95pathyguySD Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 1995 Pathy XE Charcoal 134,000 Hi guys, Long time reader here. So I was coming home on the freeway with the window down and the sun was shining. I came off the freeway, waited at a light and then went to Albertsons to go buy four 20 lbs of ice. I parked and went in to buy the ice. I came out and she wouldn’t start. Like an idiot I turned her over a couple of times and she sounded like she wasn’t getting gas or something. So I checked the tank by rocking the rear with the tank cap open there was gas, being I gassed up the day before. My gauge read half tank. Okay so I was like WTF. So I have four 20 lbs bags of ice melting in the Pathy. I call up the buddy whose party I was going to and told him come get his darn ice. lol. and a call to AAA. Well I tow her to my mechanic and of course I run into him but it’s a Sunday so he says he will get on it on Monday or Tuesday because he's packed. Tuesday he called me up and told me hey, she has no spark. So I'm going to replace the whole Distributor and Spark igniter. I think that’s what the second one was. So he did it and of course being the original freak I am I asked for Nissan parts only. So @500 bucks later he calls me up and he sounds like he just saw a ghost. He tells me hey buddy, I hate to tell you this cause your one of my best customers but your engine is dead. It was about then a brick came out of my backside. lol He told me I have spark now. But the engine won’t start it just turns over and over and over. So he told me he checked compression and in 1 and 2 there was 5 lbs he told me it should be more like 95lbs. He said my engine is a zero tolerance engine???? Like a Honda. I was like okay, let me call you back. So after much discussion with my fist in the wall. I called him back and I asked him what he thought. He said you have 134,000 on the body and engine. I would probably replace the engine, its going to be like 2,500 - 3000 to do so. Well to make a long story even longer I was like okay F it all I’m going to pay you and donate the car. So I called up good ole AAA and had her towed to the house. I called up my bro who’s a mechanic and ask him to take a look at it. The first question he asked me after my story is did it make a really bad noise. I said nope. He said okay let me look at it. 2 weeks later my bro and I wrench her up and took off the radiator, fan and belts and check the timing belt. Guess what??? She skipped a lot of teeth, she didn’t break a belt, the teeth and everything looked fine. The white timing marks for the cams were so off my bro was like WTF, I think she skipped. SO this is were I am. He works 6 days and only has Sunday with me so maybe next Sunday. I’m thinking to just replace the belt realign the cams and all by the book. If you guys have any insight or words of wisdom hit me up. Otherwise I would tell everyone right now to go change your timing belts and buy the whole kit with all the little parts. LOL Tune in Next time for the results. JV San Diego, SO CAL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Well, skipped teeth + low compression test probably means you bent a valve or 2. If I were you I would pull the heads and check the valves since you have the front tore down anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 SUCKS about the Dizzy swap... I broke a TB in my 87...what you can do is pray you got lucky and change the timing belt and water pump and cam seals and crank it up and see if it runs on all 6...whatever damage has been done is done...this is what i did with mine after the tbelt break...i bent exhaust valves on #1 and #3 and the intake on #3 (or was it #1) But now just remembering you said you had low compression tells me you bent some valves...so pull the head and swap all of the valves and put a new Tbelt on her and you should be good to go...I have like 3 sets of heads that are good if you want to just swap out the heads so we could work out something there and i'm only like 3 hours or so north of you... me and one of my ex gf's dad did my truck in 3 days (1 day was b/c NAPA has the wrong valve in the right box) so we had to wait an additional day for the correct valve. One note is when you pull the head just inspect the piston for cracks if it doesnt have any then you should be good. I had 2 nice "dimples" where the valves kissed the piston but no cracks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 never trust the white timing marks on the belt. Always use the TDC marks and count the teeth. I NEVER use the marks on the belt when I replace one. I would rather measure than trust some manufacturing nerd trying to translate between languages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 never trust the white timing marks on the belt. Always use the TDC marks and count the teeth. I NEVER use the marks on the belt when I replace one. I would rather measure than trust some manufacturing nerd trying to translate between languages. +1...if I were to ever sell my truck and they tried to line the belt and cam marks up it'd never happen b/c the white lines don't even go close to the cam/crank marks...I guess the only thing to verify is the arrow for fwds is facing