Comments: 1-15, 16-24
Nothing has gone wrong with this vehicle so far that wasn't already wrong with it or had anything to do with the vehicle manufacturer itself.
2 weeks after I had my mechanic order some new belts because I'd noticed my current (not original) ones were cracking, and had scheduled them to be replaced the next day, the A/C belt snapped and ripped the other 2 (water pump, fan & alternator) off. So keep in mind this engine's construction may be more prone to catastrophic belt failure. Just pay attention to the condition of your belts and it'll all be fine.
The interior does scratch easily, but it's not all that worse than other vehicles. Generally speaking it actually looks nicer than other brand cars I ride in that are only 4-6 years old. This all depends on the owner. Take care of your vehicle and it'll look good till the wheels fall off.
Speaking of wheels falling off.. after I purchased this vehicle from the previous owner, I had to have 4 new tires put on (apparently the other guy had put 98,000 miles on the current ones - they were more than a little worn). I went with cheapo tires: about $65 each. Note here that my vehicle requires a very peculiar sized tire, 31x10.5xR15. With less than 1,000 miles on the new tires, the right rear one blew out completely, the sidewall shredded, on I-95 at highway speed. Needless to say, I switched to different (twice as expensive) tires, very stiff ones with Kevlar reinforcement. The only reason I make mention of this is that my mechanic - who's a trusted friend and has been working as one for over 30 years - stated that he's sold this type of tire countless times before and never, ever seen a blowout like this; however, the tires he was legally required to put on mine were wider (ie, more rubber, bigger sidewalls) than anything he's sold of this brand before.
Now, the major problem with my '95 Pathfinder is an engine tapping sound. The engine will make this noise no matter how hot or cold it is, how long it's been running, how hot or thick or high the oil is. It's only audible at below about 20 mph, and is loudest when idling. When I play with the accelerator a bit while parked, I noticed the pitch and volume of tapping raises dramatically after letting off the accelerator quickly, after raising it to anything above idle.
My mechanic and I have even tried an excellent brand-name engine cleaner to no avail. The previous owner, whom I'm still in contact with, said that it started many years ago before even 100,000 miles (it's currently just past 170,000 miles) were put on it. He said that it used to get better after an oil change, and was a 'little better' after he had the timing belt/chain (?) replaced, but it's never fully gone away. Everyone that listens to it has a different opinion on what might be wrong - sticky valve, bad bearing, piston slap, etc. If anyone here could tell me an inexpensive way to definitively conclude what's causing the engine noise, I'd be greatly appreciative. It wasn't until I came to this site that I became aware of the exhaust manifold problems; maybe it could be that. Strangely, the mechanics at the Nissan dealership had no clue at it when I took it to have it looked at. They simply advised me to 'keep a cell phone' on me at all times.
I love this vehicle. Since purchasing it 6 months ago I have put over 13,000 miles on it (part of my job; I'm on-call all over the state). It's an adequate city vehicle as far as SUVs go, but the few times I've taken it off the beaten path convince me it'd perform fabulously in any offroad condition. I have yet to put it up against the harsh Northeast winter - and I rather look forward to it.
For a '95 model with 170,000 miles on it, I've probably lucked out as far as its condition goes. There are no holes whatsoever in the frame, something I see a lot of people complaining about, even though the prior owner drove it on beaches occasionally. The wheelwell mud guards are still almost completely intact so this may have something to do with it.
The transmission works flawlessly while driving and has no issues shifting in any way. The only peculiarity I've noticed is, the longer it sits without being used, the longer a delay there is when I first start it up going into drive; it can be as much as 3 seconds, and I know when it engages because the rear end lurches.
Compared to driving a friend's '99 Chevy Tahoe, this Pathfinder handles like a small car. The turning radius is my only complaint as far as handling goes. Unfortunately, it was made a year or two before the easy-steering system was introduced to most trucks and SUVs, so the much larger '99 Tahoe can drive circles around me. Not a major problem unless I'm trying to park in a tight spot.
The 'full-size' spare tire is a POS donut. However, the original owner managed to procure a letter from Nissan stating they'd pay for any damages or towing if the included tire gave him any trouble. Unfortunately I can't tell if it's meant to be transferable.
The spare tire carrier latch needs adjustment now and then; the roads around here are subject to extreme temperature changes and are very bumpy as a result. I've had the carrier fly open twice after hitting some big ones, but with a ratchet and tweaking, it'll stay shut as long as it's maintained properly.
That's the main point here - I know this vehicle will last practically forever if I maintain it well. I lubricate the doors and rear gate/carrier and even the original motorized antenna, change the oil when it's due, use a thicker oil than the manual calls for (10W-30), and even plan on replacing part of the front wheelwell mud guard that's ripped off (just a plastic flap) to keep the frame from rusting out. As soon as I can afford it, I'm going to have the engine noise researched and rectified.
I plan on keeping this vehicle going for years to come.
Your tapping noise is probably a stuck valve lifter. I had the same problem in an Isuzu Rodeo and drove it for years in that condition. It has no bearing on the life of the engine. I remember a 30 weight motor oil changed every 3k or so kept it quiet.
