AirChime

BTW, any qualms about using a NAPA catalytic converter versus a NIssan one?

Rebelord, I am OK, one the best'est of best days. I dont have much in tools anymore, most were swiped. As for the battery, its old, so I would've replaced it anyways. I aint giving somebody $35 to clean a battery! I agree on the alignment. My mechanic offered it to me for free if I paid him to do the other suspension services. But I see what you are getting at. As for the CV joints, nuh-uh. I am starting to think this vehicle is more of a problem than I am willing to deal with.

gv280z, I dont actually work for a railroad..... yyyyet. I just sell railroads equipment they need and dispose of equipment they dont need. Most locomotives use a diesel engine that works a main generator. The main generator is what provides power to the traction motors. There is one motor per axle, with a few exceptions (which I wont get into unless you need a bed time story!). The bateries on most locomotives are there to startup the locomotive. There is a battery powered locomotive called a "Green Goat". They were tested out here in Texas about 5 years ago, in both the DFW and Houston areas. Unfortunately they get hot, and in the Texas heat, a few managed to burst into flames. Anyways.... As for going down to Houston, I dunno. Thats a helluva drive, in my present condition, to look at a vehicle I might not buy. But I'll look around.

I apologize for not introducing myself. My name is Brian, and I work for a company called Coastline Rail. I buy and sell railroad equipment on behalf of others. Need a locomotive, I can get you one. Want a caboose, I have those too. Anyways, sometimes my job takes me down Maintenance of Way roads. These are usually noting more than paths that run parallel to railroad tracks. They are rough riding, and sometimes my 2WD truck had "issues", though it never let me down. Other times I will have to go into railyards. Most railyards have decent paths, but some are brutal, and have crossings that are tough. I also need it to haul my equipment around. Oh, and I shoot, a lot, and need to haul a bunch of guns and ammo. While I was laying in bed with cracked ribs, sternum and clavicle (and a purdy smile) I decided I wanted something 4WD, and either another truck or an SUV. I have no real brand loyalty, but I do have brands I wont consider (GM, Dodge, etc). I saw the Pathfinder mentioned above. Now the owner knows the deficiencies, and she even said she wont get what she wants for it. She mentioned she was offered $3,000, but she turned it down (they want $5,300). I am thinking that I may offer $3000 as well to see if they take, now that they know there are some serious mechanical deficiencies. What do y'all think?

Hey folks, thanks for taking the time. I split the cost of a diagnostic with the owner at Courtesy Nissan. Here's what was uncovered: Bank 2 Catalytic Converter is out of commission. They want $1300+ to replace, parts and labor. This is the cause for the CEL. Also, while up on the rack, they found that all four rear lateral links are broken, and need to be replaced. This is estimated to cost &850+ They said it needs an alignment for $200. They also said it needs a new right inner CV joint, because said CV joint's boot is torn. Also recommended work was a battery cleanup ($35), and a front and rear differential service ($400 total). All total, to replace everything with Nissan factory parts, its $3183.14 A mechanic I have used in the past offered an estimate, and here it is: To replace the catalytic converter it would be $1010 All rear lateral links would be $695 Replace right inner CV joint with new right axle $250 Free alignment Front and rear differential would be $200 Total would be $2160 using all new Nissan parts, though he did say he would give me a bundle price that would knock another one or two hundred off. Just out of curiosity, I spoke with Firestone. They offered to do a catalytic converter for $798.25. However at that price the catalytic converter would be a NAPA part. Please,I'd like to hear your thought (alkorahil, I sent you an email last week)

I am in East Dallas, next to White Rock Lake. The above Pathfinder is in Garland, around Kingsley and Saturn.

Hey all. Friday, my beloved Ford F-150 was totaled in an accident. My bruises are friggin sweet! Anyways, my job is as a railcar broker. I buy and sell railroad equipment on behalf of other companies. I need a dependable vehicle that has 4WD, and can haul my gear (safey equipment, traumatic first aid, guns and ammo, etc. I have never owned an SUV, nor have I ever owned a Nissan. However after looking for a used SUV, either Nissan or Toyota, I found a vehicle that I like. Its a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder SE (according to VIN), in three different databases, its not listed as ever being stolen or totaled. Here is the following info from the CL ad: Odometer: 112,000 VIN: JN8DR09Y14W917374 Color: Green Drive: 4WD Transmission: Automatic Title: Clean Cylinders: 6 Yesterday I went to look at the vehicle. It was warm because someone else had looked at it a couple hours before I did, and they started it and ran it a while. It started strong, and stayed strong. The only thing mechanically that I could see it needing was a new belt. However the check engine light came on. That's obviously a concern. The person selling the vehicle for her brother agreed to follow me to Autozone to have the codes run. Only one code popped up, but I misplaced the ticket. I rememeber I was given 4 options, and from most likely to least likely it was; Vacuum Leak, Fuel Leak, Emmisions Leak, or Catalytic Converter. The last one has put some fear into me. However there is a Nissan dealership close by, and I called to find out how much a diagnostic is, and if its a CC failure, what that runs. I should hear back later this morning. Anyways, the owner says she'll take $5K. I think that might be a bit steep considering the possible issues, and I have remained completely non-committal. The exterior is another issue, the paint is garbage. This is what happens when people leave their vehicles in the Texas sun and dont wash or protect them in anyway. Not that its that big a deal, I am going to paint it with Aervoe anyways. I may even T-Pok Nor (or however you spell it) the entire exterior first. What should I do? Run away? Have it checked out by a dealer? Here's some pics