fwd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I actually tried to use the white marks on a Dayco belt and the only way they would even come close is if I ignored the arrows and reversed them. It was totally f-d up so I just count teeth and move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I used a nissan belt and the white marks worked perfectly for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87pathy Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 did you downshift into the parking lot when you stopped it? Been my experience, this is when they break.. Not just nissans, all timing belts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred07 Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Well, skipped teeth + low compression test probably means you bent a valve or 2. If I were you I would pull the heads and check the valves since you have the front tore down anyway. lol i have a 89 and the timing belt was off and some valves were bent and the beast still ran, just low powerd which is why i took it in.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95pathyguySD Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 Damn you Pathy guys post fast. Okay give me some time to think about the posts and respond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edicer2 Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 that same @!*% happened to my 93 pathy and i ended up parting it out becasue the body was junk. it was only 200 bucks for a new motr with 120k on it but the body was so show on the frame it wasnt worth fixing other wise i would have. good luck just buy a new motor and it should be good to go it sohould cost to much to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 If you need some help with the work. I have all of the tools to do the job and could assist you with it one weekend if you want to learn and we could discuss some compensation but I believe the entire job could be done in 1 day (esp if you just swapped heads) definitely in 2 and have a gasket set and all the correct parts. if this peaks your interest PM me. wish you could take that dizzy back and get your $500 back b/c that would be a big help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbob Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Well, I have some hope now reading this thread. '95 LE, auto trans. Went to the dump, shut it off and it wouldn't restart. Cranked it, doh. Got it home and then cranked some more diagnosing...doh. Finally figured out it was the belt when saw the rotor not moving. 60K on the belt, was changed at 95K before. Likelihood of piston damage is low, right? However, likelihood of bent valves is high. So, I'm crossing my fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 (edited) If the belt broke before the interval, is there not some kind of guarantee? (If I'm reading this right) Edited May 19, 2009 by adamzan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95pathyguySD Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 She Lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My bro and I put everything back on. It was weird a lot of stuff was missing off my Pathy. First off there was no bolt securing the cap and rotor shaft. So I went to the junk yard and pulled one off a Maxima V6 engine that looked the same. I walked up to the pay counter and the lady laughed and said its okay take it. So I was happy, made my day. My bro helped me out and we pulled off the front end of the engine and replaced the belt. The marks aligned perfect without counting and all so I was amazed. I bought one of those Electronic Pathfinder Manual 1994-1995 CDs, it’s decent, but you got to study it a little. Well we cleaned everything and put it all back on this weekend. I was shocked when we turned the key and she ran. I was hiding behind the passenger door just as a precaution. She still has a slight tick on the passenger side but I think it’s the exhaust manifold problem. I’m not use to the engine anymore because I’ve been borrowing my moms extra car which is an older 89''300E class its hella quiet compared to our Pathys. But I’m happy that she’s back on the road and purring like a kat. I bought some Marvel Magic Mystery oil today and gave her some medicine. I filled her up with some nice gas and tomorrow I will give her a nice bath and some wax. My Pathy, not my GF. Okay boys I think I’m leaving some stuff out but the important part is she’s running Everything else is small now just some bolts here and there to replace and some new fluids and such and she’s gonna be fine. I think the CAR GODS are telling me to get on top of my cars service schedule. So after I do the sign of the Nissan and kiss the engine, I’m going to refer to my Nissan Electronic Service Manual and think/pray on it a little and plan out the next mods and such. I'm thinking Transmission cooler replacement. I saw a post about using a Ford Ranger transmission cooler somewhere here. Thanks to you guys and my big bro and the CAR GODS. JV San Diego, SO CAL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 congrats on the revival 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 so no bent valves or anything? You my friend just won the lottery... I would highly suggest