14th Apr 2007, 19:55

Hello, I've read your comment regarding a recall. Would this pertain to us now being 12 years later? I too have a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder and I live in Canada. I too have the same problem with my engine.

My Problem:

Press on Gas and feel as if not getting any power until it reaches over 2500rpms. I've tried gas cleaner, injector cleaner, oil cleaner (treats/cleans sludge). I brought it in to shop and they just replaced my ignition cap!!! I get a popping sound when hit gas from a stop and chugging sound.. which also makes my speed sluggish.

Any suggestions or advice would be helpful.

3rd Jul 2007, 19:49

I have a 2004 Pathfinder and love it, other than the ticking/tapping in the engine. It started at about 64,000 miles. I have been told there is nothing wrong. It is louder when first starting up then seems to be less noticeable on the highway. Again today it was so loud it sounded like marbles rolling around in the engine. The Nissan dealer said he couldn't hear it. When on the highway he said he thinks maybe there is sludge in the engine. What would cause this? We have had all our oil changes every 3,000 miles, though the last 3 oil changes we are told the oil is low, what would cause that in such a new car? A friend who works on cars for a living said it sounds like a bad header. Other than this problem I love my pathfinder. Has anyone found the real problem yet? Should I be worried about my Pathfinder?

6th Jul 2007, 18:41

I was cruising the Internet looking for tires for my '95 Pathfinder and came across this site. I like how you have held on to your Pathfinder as it is just getting warmed up as far as mileage goes. I have a '95 with 290,000 miles on it and it's still running strong. I just replaced the started which is only the second thing to go bad on the car (the other was the water pump. Other than regular replacement items like tires, brakes and belts this car has been great. I was thinking to sell it, but after reading all these articles I figure I'm going to keep it. Maybe I will reach my original thought of reaching 500,000 miles... Heck, I'm more than half way there already...!

11th Jul 2007, 20:03

I have a 1995 Nissan and love it, but now it is making a howling noise. Could this be a transmission bearing?

12th Jul 2007, 16:27

I have the problem that the original author is describing--a tapping that sounds like it's coming from the number 2,4 or 6 pistons. I'm in the process of changing the plugs and wires, and have noticed that the wear on the spark plugs is white, indicating that the mixture is lean, the engine is too hot, intake manifold leaks, or a sticking valve.

I'm also getting about 14 mpg in the city, which is about 4-5 mpg less than I was normally getting until this problem started. the tapping is periodic, and either the normal engine hum 'washes' out the tapping, or the tapping dissipates at higher rpm's. The excessive gas consumption has been the only effect with the tapping.

After I replace the plugs, I'm taking it to the dealer for a diagnosis, and I will mention the stuck valve hypothesis.

9th Aug 2007, 15:49

Just a note to the people with the noisy Pathfinder 3.0 engine. I am also a 1995 Pathfinder original owner. The noise problem was corrected by Nissan with a factory recall back in

1996. I was fortunate to have this problem corrected, the engine now has 140000 miles on it, with no noise.

28th Aug 2007, 09:50

The recall on the 1995 Pathfinders was only on units produced during a limited production window. The cause was a part (I think the camshaft, but it's been a long time) that had been designed to accommodate the changeover to 1996 models did not have a required lubrication point that the 95's needed, but 96's did not. So 1995 units would fail prematurely, if the component was not replaced.

If your vehicle is now 10 years old and has not failed, you are likely OK at this point. Having said that, recalls are not time-limited - call your local dealer.

I have a 95 XE pwr/sport with 257,000kms on it -original owner. I suffer from the broken manifold studs, but haven't gotten them repaired.

1st Sep 2007, 02:23

I also have a 95 Pathfinder that makes this noise.. but it has done 435000 kms and is still going STRONG, so I'm not too worried. :)

My only complaint I have is how thirsty it is!! 150kms to 35 litres isn't good! Love it in every other way though.

14th Oct 2007, 22:44

I too have the problem with tick noise. And #2 cylinder changes sound if spark plug is removed. He is the problem. Piston Slap... You can confirm this by putting a little oil in the cylinder and putting spark plug back in. Fire engine up. Noise is gone for like 10 seconds. This is piston slap..

I have a 95 v-6 Nissan truck same engine vg30e.

I'm looking into that recall they had some years back with defective engine.

Does anyone know about that?

29th Nov 2007, 23:52

WOW I am happy to see I am not just hearing things as well. My 3.0 engine started making a squeeking/ticking noise around 130k miles and only occurs while the enging is warming up. Has changing the #2 plug corrected the problem? Did it ever go away after an exhaust repair? Can you recall the engine? It is annoying, but I love the Path! Still no cure for certain. I will wait to hear. I do agree it does seem to come from inside the motor.

1st Dec 2007, 02:53

I too have just started experiencing this noise in my 95 SE. I'm at 147,000 miles. The ticking is loud and happens at idle, and ticks faster while accelerating. It's not a manifold issue (I had enough of those form my 280zx to know what that sounds like.) and it's coming from what I think would be the top right side of the engine facing the car. I'm going to take it in for an oil change in the morning and see what's what.

Maybe this will finally give me an excuse to buy my 350z roadster. (I'll of course, keep my Pathfinder. It's been too good to me!)

15th Feb 2008, 20:58

I also have a 95 Pathfinder SE. And had the knocking sound. Found out it was the knock sensor mounted on the engine block. It sends signals to the ECU to compensate for engine knock or ping. So if the sensor goes bad, it's not working and you will hear knocking or ticking or pinging. Have a mechanic diagnose with OBD 2 diagnostics.