Maintenance without History?

[Guest Ladena]

Hi...#1 just want to say GREAT SITE! Almost as happy to find this website as I was to find my newly purchased 1995 Pathfinder. -bounce- I bought a Nissan Stanza 15 years ago and just put the old girl to rest....with 334K reliable miles on her! Her replacement is another Nissan of course, but after having moved from AZ to UT I wanted 4-wheel due to the snow.

 

The tapping noise I figured out by reading through the forum. And found a way to sleep in the back! I will probably try the header fix for the tapping...to save money.

 

I bought the Pathfinder at an auction and other than a receipt found under the seat for a recent alternator replacement I have NO IDEA how or if the vehicle has been maintained. It has 120K on the odometer. Runs great, handles well, everything works....well, there is the tapping thing, but other than that no apparent problems.

 

By now the timing belt should have been replaced, maybe the transmission (automatic) should have been serviced, ummm.....shocks? Likely there is other routine maintenance I'm not aware of??

 

Is there any way I can tell what has been done to the vehicle?? I don't want to take it in for a timing belt change (expense again) if it was done when it should have been. But, what if it hasn't been done? I am pretty nervous about it going out and damaging the motor. I also have no clue what to look or listen for when a timing belt may go out.

 

A weird problem that may have something to do with the factory amplifier?? It has an aftermarket CD player and the thing IS LOUD. You can't turn it DOWN. With the volume knob on 1 it is louder than most would be half way up. Not a major problem but a curious one.

 

Any input on the subject of not knowing maintenance history on a vehicle will be greatly appreciated. From personal experience I have a great deal of faith in the reliability of Nissans but also know they are only as reliable as the maintenance.

 

What would you do?

 

Thanks,

Ladena

[vengeful]

There are generally NO Warnings of an impending timing belt failure. They usually just go, and then you hear grinding, banging, booming noises from under the hood and your engine dies. If you are worried it wasn't changed, it's better to have it changed, than not.

[mws]

Welcome!

 

My rule of thumb: If I don't know, I assume the worst.

 

That is based on how 90% of car owners treat their rigs.... I would be more surprised if the belt HAD been done on schedule than if it hadn't...

 

Since you are clearly a Nissan appreciator, take care of it so she can take care of you. She really wants to, you just have to let her!

 

In the next couple months: Do the timing belt, tensioner, thermostat, and water pump. Do them all at the same time to avoid having to open her up twice.

 

Flush/change the AT fluid, and add the biggest cooler you can find and fit.

 

Check/replace belts and hoses as well. Check the CV boots. Replace if torn. The shocks only need to be replaced if they are leaking or no longer passing bounce test.

 

Change the transfer case and differential oils in the the next few months as well.

 

Then love the truck! Both of mine have over 200K miles and are going strong.

[88pathoffroad]

Ditto, ditto, ditto and ditto. Martin is wise, Martin is smart, Martin is right.

[GrimGreg]

BTW, where are you located? :idea: If you are close to one of us maybe we can give your Pathy a look see for ya.

[Precise1]

I'll chime in with mws. If it is unknown, believe it to have been neglected, especially in the case of the timing belt as the repercussions can be costly !! No, they don't always make a horrendous racket, but they generally give without warning.

 

The tapping noise I figured out by reading through the forum. And found a way to sleep in the back!

 

Thanks for reading and learning...

 

Take care of the imperatives first, then the fluids (tranny cooler) , then whatever seems awry. With a little love, the Pathy will be as reliable as the Stanza.

 

B