Because you stated that the noise is present when the engine is hot or cold, you can rule out piston slap. Piston slap is when there is too much of a gap between the piston and cylinder wall and it "bangs" around until the engine warms up and the metal expands removing/diminishing the gap. If the noise is due to a stuck or collapsed lifter (aka value lash adjuster), then try this. With the transmission in park, rev the engine to 3000 rpms and hold it there for 5-10 seconds, then release and let the engine come back to idle. If the issue is a stuck/collapsed lifter, then there should be a few seconds of "quiet time" before the noise reappears. The reving of the engine forces oil into the "bad" lifter that would not be able to get in there at idle. If it was a bad bearing, then the noise should be REALLY loud.
Ticking on this vintage pathfinders is likely due to cracked exhaust manifolds and or broken exhaust manifold studs. It was a design flaw that will affect all VG30E equipped vehicles. Typically, the ticking will go away as the engine heats up. If the leak is allowed to persist long enough, it can become a permanent leak with ticking sound ever-present. This would indicated that the gasket was allowed to burn away by not repairing the cracked manifold or broken stud. The exhaust manifold repair is not cheap, but is really the only serious problem that Pathfinders of this era have.
As far as the 31x10.5 tires, they are a standard size left over from before metric sized tires. It's a common size tire with off-roaders. Make sure you keep your tires properly inflated. If you have a leak, an experienced tire shop will help determine the fault. Nissan factory alloy wheels are typically if high quality, so perhaps you had a leaky valve stem that caused the blowout from low tire pressure.
I'd recommend contacting a salvage yard and getting a fifth alloy wheel and having it fitted with a 31x10.5 size tire on the spare. The spare tire that pathfinders came from the factory matched the size of the standard wheel package, but Nissan never upgraded the spare to match the over-sized tire package.
I've had a 1995 pathfinder for many years and I really like mine a great deal. Its very difficult for me to find anything as reliable, and flexible as this truck has been for me.
(I'm the original author of this article)
Thanks for the advice, guys. After doing some research and testing, I think we've determined some things about what's wrong with the engine.
Every engine specialist I've had listen to it closely immediately states we're not dealing with an exhaust manifold issue. It's clearly a noise coming from the top of the engine. One man I had listen to it, an old guy who practically lives with engines and takes them apart for a living, stated that it sounds like there's 'a piece of carbon stuck on the head of the piston'. He admitted a valve lifter could be the problem also.
We've tried taking each wire off the distributor cap with the engine running, and interestingly enough, got a result. With each one taken off and placed back on, the engine noise remained the same - until we got to #2. The volume and pitch of the noise dropped dramatically. Unfortunately, it's a heck of a job to get the heads off.
I've tried one other thing you guys recommended. I revved the engine up while in park; the noise almost completely disappears at 2700-3000 rpm, but returns immediately when I drop it to idle. I think this probably rules out the stuck piece of carbon idea, at least, and supports a valve issue. Would having the rocker arms and lifter replaced be the best course of action? Any ideas?
I just wanted to chime in on this one. I, too, have a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder (SE) (4WD). It has a 5-speed, manual transmission, and I am the original owner. This Pathfinder has been a superb SUV over the years and is in great shape. However, I think I have the same noise as described by the originator of this thread. I describe it as sort of a "metallic gurgling" from somewhere within the engine compartment. It sounds somewhat like a rattling string of metal links being pulled a short distance at a time through a metal tube. I can't describe it much better than that. It usually occurs intermittently at slower speeds, and I wouldn't say it matters how long I've been driving or in what temperature. I seem to notice it more when accelerating or when letting off on the gas--especially on the freeway.
I have had the sound appear once before about five or six years ago. At that time, the Nissan dealer (a different dealer in Southern California) changed the timing belt along with an oil change, and it disappeared... until now. In fact, I have it in at the local Nissan dealership for a free 100-point inspection today, along with an oil change and tire rotation. I told them of the noise, and I just got a call back briefing me that they cannot find a source for the described noise. Another thing about this noise is that it seems to have been preceded by some squeaks and squeals from a churning piece of the engine for a few weeks. It sounded like it was coming from a spinning engine component. These squeaks were of the variety sounds that you normally associate with low power steering fluid in a vehicle. These sounds would occur at low "parking lot" speeds and mostly during turning maneuvers in parking lots/driveways. They would also be heard coming from what seemed to be the front wheels. This was the case the first time I had the problem "fixed", as it is now.
So, I guess when I get it back, I'll listen and see if the oil change has made a difference. I did not hear them tell me that the timing belt was an issue at all this time. They did tell me that I had a bad exhaust leak (which I suspected anyway, due to the strong smell of gasoline in my garage whenever I park it in there overnight). I'm told it would cost me over $1,100 to fix that, but I told them "no" to fixing that problem for now. I want to get the Pathfinder back first and see if I notice anything different before making decisions on what to fix and what to leave. Any advice on that?
Will follow up with more information as I get it. Good to know that I'm not the only Pathfinder owner wondering about such a noise. Maybe we can compare more notes as we search for answers.
Our 1995 pathfinder has had this sound three times since 1995 each time I've taken it to a garage, they've found a broken bolt on the manifold.
