Mando1705 wrote:Krymdog wrote:I'm in VA, here.
The first thing I would do is check to see if the SMOD transmission cooler recall was done.
Then whether it was or wasn't, would be to install a separate transmission cooler.
Other than that....
77k....
Dang.
Definitely going to looking into that, as well as my oil pressure sending unit. As of now those are my only concerns, but I am ignorant when it comes to Nissans so if thier are any other issues I should look out for please let me know.
These are actually very reliable vehicles.
The engines are noticeably stronger than in equivalent Toyotas.
Seats are better too. only the switchgear (inside buttons) is better in the 4Runners.
What issues they have were also common among MB and Toyotas or similar vintage.
I understand (some, not all, or even most) had a timing chain guide machined by a worn out machine and they will develop a whine..
I have owned 3 vehicles with this exact power train (this engine with this transmission) and F body Nissan platform.
1 Silver Edition Pathfinder and two 2nd Gen Xterras.
None of them devloped a timing chian whine.. but it
is a thing..
But even when its starts, its never a must-do-now-or-else kind of thing.
The XTerra was an 05 supposedly the most risky MY of them all (first year of production) and had no powertrain issues at all of any kind except eventually worn down springs in the rear (easy fix just did a add a leaf) and I ran that decade and a half truck
hard and all it needed was some TLC for the suspension.
Sold it to a buddy who is happy as a clam with it.
Still When I got the 05 Xterra I told the dealer I wont pick it up w/o a new radiator in it.
I covered the part and he covered the labor.
So in summary the only thing that is a right-away-must-do is to make sure your tranny is safe from coolant mixing.
As a decade and a half truck that will see use in the US southwest deserts in summer a new radiator is probably a good idea regardless, even w/o this looming concern.
Just to prevent heartbreak I would do it soonest, its the only thing on these trucks that usually needs immediate TLC.
In a pinch people have reported good results with just the bypass too... and thats is essentially free just a bit of your time
Here is the most detailed discussion on this subject we have (if memory serves it includes instructions how to do the bypass yourself)
viewtopic.php?t=2139&highlight=bypass
and here is a recent follow up with another new owner:
viewtopic.php?t=17198&start=15&postdays ... highlight=