92SEPathFindr

Hey friends, I made a YouTube video featuring the current VG30E Engine noises on my 1992 Pathfinder SE 4WD. These noises may indicate something in particular to the trained ear and I'm trying to determine what 1) may be the cause(s), 2) how serious is this, and 3) what type of mechanic shop job would fix this? The Nissan dealer estimated close to 5K to have this engine rebuilt or replaced with a "low miles (180K)" used engine. Maybe I can wait years for this job and save up money until then or maybe in the meantime have a rebuilt engine ordered (estimated 3-4.5K). Thanks for your advice. I continue to look for a quality mechanic with fair pricing in Riverside County CA and or a quality machine shop/ engine builder in San Diego, San Bernardino, or Riverside Counties, CA. If and when I do this work, I want it to be the last time. Thanks and best regards, Aaron

What's good ya'll? Aside from the Axle and Suspension repairs my Pathfinder needs and a from a different post: The 1992 Pathfinder SE 4WD 5 Speed Manual probably (sooner or later) need engine work, valve/lifter/rings, ...not sure?? There is a noisy tick and a irregular "pop" exhaust "backfire". I suppose I can post a video to youtube and a link if you think this may help considerably? An experienced mechanic at the local wrecking yard recently listened to the noise(s) with a stethoscope tool and concluded "it was in the top end" of the engine. So, maybe this could be fixed with a valve job? Maybe a replacement "Head" unit? I just don't know... rather than a REBUILD or REPLACE? I asked them about the "low milage" Japanese import replacement engines and they think those are actual crap unless you're really, really lucky... This engine will probably need a rebuilder/machine shop and I know of three or four in my area (Riverside County, CA) that seem highly qualified with great reviews and I plan to take the Nissan to in the real near future. Any recommended shop(s) or machine shops you know? San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino County, CA? At first thought, it makes more sense to me to have my engine rebuilt, valves, head, lifters, crankshaft??? Or purchase a reman/rebuilt engine with a warranty $2-4K. I asked fraserengineco dot com and they don't do the VG30E nor have the "tools" for it. There's another company possible powertrainproducts dot net that may be a source. And another, ATK Engines Remanufactured Crate Engine for 1987-1992 Nissan & Infinity with 3.0L V6 VG30E. Anyone know a good company to buy a rebuilt/reman engine who ship to a nearby shop for install/core, etc? Anyone have other recommended options, possibilities, etc, advice. Side note: I don't think going to a different size (VG33) will work with the goddamn California smog rules. Thanks for you input and take care out there. Aaron https://imgur.com/gallery/QcdhZQz engine photos post here on imgur

Hey thanks so much Slartiblartfast, I will read your advice over and over while prepping to do these repairs, buying some tools, etc. and likely have more questions before I get started and when doing the work. Thank you again!! Yeah, the first mechanic (who was recommended to me twice by different shops) just didn't want to work on my Nissan and also said he was backed up with work anyways. Once I told the shop with the computer issues, that it was strictly mechanical (axles & suspension) they looked very, very uninterested still, in general, but said that they weren't making new appointments until next month regardless. Like you wrote about Les Schwab that's the WHOLE other part of my worries about counting on a shop to do the work and correctly. I will keep looking for a great shop(s) yet I still think I can and should do most of these jobs myself. Anyways, thanks a lot and I'll be updating soon. Best regards, Aaron

Fortunately, I have a 1992 Nissan Truck/Pathfinder factory manual bought from ebay so I'm good in that area I feel yet most of these mechanic jobs are new to me so there's uncertainty for sure and a learning curve. I was surprised by the two shops (one specializes in Nissan & Toyota) who wouldn't even look at my Pathfinder to make an estimate. That specialty shop said this was due to the computer type being too old and they only work on the newer computer version(s). And the hefty cost of labor +/- $140/hour... Anyways, I'm resolving that I need to be able to do everything I can whenever I can and this is the way it'll be. https://imgur.com/gallery/s4EMD00

Thanks for input everyone. I’ve recently been to one wrecking yard, and four mechanic shops for advice, and or estimates. Two of the mechanics will not work on such an old (1992) vehicle. The other two shops made similar quotes for the front Axles only. They (give or take) want $750 each side for Axles and their labor. They would be ordering the axles (rather than me) and as such can Warranty, etc the work/ parts. when I mentioned the front suspension bushings/ rubber to one shop he said they don’t do like a whole front end “Kit” but do the replacement per part as/if needed. We didn’t get into any estimates for the suspension. The Axles are my first priority really. I’m leaning towards doing the replacement axles, rebooting the oems with Rockford CV boots/parts and keeping them. And also doing the suspension/rubber (whole front end both sides) kit type package myself. I’ll need to take my pathfinder to another location than my driveway if the process takes more than a couple days total. Advice regarding any special tools needed (pullers, etc) or the difficult points of these jobs 1) Axles and 2) front suspension is appreciated? Do I need multiple people, jacks, etc. if I need to buy special tools etc, okay I’ll still save a bunch of money doing it myself.

