane fuel, then switch to midgrade 89 octane fuel which will lower the risk of detonation or spark knock at higher rpms. Switching to more refined fuel will also make those fuel injectors last much longer as the fuel will have an injector cleaning solution in it. Most people do recommend running 87 octane gasoline so it's safe to stick with that. 14. TIRES Tire size, tread pattern, and pressure are very important in saving fuel. Pick the right tires for what you are doing. Don't use aggressive off-road tires if you don't go off-road. Try to keep the factory issued size tires for best performance and fuel savings. As always, if you want any in-depth information, or browse NPORA. Good luck with your Pathfinder! If anyone disagrees to any of the above points, please reply and state your reasoning.

Yeah the same happened to me!

that and installation is reverse of removal

Yeah been there, got more than just one shot...

Anything on the Rancho 9000 XLs yet? Anyway I have been driving with the Gas-A-Justs for a while now and they have been pretty good. They weren't that expensive and if I do end up mangling one I will just get a replacement. It's not like a broken shock won't get you home...

PM me for part numbers and check the other thread I made: clicky

It was warming up and that fuel gauge is lazy.

there you go something weird happened and now i can drop mine into 4hi too but at very slow speeds like 5mph it will engage if the hubs are locked though it's not a big deal i can switch back and forth at any speed

i agree, get some thicker oil

could be the TPS sensor having dead spots too

VG33ET swap

read the owners manual

i agree, those bumpers and flares need to be blacked out

Kingman wins, everyone go home.

nissan makes it so easy to check, it only takes 3 seconds of your time and you can see if the problem is being caused because the ECU is complaining

tried, starts the same, look how long i held it in the video this was even after a tune up

I like my auto hubs, they work. When they stop working, I'll do a manual conversion. Though the main disadvantage to the manual hubs is that they will seize up in one position if you don't keep switching them between locked and unlocked.

Here's a video I made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDjzK0aTMfM mister510 says that it could be a TPS issue because low fuel pressure would trigger a check engine light and mine comes off

can it rev high when cold? can you pull the code from the ECU?

if you are referring to the rear tailgate, no i wasn't ever a fan of ambulance doors on suvs, they get in the way more i think you are thinking of the isuzu trooper it had those style of doors at one point

a jeep used to be a military vehicle, it had to be cookie cutter the new jeep isn't any different from a regular suv although it is still more capable than most crossovers