QuietMan

Wow! Did anyone ever accuse you of being terribly helpful? This is incredibly useful info to me. I thank you. Hard to imagine a time when the Internet didn't exist and you couldn't tap helpful info like his so easily, but there was. Thanks again. QM

Thanks for your quick response. You confirm much of what I read, of course. Sh_t! So what's a used JDM engine? And where can I learn more about it? QM

My '97 Pathfinder's timing belt snapped recently. I know, I know. I've done some reading since then, and I am preparing for the worse. But before I make some major decisions, I thought that it would help to definitively know if the valves/pistons are affected. So I asked two mechanics if they could: 1) open the engine; 2) replace the snapped timing belt with a new one, and; 3) run a compression test. One mechanic said that he could that, but the other one said that it would be cheaper to replace water pump, tensioner, seals, etc. while the engine was open... perchance the compression test rolled a snakes eye and I lucked out. He (the second mechanic) said that you would have to open the engine up again to replace those parts if the compression test produced favorable results, which means more labor, which means more dolleros. Which mechanic would you be inclined to put your trust in? Thanks, in advance, for helping me to clear up my state of confusion. QM

Very nice to hear that, 90seven. Do all your own wrenching, or have you found a local mechanic who knows Pathfinders? QM

Thanks, Terranon. If NZ stands for New Zealand, you have a beautiful country. I spent a little time in Christ Church a few years ago. Loved the place and loved its people. QM

Thanks for the warm welcome. I picked her up today and discovered why she was so eager to let her go. It wasn't the loud timing belt that was bugging her to be replaced. It was the oil leak under the engine. Yikes! I'm suspecting that the seals need to be replaced too. Thanks again. QM

Greetings, all. I will be reassuming custody, shortly, of a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder that is dieing and in need of a resurrection. I gave it to my ex 6 years ago for her to use, and she didn't give it the TLC that it deserved. Now it needs her timing belt replaced and some serious front end work. With only 120K miles on her, the ex was going to send her to the grave... until I decided to come to her (the Pathfinder, of course) rescue and give her the TLC that she deserves. Everyone deserves some TLC in their lives before they call it quits. I've learned the benefits of learning from other owners of the wheels I've owned a long time ago. So I susbcribed to this board so that I can give my new/old lady the love that she deserves. Thanks for giving me that privilege. QM P.S. Any owners in Vegas?