Top Common Engine Problems 2005-15 Nissan Xterra SUV

In this video, we're gonna talk about '05 to '15 Nissan catastrophic engine problems. So, if you know Nissans, you already know the problems they have, and it's not minor engine problems. It's pretty major. Timing chain tensioner guides, timing chain stretching, engine lights that you can not clear or get rid of. A lot of techs or mechanics always say, "Throw in cam sensor, crank sensors," and they clear the code. That's several hundred dollars into it, and the light comes right back on.

They just keep chasing their tails and that code like a ghost in a haunted house. What it is is timing chain. These are notorious whether it's a 3.5, the 4.0. It does not matter. They do give a little bit of a warning. You'll hear a chatter. Don't let that chatter go away. Don't just say, "Yeah, I'll deal with it later." You must get to it right away because you can save your engine. If you love your vehicle, you don't want to spend tons of money on a new one, you can save it. Just get the timing chain done before it turns into a problem.

You'll have valve damage, piston damage. And then, you've got a vehicle that maybe is 7, 8-years-old, 10, 15, and you'll need another $4 grand for just the engine when you could've just don't the timing chain, taken care of it. Another problem is, well, everyone knows transmission. I know it's not the engine, but it affects the engine. The radiator internally leaks. The transmission cooler mixes with the coolant. You've got this nasty color coming out of here. It causes the engine to overheat. Transmission stops shifting, severe bucking.

That is another catastrophic repair. It's not minor. The transmission sometimes has to be taken out, and rehauled, or just put a new one in. I've had people flush them. But the torque converter, if you know anything about them, the torque converter's a big, round ball chamber of steel...little chambers. And that sludge from the mixing of coolant and trans fluid gets in there, and it's impossible to get out. It ruins sensors, throttle body, meaning the transmission. So it's a pretty big deal.

If you have a car that's in that year, and you don't know if the radiator has been changed, do a little research if you bought it used, and make sure that it gets done if it has not. Last thing I want to talk about is ignition coils. Well, they have a lot of multiple misfires, and that could tag right back to a timing chain. If that chain is...skipped a tooth, you're gonna have cam sensor, crank sensor codes that keep coming up. It could have a misfire code. I do know on Nissan if you bought a coil, you need to do all coils.

Sometimes it will not work with one coil. You'll have a misfire two days later. Then you just keep chasing that misfire around. Check into it. There is a TSB on it, and like I said, call your friendly dealer with your VIN number, and they will give you all the history of any recalls that have been done, and you'll know if you need to do them. Hopefully, you liked this video and enjoyed it. If you're not a subscriber, please subscribe. And don't forget to ring that bell. That turns on all your notifications, so you don't miss a video.