problems

[Guest cctm]

I have some minor problems with my 92 pathfinder and any advice would be great. When I turn slowly or slam on the brakes there is a popping noise from the front. When I start up my truck it leaks about half a cup of coolant immdiately then stops. Sometimes when I am in 4th gear and chatter comes up that varies with the RPM's. And my tranny grinds into 2nd gear alot if im not careful. i dont know if any of this is routine or what but i would like to get this truck running better.

[Precise1]

Alrighty, about the front end noise, read this...

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=28

It could be bushings, wheel bearings, loose bolts, etc. Time to look...

 

The coolant thing makes little sense to me unless you have a crack/leak somewhere that closes up when the truck warms up ? Clean the area well, start it and watch, perhaps you can locate the source.

 

When was the last time the tranny oil was changed ? Read this...

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=2621

Also, bleed the clutch line and make sure the petal height/position is correct. (it's in the manual). I don't quite understand what you mean by the chatter part, please elaborate.

 

B

[Guest cctm]

well coolant leak is from the rear side of the engine, ive cleaned it, crawled under there only to have it drip in my mouth (great huh). ya no sign of it. i think i might have to pull off some crossmembers and what not. the chatter likes to come around 2000 rpm in 4th gear. if i put it in neutral the chatter will pulse with the throttle, then it stops. i think maybe something may have fallen loose. but i dunno. oh and a 92 has ABS in the rear right?

[k9sar]

coolant from the back of the engine might be a crack ro leak in your heater hose(s)

[Precise1]

Yes, or it may just be running back there... Start by checking the hoses to the heater core but be gentle !! Heater cores are flimsy at best.

 

The chatter is wierd... 4th gear is direct drive, ie 1:1. It pulses the throttle even with the clutch in or neutral ? Check the drivetrain bolts, u joints, etc Hard to guess at without being there.

 

'92 what ? XE, I doubt it. SE, maybe. LE, probably... They mixed and matched options a lot between the trim levels. You should have an ABS unit in the rear underneath.

 

B

[Guest cctm]

It is actually and XE and it has rear ABS which doesnt work because after last mountain expedition my rear brakes and parking brake don't work. And the ABS light wont go off. And the chatter comes in around 2k rpms and even when I go into neutral the chatter stays there.

[88pathoffroad]

I'd pull the rear wheels and get into those brakes if I were you. It's unsafe to drive a 4000 lb vehicle around with only front brakes. Not only for you, but for everyone in front of you.

 

That said, the ABS sensor wiring on the rear diff could have been pulled loose, check for that. The sensor is on the pinion housing on the front of the diff, on top.

 

On the tranny issues...change the gear oil. Especially if it hasn't been done for a while. Use ONLY GL-4 (NOT GL-5) gear oil, and don't let the auto store guys tell you it's the same thing. GL-5 will eat brass(synchroes, spacers, rings) and it will kill your transmission internally if left in there long enough.

 

The chatter sounds like throwout bearing or clutch noise, especially if it continues to make the noise with the clutch in or the trans in neutral.

[Guest cctm]

The clutch is what I think cuz when I am idling in neutral then put the clutch in, a different noise, more like a whirring, goes away. I am thinking about just giving a complete make over. Oh and I had a buddy put a new engine in about 9000 miles ago and I'm making the ticking noise at startup. Do you think he would be dumb enough to use the old manifold bolts?

[88pathoffroad]

Sure, why change anything that doesn't appear to be faulty?