02MaximaSE

We have a 2001 Pathfinder 3.5LE, it has 13k miles on it, and when we took it to get an oil change, the mechanic noticed cracks right above the oil pan, the lower block, the alloy is cracking!!! no oil is leaking yet, but its not a pretty site. The dealer is repairing it now, Its probably gonna be a recall, this may seem off topic but Im questioning my 2002 Maxima 3.5L

yongjun

did you guys go offroading in it?
maybe you hit something?

Y2KevSE

iTrader: (13)

I really hope it was a fluke.

yongjun

or maybe too much

from chris, matt and you

02MaximaSE

Its never been off -roading, plus the cracks arent blunt cracks, they look stressed, like theres something trying to get out from inside the engine, heh, seriously , its pretty bad, I'll post the full dealer report tomorrow.

02MaximaSE

? what the ?

yongjun

sorry to hear
good luck

TimW

iTrader: (6)

you should do a blackstone report.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

order the free test
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free_test_kit.html

they send you a bottle and a return shipping container, along with detailed instructions. will set you back $18 bucks, but will tell you if anything in the engine is failing, usually long before it happens.

While the max passed with below than average wear, our pathfinder showed alittle high on the wear. I'm doing another test next month to make sure nothing is going wrong.

Cisco

Thanks for the info, I was planning on picking up a 02 Pathfinder next week. Are there any web forums for Pathfinder owners?

GC

TimW

iTrader: (6)

I meant testing the max.

you can try this
http://forums.vmag.com/suvpathfinder0200/

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

And Tim will be officially adding the Pathfinder onto the analysis spreadsheet sticky since that last test was consider suspicious by both him and myself.

TimW

iTrader: (6)

900 more miles b4 next change... crossing fingers, hoping it was a bad capture. :/

02MaximaSE

.
Thanks for the info Tim I ordered the kit for my 2k2 maxima coming in the next few months. Found out the pathfinder cracks were from bad machining/polishing the outer block. Will hang on to see if anything bad happens, we were told that it was just not polished good enough, it sorta like when paint chips, the cracks werent deep enough since the block is thick. Hope nothing happens to this or the max or else

TimW

iTrader: (6)

oh, that sounds like they dont want to replace it. Well, if you accept that (repair), make them pay for an oil change and a Blackstone test. It will verify if they forgot to properly machine the inside as well. Since we dont have magnetic oil plugs its the only good way to tell if excess metal is in the oil.

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

[being annoying like a newbie]
that's not true....the color tells all about the oil. Who needs to fork out 20 bones for an analysis? My two eyes see black, dark brown, brown, and light brown just fine. What do you know?
[/being annoying like a newbie]

TimW

iTrader: (6)

I go by taste. if it tastes bitter, I know there's a problem.. if its spicy, I know its running too rich. If it's crunchy like Grape Nuts®, I know its about to throw a bearing.

mmmm, tastes like chicken... wha?

Paul6speed

LMAO! It's lunch time. I'm going outside for a snack underneath my hood.

Empz

***** TUCKER.

We just Picked up our 2002 Pathfinder ... and Now THIS??

I'm scared!!!

Mike S.

I wouldn't be worried yet. Its ONE problem(not to dimish it) post here on an internet site. Hey...I got a flat tire.....OH MAN...all dunlop tires SUCK and should be recalled.

Empz

I got TOYO's ... Hopefully they are Better! hehe

TimW

iTrader: (6)

if you *really* want to hold them to the fire, you can have those cracks checked (again, assuming they are going to ask you to live with it). They do it all the time in aviation, just about any engine shop at most airports (FBO's, where the private single and twin engine planes are based). Its non-destructive testing. basically, they can take this instrument and run it around the area of the crack. usually they can tell the depth of cracks and perhaps other flaws in the metal. they do it all the time on aircraft. While not cheap, those guys tend to get curious and may help you out. As long as they are assured you wont call them up to testify (if you were to sue) they might even do it for free - doubtful tho.

02MaximaSE

Heh, might just try that, there's a local airport here that does all kinds of work as a matter of fact, my friend steve fly's his cessna plane every weekend, and he works at the shop, I'll ask him to test it

Took it to another dealer to have it checked out for free, and usually when they check things out for free there's always something wrong so they make money, oh your battery is dirty, that'll be 50 bucks to clean it; But they service guy said the metal cured that way, blah blah blah, let me make a post a copy of the work order for you guys, and i'll get some digi cam pics of the block ,and tell me what you guys think.