I too have had the issues mentioned here, though I had two noises, obviously. I have had my 95 Pathfinder for almost a year now and right after I bought it the metal clanking noise started and got really bad. It was the manifold bolts, I have read on other forums that this is a common problem with this engine. Now I have also a second clicking sound after replacing the bolts and machining the manifolds. My mechanic whom I trust said that it is a valve and with an engine cleaning it quieted, but he said that the only way to fix it would be to fix or replace the valve that is causing the problem. Though it isn't a repair that needs to be done immediately, however it is annoying. I have noticed that it gets quieter in the colder months and when revved above 3000 RPM's. Good luck, so far I love this truck it is definitely a keeper.
I'm the original author of this review and I'd like to add a follow-up note, given the newer comments I've noticed and the amount of time it's been since my initial review.
First off, my Pathfinder is just about to pass 184,000 miles, and it's still just about the same. This thing seems like it'll last forever.
The engine noise is no worse, no better, and I'd like to clarify something here - I don't believe it's what most people describe, as in a clanking, churning, or grinding, anything like that. It's almost certainly nothing loose; the noise remains consistent. What it sounds like is a metal-on-metal solid tap every time a single piston (probably #2, as mentioned in a prior comment) reaches a certain point in the cycle. Which point that is I cannot say, as it's conceivable that there's a problem with either an intake or exhaust valve (exhaust more likely, but don't rule anything out), or as one extremely experienced machinist opined, a solidified piece of carbon stuck to the end of a piston striking the end of the cylinder every time it enters completely. It's only audible at low RPM's (generally below 2300), although it will occur regardless of internal temperature or climate.
I'd still like to compare notes on this and other problems with these Pathfinders. If I could think of a way to share contact information without it being out there in the open for everyone to abuse, I'd do it.
March 17 2007.
I've read most of the comments and have yet to read anything about the factory recall on the 1995 Pathfinder engine replacement. Apparently there was a problem with oil supply reaching all parts of the engine, but don't quote me on this, ask your local dealer about this. I believe this was a north american wide recall. I'm located in Canada, My engine was replaced @ 19,000km. I know they were replaced with factory rebuilt engines from Japan. I love my Pathfinder, 1995 SE v6 auto now @ 204,000km and the second Pathfinder I've had,1988 SE v6 5spd.
Cheers...
Hello, I've read your comment regarding a recall. Would this pertain to us now being 12 years later? I too have a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder and I live in Canada. I too have the same problem with my engine.
My Problem:
Press on Gas and feel as if not getting any power until it reaches over 2500rpms. I've tried gas cleaner, injector cleaner, oil cleaner (treats/cleans sludge). I brought it in to shop and they just replaced my ignition cap!!! I get a popping sound when hit gas from a stop and chugging sound.. which also makes my speed sluggish.
Any suggestions or advice would be helpful.
I have a 2004 Pathfinder and love it, other than the ticking/tapping in the engine. It started at about 64,000 miles. I have been told there is nothing wrong. It is louder when first starting up then seems to be less noticeable on the highway. Again today it was so loud it sounded like marbles rolling around in the engine. The Nissan dealer said he couldn't hear it. When on the highway he said he thinks maybe there is sludge in the engine. What would cause this? We have had all our oil changes every 3,000 miles, though the last 3 oil changes we are told the oil is low, what would cause that in such a new car? A friend who works on cars for a living said it sounds like a bad header. Other than this problem I love my pathfinder. Has anyone found the real problem yet? Should I be worried about my Pathfinder?
I was cruising the Internet looking for tires for my '95 Pathfinder and came across this site. I like how you have held on to your Pathfinder as it is just getting warmed up as far as mileage goes. I have a '95 with 290,000 miles on it and it's still running strong. I just replaced the started which is only the second thing to go bad on the car (the other was the water pump. Other than regular replacement items like tires, brakes and belts this car has been great. I was thinking to sell it, but after reading all these articles I figure I'm going to keep it. Maybe I will reach my original thought of reaching 500,000 miles... Heck, I'm more than half way there already...!
I have a 1995 Nissan and love it, but now it is making a howling noise. Could this be a transmission bearing?
I have the problem that the original author is describing--a tapping that sounds like it's coming from the number 2,4 or 6 pistons. I'm in the process of changing the plugs and wires, and have noticed that the wear on the spark plugs is white, indicating that the mixture is lean, the engine is too hot, intake manifold leaks, or a sticking valve.
I'm also getting about 14 mpg in the city, which is about 4-5 mpg less than I was normally getting until this problem started. the tapping is periodic, and either the normal engine hum 'washes' out the tapping, or the tapping dissipates at higher rpm's. The excessive gas consumption has been the only effect with the tapping.
After I replace the plugs, I'm taking it to the dealer for a diagnosis, and I will mention the stuck valve hypothesis.
Just a note to the people with the noisy Pathfinder 3.0 engine. I am also a 1995 Pathfinder original owner. The noise problem was corrected by Nissan with a factory recall back in
1996. I was fortunate to have this problem corrected, the engine now has 140000 miles on it, with no noise.