Quaintbucket

Glad to hear you figured out how to use it but I wouldn't use it on pavement unless I'm absolutely stuck. Even when I'm offroading, I'm always driving in 2WD until I get stuck then 4HI is what I use to get out, pop it back into 2WD and take a different line unless I absolutely cannot get through... then I use 4HI to get through... 4LO is my "oh poop, i think I got stuck in 4HI..." I've driven up in mountains with snow and loose gravel in 2WD.

I'm sorry for your loss and hope you recover it soon. Maybe break a few guys legs and drag some behind your vehicle in the process too...

I will look at the spark plugs after I clean the MAF and the connecting plug. I'm not sure if I necessarily agree because the failure to ignite would make the vehicle run rich, wouldn't it? I will most likely replace the spark plugs, unless they look relatively new, what type do you guys recommend? I looked at rockauto and I'm taking into consideration that iridium would be best for my purposes since i'm taking my pathfinder into pretty rough elements (extreme temps). I work in an ice rink and we replace them when the studs wear out even though the tires are still 90% treads on them. We're currently rocking Goodyear Duratracs on most of them... and we have extras stored at other facilities. A pick of Firestone Destination, Cooper Discoverer, etc. Most of them are A/T, few are M+S, all with snowflakes (very important!). I got the OK to have them for free since they're not using them anymore. I like free better than $600 minimum. They're 215/85/16. Skinny and tall. I'm currently driving 235/75/15.

My bad about the P0300. Yes, it is random/multiple cylinder misfire. I do not know if the spark plugs have been changed before I got this pathfinder and am working under the assumption as if it has not been changed. It is on my list of things to do. I do know that the timing belt was changed approximately 120,000km ago (recommended to change every 109,000 miles = 170000km) according to the service history so I am not terribly worried but doing it anyway. The cylinder misfiring is not a concern for me, but the emission problems as if I don't pass aircare. P0171 was accompanied by no other codes. Am I on the right track cleaning the MAF, checking O2 sensor, and checking for an intake leak (I'm assuming the best way to do it is to spray carb cleaner around the intake seal and watch for a stumble/stall or change in RPM at idle?) before replacing the cat? and which oxygen sensor is more likely to be the problem? The pre cat or post cat on the passenger side?

