Not sure what just happened But I bought an 04 Xterra for a grand

[Peacemkr45]

Don't know how exactly it came into being outside of a sly comment but I bought the Frontier a little brother. Bought a 2004 Xterra for a grand. It's just a 2WD SE and I'm more than familiar with it's maintenance as I've been the one wrenching on it for the past few years.

Now the backstory:

Son in law totaled my wife's car that he was driving while having me do all the work to get his Xterra ready for inspection. He ended up borrowing his dad's Ford 150 for a few weeks. He was going to trade in the X on a used car at the local dealership. Dealership would only offer him a grand for it. I told him at least 2 or I'd give him the grand for it and it stays in the family. Fast forward an hour or so and he asked for the price of the car without the trade. They said they still needed a grand down. I called my Chief financial officer who approved the purchase. My son in law thought I was kidding until I whipped out the credit card for the down payment. I now own a 2004 Xterra SE with 94K on the Odo. He now has a 2018 Ford Ecosport.

 

[Peacemkr45]

Got my first 2 medium and longer range trips in the books. 1st trip was 130 miles, second was 40 and it ran like a swiss watch. Had AC issues so got it into the shop and we ran the purge and test then refill of the AC and everything is functioning like new. It was just low on R-134a.

 

[Prime]

I love it. A couple of weeks ago, I took the truck about 1200 miles round trip. And it did not complain about ANYTHING. These things are STUPID reliable. And you're starting with 94k, it's basically new. Just be prepared. Timing belt is coming due in another 10k.

 

[relentless044]

I love it. A couple of weeks ago, I took the truck about 1200 miles round trip. And it did not complain about ANYTHING. These things are STUPID reliable. And you're starting with 94k, it's basically new. Just be prepared. Timing belt is coming due in another 10k.

no need to worry as prime's vg33 expert timing belt replacement shop is up and running

 

[Peacemkr45]

I'm just waiting on the waterpump to come in. I already have the replacement guides and belt. Gotta get it passed in the inspection first. Once all that is done, I'll be looking into a replacement head unit and probably speakers as the current aftermarket doesn't support apple play or android auto.

 

[Peacemkr45]

Aaaaannnnnnd the AC quit. Just had it checked last week at work and since it was on a transit tag, I can't drive it back to work to see what's going on. Guess I need to invest in a modern AC gauge manifold set and start troubleshooting.

 

[kirk]

The last two I had were leaking from the high side line (everything else was working fine). I dunno why.

I love me a cheap Xterra! Good on you!

 

[kirk]

I love it. A couple of weeks ago, I took the truck about 1200 miles round trip. And it did not complain about ANYTHING. These things are STUPID reliable. And you're starting with 94k, it's basically new. Just be prepared. Timing belt is coming due in another 10k.

My back would be screaming after 600 miles in that seat, but I've been tempted to take a road trip in mine several times. I may do that this summer.

 

[Peacemkr45]

Update with the new manifold gauge set... Looks like the compressor bought the farm. Time to shop for a replacement.

 

[Peacemkr45]

Well, replaced the compressor, pulled a vacuum and recharged it. Another problem out of the way. Bought 2 key blanks and 2 fobs off of amazon. Fobs paired up fine and YEA ME!!! the keys are not transponder keys. Cut both of them at work (Why we still have a manual key cutting machine at work is beyond me) and checked both sets. I now have 3 sets of keys and 3 working fobs. I swear, I am trying to get it inspected and registered so it's driveable.

 

[Peacemkr45]

Now throwing a P0171 code. haven't smoke tested it yet but tried the carb cleaner on all the vac lines, no surging. cleaned the MAF and throttle body with no changes. Don't have a fuel pressure gauge so can't check that. Since it's a bank 1 issue, I don't really expect it to be MAF, pressure, throttle body or anything equating to the intake portion. Code reader is a POS launch Creader 3001 so it's not providing much info. I can feel an intermittent misfire regardless of engine temp but no way to determine which cylinder.
Anyone have any ideas as I don't want to parts cannon this if at all possible.

 

[TerryD]

Swap upstream O2 sensors and see if it follows the sensor. Could be a plugged or failing injector as well. Even a leaking intake gasket or even a leaky or cracked exhaust manifold can cause these codes.

Get an inexpensive ELM327 obd2 reader from Amazon and the Torque app. It's helpful chasing these things down.