I'm trying to confirm the timing belt interval for my 1994 Pathfinder XE (4WD, Auto trans). The manual that came with car says 105,000 mile interval, dealer recommends 60,000 miles. I thought I saw a thread on nissan timing belts from this era a while back, but can't find it, so apologies if this is redundant.
My original belt was replaced at 66,000 miles, March 2001 (the dealer put a sticker near the battery with this info - nice!). Currently I have
121,000 miles on the car, therefore 55,000 on current timing belt.If I follow the dealers advice, it will need replacement in spring of
2005. I was all set to play it safe and replace at 126,000 miles when I thought I was going to get many more years from this car. However, it's very likely I'll only get 2 more years due to frame rot (discussed in topic called "Rust on frame around wheel wells - 94 Pathfinder").So - given the car's prognosis and possible 2 year life expectancy, I'm adding up cost of ownership to hang onto it. Already got new breaks, new battery, etc before rot was discovered, car runs/rides beatifully.
1994 seems to be an ambiguous/transitional year. I've done lots of research and have found conflicting info. For example - one article said 1993.5 and prior, 60,000 miles. 1995 and above was 105,000. 1994 seems to be lost in transition!!!!Would this interval be determined more by the belt itself, or engine design? I don't think the engine itself was redesigned between 93-94. Would the belt the nissan dealer installed in 2001 be a "105000 mile" belt? (kinda like when they replaced my lousy manifold studs with different part # that should last longer)
In 2 years, I'd likely have 75k-80k miles on the existing timing belt if I don't change it. It the belt likely to handle it?
Thanks - John