Right on adamzan, thanks for the tip and link. I doubt I would have found it ( rockfordcv dot com) otherwise... Best regards and safe travels. Aaron

Ah okay great to know, yeah I'd prefer no or few squeaks, there's enough already!! Thanks gamellott, cheers!

Any thoughts, do you know if bushing "kits" include bushings for rear end parts too, which parts, any particular brand(s) to recommend for these kits? I have seen some while searching online. Just from a quick look at Energy Suspension Parts dot com for example it doesn't look the "complete" kit contains all the parts I need to replace. Maybe a good start though? Thanks for the help! Aaron

Hi hawairish, yeah similar challenges with the older Subaru boots and rebooting are had. After getting the aftermarket type (shop recommended/warrantied) replacement axles, I'll keep these oem axles and at a later time probably rehab them myself is what I think. I may loose a core charge, not sure, but whatever. Thanks for you input and best regards, Aaron

Hi adamzan, nice to hear from you, thanks! I do offroad yet in a mild low-impact sort of way so I don't plan for lifting or extended travel axles for this Pathy. Interesting though! My thoughts right now are to seek a local shop to do these repairs and what I need is a fair rate/cost and the work done correctly. I plan to keep the oem axles and have them cleaned and rebooted or do it myself and then just keep them for later. I want to get the same shop to do the bushings as a "kit", strut rod bushings and then alignment (as Slartibartfast wrote). Cheers and thanks always, Aaron

Hey gamellott, yeah that sure maybe part of it, lol. I had been to that shop the Friday or Saturday before this and taken a ride with a mechanic test driving. Then coming in that Monday, I think the estimator just figured I was decided to have them do the work no matter the cost pretty much. Anyway, I haven't been back there and don't plan on it. Thanks for your input and happy trails! Aaron

Hey hello thanks for the greeting and your help! These last few years have been a mess and a blur really and I thank you for the input. My old subaru CV axles were a similar hit or miss with the aftermarket versions which is probably what I'll look into or the shop will order them so they may warranty them too. Interesting about the 12-point impact wrench ...I didn't know that. All the rubbers in the front end do look about the same age and not hard to change like your wrote, especially for a seasoned mechanic. One of the last jobs I had a local shop do was the clutch replacement. First shop where I wanted the work done the estimator said it was a 40hr job and would run $2400 plux tax IIRC. Crazy..., 40 hours for a skilled shop with like 12 bays and lifts and all that. Heck, I thought back to about 1996 doing my Subaru clutch the first time in my apartment driveway on ramps. That took me 8hrs the first time, a big learning curve, but I damaged the rear main seal putting it in. So I had to redo the job... 4 hours that time and a good seal lasted until I sold the wagon a few years ago. 40 hours for a full service shop, really?? I then took the Nissan to another nearby shop and they did it for $1400. Anyway, I'll look in the strut rod bushings at the same time. I thought the previous owner had redone the front and rear suspension yet I'm not certain. I may add more photos soon, when I find out more, or with more questions. Thanks again for your help and best regards, Aaron

Hello friends, it's been too long and times have and are crazy, right? I'm hoping ya'll are good. My 92SE 5 speed is okay, yet looking under the front, both front axle inner (towards engine) boots are split and the grease has spread on frame etc. Your thoughts on this job? 1) Replace complete axles, what brands, where to order? 2) Repack-grease replace boots only? 3) How hard for me (basic tools) to do in the driveway, how long each side or both? 4) How hard/long for an auto shop to do? Also, all the rubber bushings in that area look weak at least, cracked, smashed etc. They may be 30yrs old. 5) What would that job (all the bushings at one time) be called, are there kits available that, Rubber OEM or polyurethane, thoughts? Any reputable shop recommendations for Socal, Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Inland Empire, CA, San Diego or Riverside County, CA? I need a shop that knows Nissans/Hondas and is fair with the work and costs. Your recommendations, advice are welcomed. Thanks so much! Aaron

