The Nissan Path

Hello Pathfinder people, I'm wondering if anyone has purchased a remanufactured long block and are you happy with the place you purchased the long block from? Would this be the best way to go since I need a new engine. This will be the 3rd engine going in this Pathfinder since I bought it in October of 2018.

Wow whats going on with your Pathy??
Theses engine usually last forever.

Bad cats causing ingestion of ceramic catalytic conevrter parts?
Or jumped time?

In any event here are plenty of used VQ40de in junk yards all across the country in totaled vehicles.
Should be able to pick one of those up for a fraction of the cost...

I would go with a used engine from a later model Frontier or Xterra. The VQ40DE is the same all the way through 2019 on the Frontier and until the last year of the Xterra.

Thanks guys, here's what's going on. Bought my Pathfinder from a dealership used. During the inspection they missed a bad lower radiator hose. So when that broke while I was driving, the engine overheated. Dealership replaced that engine with a used engine. That engine had very rough idle and would die. Also lots of timing chain noise. Brought it to a mechanic who changed timing chains but forgot to put oil in it. So not the engines fault. Called mechanic, for 3 days no call back. Went to his shop twice, not there. Very bummed out. I think I'll have to start doing my own work for now on.

smj999smj wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:44 am

I would go with a used engine from a later model Frontier or Xterra. The VQ40DE is the same all the way through 2019 on the Frontier and until the last year of the Xterra.

So I would be able to get a 2019 Frontier engine that would drop into my Pathy? Any mods, or direct replacement?

I'm starting to look for a newer Frontier 4.0 and was wondering what the VIN 4th digit means? VIN A, VIN D ? Do I need a certain VIN letter? Thanks

Yes, if you find a VQ40DE from a Frontier it will bolt right in! They are all the same and you can find them in:

NISSAN FRONTIER 2005-2019
NISSAN NV1500 2012-2018
NISSAN NV2500 2012-2018
NISSAN NV3500 2012-2018
NISSAN PATHFINDER 2005-2012
NISSAN XTERRA 2005-2015
SUZUKI EQUATOR 2009-2012

Thanks so much for the reply. I wanted to see if what the mechanic wrote me sounds true or not. Here's what he said:


Spoke to master Nissan tech. Oil blow by is on start up on your car. Which means it can pull oil via crankcase into your intake. . He has seen the same issue. He suggested what I said, pull the throttle and clean it. Unhook battery for 10min and then start the car. There will be no noise or issue until it fills the intake again with oil. The 2nd thing he mentioned is that these cars have bad piston rings. That will be your next option. Heads have to come off and block and pistons check.
I would say just clean the throttle, if will take literally 10min. Start up after you reset the ECU and then see how fast it will lose oil again.

Well, I bought a 2018 4.0 with 10K miles. It's being shipped to a shop I found and seems to be a good one. Hoping this engine will last, I feel pretty good about this. Can't wait to get it, and have the shop drop it in.

Well I wanted to thank @smj999smj and @ palmerwmd for the advice earlier about my engine. I bought a 2018 4.0 with 10K miles on it. Found a REAL shop that had it installed in 1 day. The 2nd day was testing. Now, since my warranty kicked in a new transmission and my low milage engine, It's like driving a new Pathfinder. Thanks again guys!!!!