Nissan 3.0 V-6 question

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Warren - 28 Mar 2005 16:08 GMT

I own a 1992 Pathfinder with a 3.0L V-6. If I'm not mistaken, this is
essentially the same engine found in 300Zs of the same period. It has
~100K miles on it, and has been a solid, reliable vehicle. So much
so, that my son has it down at the university, which really limits my
"wrench time".

It's recently developed an extremely rich condition, where it lopes at
idle (reminds me of those cammed up muscle cars of the 60s), soot out
the tailpipe on acceleration, and very poor gas milage. This last
issue is what's really paining my son, since he basically pays his own
way at school working part time, and with gas prices as crazy as they
are, he's doing some justified whining to his dad.

Where should I look first? Clogged injector? Bad O2 sensor? I'm
looking for suggestions, since most likely I'll have to get the thing
home over a weekend, and try to get it fixed.

Oh yeah, I am "qualified" for this newsgroup. I have a one owner 260Z
with under 100K miles on it. Bought that puppy back in August 1974,
and still love it. Needs paint, and a carb rebuild, and some other
odds and ends. Hasn't been driven in about 10 years, and it's about
time to get it up and going again.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions rendered on the Pathfinder. Fix
my e-mail address if you want to reply via that route.

Reply to this Message

Steve T - 29 Mar 2005 06:20 GMT

> I own a 1992 Pathfinder with a 3.0L V-6. If I'm not mistaken, this is
> essentially the same engine found in 300Zs of the same period.

Sorta the same, most of it is different.

> It's recently developed an extremely rich condition, where it lopes at
> idle (reminds me of those cammed up muscle cars of the 60s), soot out
> the tailpipe on acceleration, and very poor gas milage.
>
> Where should I look first? Clogged injector?

Nope, that would make it lean.

> Bad O2 sensor?

Doubtful. if you unplug it, the truck should run OK which I doubt it will.

> I'm
> looking for suggestions, since most likely I'll have to get the thing
> home over a weekend, and try to get it fixed.

My guess (if it has the TB type injection) is the "air flow meter" black box
on the side of the throttle body. It has a hot wire type sensor that is in
the air stream that measures the air flow, seen them fail and do this..

If this is the case, a whole TB assembly from a junkyard will be the
cheapest fix as this wasn't a real common problem a used one will probably
work fine.

Signature

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

Reply to this Message

Warren - 29 Mar 2005 15:39 GMT

Thanks for the reply, Steve. I kinda figured that you'd be someone
that would reply. I appreciate a good ole Ga. boy trying to help out
a western NC tarheel.

No, my truck has a throttle body, and it's not given me a moment of
trouble and now has over 230K miles on it.

I'm pretty sure this Pathfinder has the same type of multi-port FI
that the V-6 Zcars had. It's a monster too, I did one plug change a
couple of years ago, and had to use almost every extention in my
toolbox to reach down between the plenum runners to get to plug #6.
Haven't been too eager to do another change either. I hate working by
feel on something I can't see. Ask me about the Sentra fuel pump I
put on years ago sometime...

What would make a V-6 300ZX run all rich and crappy? Ever seen one
behave like I described? You're pretty much a guru on Nissans, and I
do appreciate and respect your comments.

If, you choose to make one, that is.

BTW, this is the nasty running V-6 the feds made Nissan stop importing
years ago. For a couple of years past this model, you could only get
the same 4 cylinder my '95 PU has. Underpowered, and not very gas
miserly either.

Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have. My son, down at UNCC
appreciates it too. If you prefer, I can take this to e-mail.

Warren

>> I own a 1992 Pathfinder with a 3.0L V-6. If I'm not mistaken, this is
>> essentially the same engine found in 300Zs of the same period.
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>cheapest fix as this wasn't a real common problem a used one will probably
>work fine.

Reply to this Message

Steve T - 30 Mar 2005 06:37 GMT

> What would make a V-6 300ZX run all rich and crappy?

Fuel pressure problems or dirty EFI temp sensor connections. These have a
"limp mode" for a dead temp sensor so for a quick test, try unplugging the
temp sensor and see how it runs..

Signature

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

Reply to this Message

NissTech - 02 Apr 2005 02:54 GMT

go out and wiggle the connector at the air flow meter.

I'll bet it clears right up

> I own a 1992 Pathfinder with a 3.0L V-6. If I'm not mistaken, this is
> essentially the same engine found in 300Zs of the same period. It has
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Thanks in advance for any suggestions rendered on the Pathfinder. Fix
> my e-mail address if you want to reply via that route.

Reply to this Message

Warren - 06 Apr 2005 01:52 GMT

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Sorry to be late replying, but I
was out of town most of last week.

I'll check out the connections next week when the son buzzes by for a
visit.

I'll let everyone know how things work out, and what I learn in the
process.

Thanks again.

Reply to this Message

2Stroke - 17 Apr 2005 02:27 GMT

With that many miles, I'd guess leaking fuel injector. Note that if
it's been leaking for a while, you'll find your cat melted from the
volume of fuel that burned in the cat instead of the engine.

>I own a 1992 Pathfinder with a 3.0L V-6. If I'm not mistaken, this is
>essentially the same engine found in 300Zs of the same period. It has
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>Thanks in advance for any suggestions rendered on the Pathfinder. Fix
>my e-mail address if you want to reply via that route.

Reply to this Message