1995 Nissan Pathfinder Trouble

I would think 20w50 would make it worse if the problem is lack of circulation at startup. Use 5w-30 per the manufacturer's recommendation and make sure the oil filters you are using have anti-drainback valves. How often do you change the oil?

Try a different brand of gas, or fill it up at the 89 pump and see if the pinging stops.

I change the oil every 3000 miles, and I use a Fram 3682 filter. I will try

Jim Rojas

I just did a little research on the Fram 3682...it seems to be a poor choice for an oil filter.

Any recommendations?

Jim Rojas

Wouldn't that be "piston slap" ? There is a piston slap problem on some 95-96 VG30 engines. I don't rememer the details but a google search will gibe you more details on this.

Carl

My local Nissan dealer is a rip off. $15-20 per OEM filter. I have seen Nippon filters advertised for $5-6. Is this one ok?

Jim Rojas

recommendation

Could be. My '96 Honda developed that problem at about 50,000 miles. The oil filter is a cheaper test to do first though.

On the Honda the fix was to either ignore it or replace the engine. We chose to ignore it. Strangely enough, after another 60,000 miles, it went away by itself.

Try mailorder at Brown and Brown Nissan in Tempe AZ Parts line is 800.237.0003 or Courtesy Nissan in Richardson, TX. Parts line is 800.527.1909

Ask for internet discount, your Nissan filter should be around $4-$5 ea. I've bought from both, great price and service. Jim

Thank you.

Jim Rojas

Not a problem to be concerned at 118K miles. Doesn't mean a lack of oil circulation either. Just a lifter that loses its prime. Once again that's normal wear. Be concerned if it stays noisy.

Use a higher octane fuel. The knock is probably of minimal importance to an engine with 118K miles on it.

Sounds more like a lifter that lost its prime.

I have a 1989 Nissan 4x4 pickup with 170K miles....I use the same fuel and filter. No trouble with that vehicle at all.

Jim Rojas

I own a 94 Pathfinder with 185,045 miles and had the same tapping sound at start-up as you describe and had a slight knock at acceleration also. First off, Pathfinders have a known issue with the exhaust manifold bolts breaking off in the head, which was the case with mine also, the tapping noise would go away after about 5 to 10 seconds at which time the heads would be warm enough to expand and hold the bolts tight. As was the case with my pathfinder, I had to replace the exhaust manifolds because they had warped but if caught early enough, you should be able to avoid replacing the manifolds, and I replaced the exhaust studs with stronger hardened ones. Now as for the knocking at accel problem, I tried different heat range plugs untill the knocking didnt happen anymore upon acceleration, I cant remember the heat range of the plugs that I used though. Do a search on the net and you will find alot of other people with the same tapping sound at start up and 9 times out of 10 it was caused by broken exhaust studs tapping around in the head. I hope this helped a bit.

"Jim Rojas" wrote in message news:A8W3d.3231$C8.2058@trnddc05...

Just where in the head were these broken studs "tapping around" I really don't understand what that means.

It's only a fair comparison if the two vehicles have the same motor.

Somebody said exhaust manifold and broken studs. I've heard that plenty. Even seen it twice in person as a couple good friends own a very busy muffler shop. Motors in that vehicle (95 Pathpuppy) of that design did have exhaust and manifold issues.

It's not the bolts tapping. It is the subsequent exhaust leak that causes the "tapping' noise. Typically, this goes away after the manifold warms up. Mine did it for 60,000 mmiles and I never did get around to fixing it. The fix is to have the warped manifolds milled flat and replace all of the studs. If you buy new manifolds, they will simply warp again.

-Rob

I know that for crying out loud. I was quoting the person I replied to.

What's the difference between new manifolds and the old manifolds being milled?

The cause of the problem is the manifolds warping. If you take one that is already warped and mill it flat, it will stay flat. The new ones will eventually warp. (this is what an experienced nissan tech told me anyhow).

I would have figured Nissan would have found a fix for OEM manifolds.