What's good NPORA friends? Aside from A LOT else that happened last year, I was in a fender bender (not my fault) which resulted in my Pathfinder being deemed a "Salvage" vehicle status. All headaches aside, the DMV requires a Brake & Lamp CERTIFIED ($$$) INSPECTION ($$$). According to the certified shop this means NO cracks (even hairline and airtight) in the light lenses and all lights functional as should be. ANY CRACK in a lense will fail the inspection. All my lights function and the bulbs are the correct original colors yet I have purchased all new lenses now because they all had fine cracking after almost 30 years on the roads. So that takes care of the Lamp Part, then ....there is the Brake inspection. No, it's not just do the brakes work, function, and stop the vehicle but the tolerances MUST be within specifications of the pads and rotors. My model pathfinder has front and rear disk and rotor brakes. I figure Okay, let's get ALL the brakes in order to make the best of the needed work. I'll get new rotors and pads front and back since I haven't done any brake work/maintenance since I bought the Nissan & they are in need of the work ...and I can hear GRINDING now. My local shop said the FRONT ROTORS on my Nissan ARE VERY DIFFICULT and require about $350 in labor!? Apparently this has to do with the 4X4 front end? What's the deal, how hard is the Front ROTOR and pad replacing? How hard are the rear Rotors and pads replacing? How difficult is proper bleeding of all four corners? I'm one guy in my small driveway and the HOA (home owners association) doesn't allow much time for vehicle work in the driveway... Should I do the rears myself because they are actually rather SIMPLE and ask the shop to do the fronts. The shop is saying the front brakes (pads and rotors and labor) is $400 and the rear is $250 more (parts and labor total job $650). Or should I do the job myself? What are your seasoned opinions, advice? Thanks again for any help. Aaron https://imgur.com/gallery/xofME4v<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/xofME4v" ><a href="//imgur.com/a/xofME4v">Pre Brake &amp; Lamp Inspection WD21 Nissan</a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Update, the work is done )a couple months ago now) . Found a reliable and reasonable local shop who did the whole job (timing belt and seals, new radiator & hoses, thermostat, water pump, belts, bypass hose, filled coolant, and replaced the brake master cylinder with a new one) for $560 in labor. I supplied the parts and found two shops that won't use parts they don't provide. So, they had the pathfinder a few days total and did a great job all told. Thanks to all the friendly help adamzan, Sassafrasparilla, Slartibartfast ! https://imgur.com/gallery/XjrW3Y3<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/XjrW3Y3" ><a href="//imgur.com/a/XjrW3Y3">1992 Nissan Pathfinder SE Repairs</a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thanks very much! That would be great. If you have one or not let me know. I appreciate the help. Cheers, Aaron

Hey friends what's good? Looking for an Interior Cruise Control Switch for my pathfinder. The original switch I have has recently fallen apart ad into pieces (very strange). I must have bumped it with something no realizing. Anyway until then my cruise control worked and now long drives are more of a chore. Aside from a replacement switch, if you know of where to buy a similar switch or a modification that will work to replace the switch. Or, if you have a replacement switch from a wrecked vehicle, etc. please let me know. I have paypal and appreciate any help fixing this issue. Thanks very much, Aaron

Welcome and safe travels! ?

Hey thanks very much for your help with this. I'm not able to work on the vehicle on the property (small property neighborhood rules, etc) and I'll probably hand it off to local shop. The last estimate I got for the necessary jobs with me supplying the part was about $850. I'm okay with that yet I wish i had total confidence in a shop and was okay with the quoted price. In your experience, does the timing belt fit on intuitively or are there difficult aspects to it like some have. I remember mid 80s Subarus were a little tricky. Hey thanks again and good luck with your work and in that rain. Take care, Aaron

Okay right, I have ordered and received a timing belt kit, water pump, thermostat, and new belts to do the whole deal at once. I'm hoping to replace this hose myself and buy a little time before I ask a shop to do the other work (timig belt, etc). Do you think i can slip in a new hose to replace this failing one? Thanks again, Aaron

Photos... https://imgur.com/a/hOtEs6c

Attempting to add photos here friends. It's the small hose with the flashlight focused on it. <blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/hOtEs6c" ><a href="//imgur.com/a/hOtEs6c">1992 Nissan Pathfinder SE water hose ID please?</a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Please help ID this coolant hose? Part number would be great ...Rock Auto if possible. Today it has a pin hole leak and it has been bulging for a while. Maybe it IS NOT a “formed” hose and I can use a generic inside diameter hose to replace this one. If so, what is the size hose to buy? It appears to be about five inches long. It looks like I will be able to cut out the old one and then slip the new one on without removing other parts. Anyone have experience buying, removing, and replacing this little hose? Thanks very much! Aaron https://imgur.com/gallery/hOtEs6c