Alexanderkays
Test Drive
- Location
- Los Angeles
[shamelessly copy/pasted from another forum where I was getting no responses]
Hello all! Very excited about my first Xterra, however I am having a very difficult time with it so far. I know this is a strong car so I'm very much hoping to get this baby back to optimal again. Sorry for the novel, but a lot has happened....
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2003 Nissan Xterra 3.3L VG33E 2wd 5-Speed Manual, 125,XXX miles.
Bought 1 month ago. Single owner until mechanic purchased from them to rebuild engine and sell. Repairs are documented as follows:
- Timing Belt - remove & replace
- Timing Belt tensioner - remove & replace
- Water pump replacement
- Cylinder Head Gasket (includes: remove carbon and check surfaces for warpage, asjust idle speed, ignition timing, valves and clean and adjust spark plugs)
- Cylinder machines and repair, valve repair, replace valve seats
- Thermostat Housing
- Knock Sensor
Ran well for about 3 weeks, no codes. Noticed poor MPG, possible lack of power but no hesitation or misfiring.
Broke down while driving, severe misfire, started then stalled immediately, then wouldn’t turn over anymore at all.
Shop diagnosed and replaced fuel pump
Car would start then, but still severe severe misfire
Throwing crankshaft sensor code & MAF code
Dealership replaced crankshaft sensor
After repair, car then started throwing camshaft sensor code (no more MAF code) is
Dealership replaced distributor
Car returned to me still with slight misfire and rich air/fuel mix
Now throwing 02 sensor code
I couldn’t afford anymore dealer repairs so I started myself
Dealer suggested next repairs to be new plugs and wires, and if necessary new 02 sensor.
Replaced plugs and wires on all 6 cylinders
spark plugs were all very black
Started and ran very strong, but seemed like occasional misfiring and white smoke started coming from exhaust intermittently. Still smelled very rich. Also at this point it started sounding like a diesel truck with clicking coming from engine.
Replaced Bank 1 Sensor 1 with OEM 02 Sensor.
Noticed white smoke coming from valve cover when checking oil.
Replaced oil & filter with high mileage synthetic & Lucas high mileage additive
Car started throwing Cylinder 5 misfire shortly after.
Replaced fuel injector on cylinder 5.
Cleared all codes.
Suspecting that cylinder 5 fuel injector may have been dumping extra gas past the piston rings into oil, I again Replaced oil & filter with new high mileage synthetic & Lucas high mileage additive. Upon starting the diesel clicking went away after about ten seconds and idle was strong.
Car seems to be running very strong at times with steady idle, no shaking, and no smoke. However, at other times it seems like it is slightly misfiring again, with diesel sound coming back, and white smoke coming back intermittently. (Clue: Seemed to be no white smoke during highway driving, even when downshifting/passing
Added fresh tank of Valero gas with Royal Purple Max-Clean gas treatment
I’m suspecting I will throw another code soon, but nothing is showing up so far.
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Please help me diagnose, I’ve almost purchased the car twice at this point and I’m getting a little hopeless here. I can wrench a lot of things myself as long as I don’t need some very specialized equipment. This car is in amazing condition otherwise and I’m doing everything I can to get it running well as I think it’s a good investment that I don’t want to give up on!
Hello all! Very excited about my first Xterra, however I am having a very difficult time with it so far. I know this is a strong car so I'm very much hoping to get this baby back to optimal again. Sorry for the novel, but a lot has happened....
---------
2003 Nissan Xterra 3.3L VG33E 2wd 5-Speed Manual, 125,XXX miles.
Bought 1 month ago. Single owner until mechanic purchased from them to rebuild engine and sell. Repairs are documented as follows:
- Timing Belt - remove & replace
- Timing Belt tensioner - remove & replace
- Water pump replacement
- Cylinder Head Gasket (includes: remove carbon and check surfaces for warpage, asjust idle speed, ignition timing, valves and clean and adjust spark plugs)
- Cylinder machines and repair, valve repair, replace valve seats
- Thermostat Housing
- Knock Sensor
Ran well for about 3 weeks, no codes. Noticed poor MPG, possible lack of power but no hesitation or misfiring.
Broke down while driving, severe misfire, started then stalled immediately, then wouldn’t turn over anymore at all.
Shop diagnosed and replaced fuel pump
Car would start then, but still severe severe misfire
Throwing crankshaft sensor code & MAF code
Dealership replaced crankshaft sensor
After repair, car then started throwing camshaft sensor code (no more MAF code) is
Dealership replaced distributor
Car returned to me still with slight misfire and rich air/fuel mix
Now throwing 02 sensor code
I couldn’t afford anymore dealer repairs so I started myself
Dealer suggested next repairs to be new plugs and wires, and if necessary new 02 sensor.
Replaced plugs and wires on all 6 cylinders
spark plugs were all very black
Started and ran very strong, but seemed like occasional misfiring and white smoke started coming from exhaust intermittently. Still smelled very rich. Also at this point it started sounding like a diesel truck with clicking coming from engine.
Replaced Bank 1 Sensor 1 with OEM 02 Sensor.
Noticed white smoke coming from valve cover when checking oil.
Replaced oil & filter with high mileage synthetic & Lucas high mileage additive
Car started throwing Cylinder 5 misfire shortly after.
Replaced fuel injector on cylinder 5.
Cleared all codes.
Suspecting that cylinder 5 fuel injector may have been dumping extra gas past the piston rings into oil, I again Replaced oil & filter with new high mileage synthetic & Lucas high mileage additive. Upon starting the diesel clicking went away after about ten seconds and idle was strong.
Car seems to be running very strong at times with steady idle, no shaking, and no smoke. However, at other times it seems like it is slightly misfiring again, with diesel sound coming back, and white smoke coming back intermittently. (Clue: Seemed to be no white smoke during highway driving, even when downshifting/passing
Added fresh tank of Valero gas with Royal Purple Max-Clean gas treatment
I’m suspecting I will throw another code soon, but nothing is showing up so far.
---
Please help me diagnose, I’ve almost purchased the car twice at this point and I’m getting a little hopeless here. I can wrench a lot of things myself as long as I don’t need some very specialized equipment. This car is in amazing condition otherwise and I’m doing everything I can to get it running well as I think it’s a good investment that I don’t want to give up on!