running another compression test to make sure there are no dead cylinders if you didnt have to replace any valves 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinip Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 (edited) She Lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My bro and I put everything back on. It was weird a lot of stuff was missing off my Pathy. First off there was no bolt securing the cap and rotor shaft. So I went to the junk yard and pulled one off a Maxima V6 engine that looked the same. I walked up to the pay counter and the lady laughed and said its okay take it. So I was happy, made my day. My bro helped me out and we pulled off the front end of the engine and replaced the belt. The marks aligned perfect without counting and all so I was amazed. I bought one of those Electronic Pathfinder Manual 1994-1995 CDs, it’s decent, but you got to study it a little. Well we cleaned everything and put it all back on this weekend. I was shocked when we turned the key and she ran. I was hiding behind the passenger door just as a precaution. She still has a slight tick on the passenger side but I think it’s the exhaust manifold problem. I’m not use to the engine anymore because I’ve been borrowing my moms extra car which is an older 89''300E class its hella quiet compared to our Pathys. But I’m happy that she’s back on the road and purring like a kat. I bought some Marvel Magic Mystery oil today and gave her some medicine. I filled her up with some nice gas and tomorrow I will give her a nice bath and some wax. My Pathy, not my GF. Okay boys I think I’m leaving some stuff out but the important part is she’s running Everything else is small now just some bolts here and there to replace and some new fluids and such and she’s gonna be fine. I think the CAR GODS are telling me to get on top of my cars service schedule. So after I do the sign of the Nissan and kiss the engine, I’m going to refer to my Nissan Electronic Service Manual and think/pray on it a little and plan out the next mods and such. I'm thinking Transmission cooler replacement. I saw a post about using a Ford Ranger transmission cooler somewhere here. Thanks to you guys and my big bro and the CAR GODS. JV San Diego, SO CAL ''I was hiding behind the passenger door just as a precaution.'' * while parts are flying all over *...Pathys don't bite :-) that's good news anyways Edited May 19, 2009 by Pinip 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95pathyguySD Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 Hey Guys!!! Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Thanks to all the Pathy NPORA VETS and all the VETS/MIA/POWS for protecting our freedoms. On a smaller note: What do you think about this? If the water pump leaked on the timing belt and lubed it to make it skip teeth. My bro and I were wondering about it over the past week or so and it dawned on us that it could have been a leaking water pump which leaked only a little. Here's the thing, the belt skipped teeth about the time I was coming off the freeway and stopped at a light. So it was at operating temp. on the freeway. Now because it went to the mechanics and sat over the weekend untouched it could have dried up and disappeared. Not to mention the mechanic looked at it and moved/ changed things around. So when we got to it all evidence was gone. So I’m thinking go back in and change out the water pump and thermostat. all drive belts minus the TB cause we just changed that. Then check compression just for the hell of it change all spark plugs and maybe wired too. And chagne out the Tranny coolers with Ford Ranger ones. Should I do any thing else? She's at @135,000 miles. And the problems is I dont wanna take it on the freeway and try the conditions again to see if theres a leak. I mean who have you heard of who has won the lottery twice. Once for me is enough. Have any of you guys heard of this happening to a TB, skipping cause of coolant leak from the pump? JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95pathyguySD Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 So Bob. Whats up with your Pathy??? Your deal sounds like mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 If the water pump leaked on the timing belt and lubed it to make it skip teeth. antifreeze on TB= bad i guess the gly-whatever in anitifreeze is bad for rubber belts and weakens them so i'd def change that and yes I would think that could be a possibility if the belt was not tightened properly So I’m thinking go back in and change out the water pump and thermostat. all drive belts smiley_on_tredmil.gif minus the TB cause we just changed that. Then check compression just for the hell of it change all spark plugs and maybe wired too. And chagne out the Tranny coolers with Ford Ranger ones. Should I do any thing else? She's at @135,000 miles. And the problems is I dont wanna take it on the freeway and try the conditions again to see if theres a leak. I mean who have you heard of who has won the lottery twice. Once for me is enough. it sucks but if there is a chance the WP leaked on the new belt i'd change it... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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