Hey there guys! So I had quite an adventure the last few weeks with my 1997 Pathfinder! Failed my emission test but got 3 months of insurance to help give me time to get it fixed! It currently has 260,000km and is an automatic with 4x4. My test results was pretty normal. Slightly a little higher than average for HCX and CO but my NOX was double the allowable maximum limit. My initial thought at the time was the EGR so I pulled my EGR valve off (after disconnecting the battery of course...) expecting to see a carbon buildup. very very little. I cleaned it anyway, replaced the gasket, and cleaned the port as well. Still dirty but not that bad. Check the vaccuum on it. It's good. Checked to make sure it's working while running. It's good. Checked to see if the engine stumble if I push up the plunger. It did. The EGR is A-OK. For fun, we decided to do a seafoam with the can I bought a few weeks prior! That was enjoyable Drove it around. It felt a little better. Ran a little better. No problems for two weeks until my CEL came on. Life got busy and caught me up with a whole bunch of stuff. Then... My alternator on my pathfinder decided to kill its bearings and had the chance to replace it (after 2 alternators in one day and one wrong belt, Lordco sold me a dud that wouldn't charge the battery and the wrong belt by accident). It was running weird for a while, huge loss of power going uphill (going up a hill at 80km/hr and dropping to 60km/hr in a matter of a second...). My dad brought home his OBDII reader from work and we were able to pull the codes out of it: P0325 - Knock sensor P0300 - Misfire on Cylinder #1 Pathfinder is due for a timing belt change. That's on my to-do list for July but it still doesn't explain the huge loss of power. I was worried the alternator was not good enough or something? Checked the specs, it's the same as what I used to have so that should not be a problem. So I was kinda confused and decided to take a closer look at the knock sensor, check all the connections... what did you know... a wire running from the distributor cap to the intake manifold was loose. I pulled it and cleaned it, put it back nice and tight. Drove it around, power's back to normal! CEL went away on its own. Great news! I didn't clear the code with the OBDII for some reason. Then it came back on in a week later. Called my dad, got ahold of his OBDII, checked the codes. P0171 - System too lean bank 1 P0325 - Knock Sensor P0300 - Misfire on Cylinder #1 I don't think the P0300 is supposed to be there since I didn't clear it last time. I cleared the code this time around and drove around until the CEL came back on. I haven't had a chance to check it yet since the OBDII is still at my dad's place. I'm a little confused though, I cleared the codes but P0325 stayed. Is that normal?? The P0171 was the code I've been waiting for a long time now since I failed my Aircare for BC (Can't believe my luck... they're phasing out aircare by December 31 2014 but I can only insure my pathfinder for 3 months! Not good!) Anyway, so I drove for 3-4 days and the CEL came back on with no weird things happening. It has been doing that for a long time. I'm taking my pathfinder to my brother in law since he has a can of MAF cleaner since I have a feeling that's the culprit. If that's not the case, then I'm changing the oxygen sensor but I'm not sure which one on Bank 1 (I know that's the passenger side?? but which one? post cat or pre cat?) I got till August 2nd 2014 to get it fixed. I'm leaving for Hawaii next week and will be back before the end of June. When I come back, I'm working on this and getting it fixed up because I want to ensure it for the full year. Hunting season is coming and I got a major camping trip coming up. TL;DR: CEL comes on and off on its own during multiple drive cycles. Failed Aircare due to HIGH NOX (everything else is normal). Cleaned EGR, Seafoamed. Will be cleaning MAF. If code comes back, then I'm replacing O2 Sensor.... if that doesn't work... then I'm replacing the cat... Having said that, I do plan on going for another inspection anyway once I clean the MAF to see how the numbers changed even if I fail ($25/reinspection). Also, I have noticed my fuel economy has been getting worse. I used to get 450km on a full tank and now I'm looking at 400km on a full tank.... this trip around, I think I'm getting 350-375km... that's pretty bad and can't afford to feed it like that. I got a lot of things I need to do for the Pathfinder pretty soon but refuse to do it until I can get this to pass emission otherwise no point in doing it if I can't drive it! I'm planning on: Replacing Timing Belt, Tensioner, Water pump, Camshaft seal Replacing bushings on Control arm (saw it's in a rough shape) and trailing arm and anything I'm missing??? I'm just learning to do mechanic stuff under proper supervision Replacing valve cover gasket and grommets unless there's a reason not to do it?? Replacing spark plugs (I think they're original...) Replacing rear oil seal (I saw where the oil leak is coming from... Replacing tires with BFG AT KO or General Grabber AT2 (depending on my budget) or look for 16" rims so I can get free ZAMBONI TIRES at work (they're 215/85/16 A/T with snowflakes) Part of me wish I had bought the Isuzu Rodeo or the Trooper but I'm pretty happy with what my pathfinder got me to do and has been a true fellow. It's my hunting rig and daily driver. If it ever ended up dying, I will most likely go and buy a Ford F150/250, Nissan Frontier (can't wait for that update release today!), xterra, or FJ cruiser.

wouldn't that affect the airflow to the radiator?

It sounds like it's coming from the passenger side of the engine compartment.

I have a 97 Pathfinder LE with 4WD. Basically, it seems like this happens almost every time when I'm driving on the highway. I can hear this clicking sound when I'm approaching 80km/hr after pasting by the 75 km/hr mark at a gradual accerlation. Once I hit past it, it stops and resumes like normal. The only time it doesn't do that is when I'm pushing the engine hard and going past 80 km/hr in a short quick manner. I also did an experiment by intentionally holding it between 75-80km/hr to see if it would click the whole way. It did. Any idea what could it be? It's basically stock and I'm not doing any upgrades to it until I can get this fixed before the other necessary repairs/replacements (timing belt and valve cover gasket are the pressing things).

What about a wrecker?

How did it go?

Oh, several layers. I misunderstood. Theoretically, what you're saying makes sense. In the long term I'm not sure. Wouldn't the tubing eventually come out? I think I just asked a dumb question...?

I'm interested to see how this plays out because that could mean serious cost saving for my lift down the road. Will the tubing be thick enough to almost imitate the bottoms?

Fleury: I saw your website before and I'm budgeting for your skid plates but didn't know you had spacers! Shoesandsocks: I found that 4" lift on another site as well but I have has people who expressed concerns with lifting more than 3". Are those fears reasonable? I can't seem to find anything that specifically mention AC lifts for some reason. Google is complicated due to the fact that it thinks I'm asking about air conditioning...

I've been lurking for a few weeks trying to find information. Is there a Canadian retailer that will sell aftermarket parts for the R50s? I'm looking at pricing out a suspension lift or am I just better off ordering from the states and crossing the border to pick up the mail there instead?