dkpath96

Are you talking about drive belts? Is it the labor, 'cause the belts themselves are relatively cheap.

-thnkboutit- Yeah I noticed that after I posted it...

I am in the process of preparing for the 100k maintenance overhaul... Make sure your exhaust manifold studs aren't broken, I have a '96 that just turned past 100k and learned that mine needs replaced. I thought that didn't happen to the R50's but mine must have had some leftover '95 parts put in it... There's a 100k warranty extension on the manifold and stud replacement thru Nissan. Don't forget fuel filter and spark plugs - Bosch Platinum 4's are great.

Ok, that's a shame that no one has come up with a header design. Oh well. Another question then - are the manifolds for sale online at most auto parts places the new manifold that will not break its studs? I can'ts seem to find any site that has the part number listed in the Common Problems thread here at NPORA. I got a great price at rockauto.com - Dorman right-hand manifold for $43.79 - if that's the right manifold and it comes with gaskets, etc...

hey Conner, check this link out: Stillen Headers - 4x4parts Bulletin Board I am researching header installation for my '96 pathy, VG33E and came across this site. Thought you might be interested.

88pathoffroad, My passenger side manifold is shot and I am at 103k miles, so no help from Nissan (cheap :furious: ). Anyways, I am now researching exhaust headers instead of a new manifold. There's lots of good info here at NPORA but I am curious - I have a 1996, VG33E V6. The Thorley site has headers for pathys up to 1995... will they work with the VG33E?

Yes, those awful heat shields - they rusted out then vibrated like mad at certain RPMs on my '96. I just clamped them down tight, others have removed theirs completely. Now if that's not it, look around the NPORA site a bit for discussions on the whole exhaust manifold stud breakage issue. It makes a rapid ticking noise, and can be accompanied by a "puffing" in the lower engine compartment. If it could be the manifold, and you're close to 100k miles, stop driving and take it to a Nissan dealer, they have a warranty extension that will cover manifold repair/replacement up to (and not one :furious: mile past) 100k. Mine hit 102k with this issue and they wouldn't even look at it.

LINDERS, Could your shimmy be described as a sort of low-sounding vibration that you can feel through the steering wheel? And it sounds almost like really loud road noise? I am starting to notice this with my pathy, and it happens when I get it up to speed (50-70 mph). It also tends to happen more often going down hill, although this might be a coincidence. The funny thing is, it goes away for a while. I have a 45 min. commute and only tend to hear it once or twice all day. I am going to have the front wheel bearings looked at...

My '96 XE does - it's an orange gas pump on the left side of the dash over the gas gauge; it doesn't light up when you start the vehicle, like every other light.

I have a similar clunk in my '96. It is noticeable only at low speeds, during acceleration or braking. Thanks for the info, guys, I will also be looking at those bushings soon.

I tried stepping on the bumper and jumping it up and down but never heard the clunk sound. it almost sounds like someone is punching the floor when it happens.

I was just re-reading my old posts, and just wanted to correct myself - the noise I have is more like a ticking (paper in a slow fan??) noise, not a rattle or buzz. Well, yesterday I drove around for 200+ miles and heard the ticking all day. It is originating from the engine area, passenger side. It was pretty loud. Today it was barely audible, even with a cold or warm engine. I've discussed this in another post but this one seems more active. When I popped the hood to listen for the noise, I couldn't hear it, but I did notice a rapid puffing noise (like a hole in the exaust) coming from the passenger side exhaust manifold. It of course increases in rate and pitch with higher RPM. This leads me to believe it's the manifold stud issue. But this week I will try a higher octane gas just out of curiosity. That puffing noise isn't normal, is it...?

Another question: I tried to find the tapping noise again last night under the hood, but I can't hear it without driving it. But I did notice a puffing noise originating from the exhaust manifold area (passenger side, below valve cover). Is this more evidence of a manifold leak? *And along other lines, what is the safest, easiest way to clean up my engine? It iis looking quite dirty. Can I just spray it down with a hose?

Mark: How loud was your rattle? Did it get faster and higher with higher RPM? The reason I ask is that I now am hearing another rattle, fainter and getting more consistent in the cold weather, that sounds again like paper in a fan, but much fainter than the heat shield noise I had before. And this time it only can be heard when I accelerate. Did anyone mention header or manifold issues in your quest to fix your noise? thanks!

USMCDEVILDOG and ChromoTech: I have a faint tapping noise, sounds like a piece of paper in a fan, that is only audible when I am accelerating. I can't hear it in idle or neutral. It gets louder at around mid-RPM, then fades but can still be heard. And it 'keeps time' with the RPMs - it gets faster with higher RPMs. From the driver's seat it sounds like it is originating from the engine area, and I've already removed the exhaust guards that used to rattle. Is this the manifold or header problem you mentioned? How could I tell for sure - can my local garage identify it? thanks!

Another question - if this is the throwout bearing going bad, why is the sound not consistent - why does it go away? And why on some mornings, do I never hear it at all? It seems that if I rev the engine a bit and warm it up, it doesn't make the noise, whereas if I start cold, it will groan. But only once, from 1st to 2nd gear. Also, does this symptom have anything to do with the post dealing with gear oil level? Perhaps these are unanswerable questions, and the quirks of my pathy will remain mysteries... But at least I know I'm not alone!

About the clunk noise: I have had a clunking noise in my '96 since I bought it used a couple years ago. It happens at low speeds mostly, when I apply fairly strong acceleration and/or deceleration. The noise is a low clunk that I can't pinpoint but it is under the vehicle, behind the driver seat, I think. I can feel it through the floor. If I accelerate hard, it clunks. Then it will only clunk again if I brake hard. I did notice a cross-member that has broken loose back by where the speed sensor is on the tranny - could this be the culprit? I think the cross-member supports the exhaust system but I'll have to look again. Only thing is, that's on the passenger side... Any ideas/similar problems out there?

Ok, I have been looking into a clutch kit for my '96 in case my "barking" clutch decides to go bad. I noticed that they sell the throwout (release) bearing separately, so if that is my problem, can I just buy the bearing and have it replaced? Or is it just easier while it's torn down just to replace everything...?

Hey, I never thought about removable seats... good idea! and yes, we are "vertically challenged"...

My pathy's original CD player does that clicking/searching/spitting out thing every so often too. It sucks but I've not had the time to look into it. It almost acts as if the CD is not getting seated right in the player or something; or the loading mechanism is malfunctioning. Who knows...

With the seats down, there's just enough room for two back there... sssh Haven't used it in place of the tent yet, though, not enough room with all the gear. Gotta get a nice cargo carrier for the roof...

Crap, my clutch just started making that noise recently, as the mornings are getting cooler... I was about to start a thread on it... Thanks for the info on prices, problems, etc. guys.

Congrats on finding your noise! Bet you're enjoying a more peaceful and worry-free ride. :cool2:

Thanks for the advice on the roof racks, guys. I didn't know that those were rails on my roof (duh!) so now I am looking into a Thule setup. Those big roof racks on the XTerras - are they for show or are they just really big for hauling anything up on the roof? I've never really looked one over up close, I just was wishing I had one like that...

I also mainly do light off-roading, and have to take on some nasty winter roads. I have BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KOs on my stock '96 pathy, and I love them. They have a pretty quiet ride and great handling, esp. on muddy or snow-covered roads. I got all 4 tires w/ balancing, etc. and road handler warranty for about 600 bucks at Sears.