1995 Pathfinder Abnormal Fuel economy...

zimmer_kole · May 2nd, 2005, 06:18 PM

Ok ok hear me out before you give me the all expected "Dude it's an SUV get over it" or "Dude quit bagging it and you'll get better milage"... i've heard it all. The truth is, City driving, this tank, I never went over 3k rpm's (drove slow), and i burned half a tank in about 80 km's... or i guess that would be 50 miles. Now I KNOW this is not right. Here are the things I have replaced: Air filter, fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap, rotor... well that might be it... guys im stumped here! What else could be causing such a drastic fall in gas milage? Any and all insight would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and the o2 sensor should be fine, if it wasn't, there would be an engine light, would there not? (And the bulb is fine). Thanks!

NPath · May 2nd, 2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmer_kole

Ok ok hear me out before you give me the all expected "Dude it's an SUV get over it" or "Dude quit bagging it and you'll get better milage"... i've heard it all. The truth is, City driving, this tank, I never went over 3k rpm's (drove slow), and i burned half a tank in about 80 km's... or i guess that would be 50 miles. Now I KNOW this is not right. Here are the things I have replaced: Air filter, fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap, rotor... well that might be it... guys im stumped here! What else could be causing such a drastic fall in gas milage? Any and all insight would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and the o2 sensor should be fine, if it wasn't, there would be an engine light, would there not? (And the bulb is fine). Thanks!

Change the O2 sensor!!! I had bad mileage myself going 150km on half a tank of gas. My CEL did not come on at all. I've changed the sensor and now it's back to normal, 400km on a full tank (60L).

If you're gonna change the O2 sensor, I suggest you have some WD-40 with you. Once you start loosening the sensor, after a while of grunting to crack it open, it'll very quickly get tight due to carbon buildup. Just work it back and forth slowly so you don't strip the threads on the pipe. Other than that, it's a pretty easy swap. It'll run you about $70 for the sensor. The 3 wire harness is on the passenger side mounted on a bracket with 2 other harnesses, I believe.

zimmer_kole · May 2nd, 2005, 07:35 PM

Alright I'll check the o2 sensor and probably grab a new one... Any more suggestions anybody?

Edit: After some thinking, if the o2 sensor was bad the truck should be idling and driving rough, or at least in a unwell manner. The truth is, its running GREAT! (Or at least it seems that way). The idling is a tad bit uneven, but not rough, and it drives nice.... so... keep em comin

NPath · May 2nd, 2005, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmer_kole

Alright I'll check the o2 sensor and probably grab a new one... Any more suggestions anybody?

Edit: After some thinking, if the o2 sensor was bad the truck should be idling and driving rough, or at least in a unwell manner. The truth is, its running GREAT! (Or at least it seems that way). The idling is a tad bit uneven, but not rough, and it drives nice.... so... keep em comin

Before I changed the O2, which was the problem, it was running great with no problems. If I were to sell it to a first time pathfinder owner, he'd wouldn't know the difference unless he had another ride with a V6.

zimmer_kole · May 3rd, 2005, 11:20 AM

Alright i guess might as well just give it a shot and throw it in... can't hurt... i'll let you guys know how it goes. But, keep the comments coming!

**88pathoffroad** · May 3rd, 2005, 01:13 PM

You don't need to change the O2 sensor first, try using a propane torch to burn off any carbon deposits and see what happens. On mine, I got 4+ MPG more and all it cost me was a half-hour's worth of work...dealership O2 sensors are like $135.

zimmer_kole · May 3rd, 2005, 07:18 PM

With some connections i can get a brand new one by NGK for $63 canadian... so i'll probably go that way.... but hey i read your post... is it easy to clean the mass airflow sensor? It's right on the air deal right?

Jarek · May 3rd, 2005, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmer_kole

is it easy to clean the mass airflow sensor? It's right on the air deal right?

Air deal? lol.... you mean intake?

Ive never had a bad MAF on my 94 pathy, but i would imagine since its a piece of electronics... they just go bad. Its not really anything mechanical to clean? little help here 88pathoffroad or anyone

zimmer_kole · May 3rd, 2005, 08:08 PM

Haha yeah thats the one... Im tired gimme some slack :P

jerryp58 · May 3rd, 2005, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarek

Ive never had a bad MAF on my 94 pathy, but i would imagine since its a piece of electronics... they just go bad. Its not really anything mechanical to clean? little help here 88pathoffroad or anyone

It took me a while, but I finally found this thread http://www.nissanforums.com/showthre...ight=clean+maf with a good link by Lotust.

NPath · May 13th, 2005, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmer_kole

Alright i guess might as well just give it a shot and throw it in... can't hurt... i'll let you guys know how it goes. But, keep the comments coming!

Zimmer_kole,

Did you change the O2 sensor? What else have you done? Getting better mileage?

zimmer_kole · May 13th, 2005, 02:10 AM

Hey guys, sorry for the wait, busy with school and work... but heres an update: Bought an o2 sensor, (good deal, related to people who know people kinda thing haha) ended up being around $73 cad, tax in, (NGK), and soooo, I got some Bolt-Out penatrating crap, and needless to say i've spent 3 days or a total of about 4-6 trying to get the f***ing sensor out! I've used almost a full bottle of this rust penatrator. Now that i've stripped the bolt beyold existence, I had brought out plyers and vice grips... and managed to get the sensor around 3/4 the way out... but it just hits a spot where it siezes. I'll be trying again saturday evening after work i guess. But... I also found another source of gas milage reduction... kinda funny actually... except not really haha.... so i have the front end jacked up, right? I just decide hey why dont i spin the front tire, im bored! Push it, the tire is like psh stop. Im like... "Son of a bitch!" So yeah looks like the calipers (ON BOTH SIDES) are siezed. Great! And that explains my spungy breaks... the calipers aren't pushing the fluid back up the lines. Well... tune in next time!

Kole.

**88pathoffroad** · May 13th, 2005, 02:32 AM

Lovely....lube up your slide pins on the calipers. On the MAF sensor, just remove it and carefully clean the two heater wires with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.

NPath · May 13th, 2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmer_kole

Hey guys, sorry for the wait, busy with school and work... but heres an update: Bought an o2 sensor, (good deal, related to people who know people kinda thing haha) ended up being around $73 cad, tax in, (NGK), and soooo, I got some Bolt-Out penatrating crap, and needless to say i've spent 3 days or a total of about 4-6 trying to get the f***ing sensor out! I've used almost a full bottle of this rust penatrator. Now that i've stripped the bolt beyold existence, I had brought out plyers and vice grips... and managed to get the sensor around 3/4 the way out... but it just hits a spot where it siezes.

Have you started up the Pathfinder and let it run for a while? It may help as I removed my O2 sensor immediately after picking it up. The heat from the exhaust may help.

zimmer_kole · May 14th, 2005, 01:49 AM

Hey... MAF sensor I already cleaned

but yeah i'll grease up the calipers next time I get the chance... and thanks for the idea on letting it run to warm up the metal... I guess with the metal expanded I'll have a better chance.