Kinda uncomfortable talking about myself, but I guess it may come in handy later if I ask questions. I bought a 2006 Xterra SE(I think it's SE) used from a dealership in DFW in 2006. It had 18k on it when I got it and it now has about 250k; I use it as a service vehicle to carry me and my tools around, I work on medical imaging devices.
Terra has been great to us. The only problem for the longest time was a blower resistor until Oct2011 when the fuel pump died. I was stupid and kept restarting the car and dumped unburnt fuel in the exhaust and a week after I replaced the pump(dealer) I had to hollow out the cats to stay on the road. Last year I replaced the cats(four of them, doing it myself) and have had a few issues getting the replacements to work without burning out the gaskets, but Napa is working with me on this.
Recently, while revving the engine to get the bolts hot on the cats so I could tighten them more, I ruined at least one gasket on the compressor and had to figure out why my a/c wouldn't cool. But I actually figured that one out and it seems to be holding pressure now. Now I have the stoopid belt making noise. It has nearly always squeaked at startup but quieted down once warmed up, but now it is almost gone while warm and at idle but really gets going when accelerating or maintaining speed. So I think I will get a stethoscope and see if I can narrow it down.
On the more minor side I have replaced the stereo and speakers and added a powered bazooka, and replaced the gas supports on the rear door. I put the 175lbs ones on and my wife "loves" them. Also I bought a bluetooth OBDII adaptor on amazon and have been using the Torque app on my Droid, this solution works so much better than running to autozone every time, and for only $25.
Anyway I have been lurking for a while now and thought I would join officially. Looking forward to picking brains.
Eamon
Terra has been great to us. The only problem for the longest time was a blower resistor until Oct2011 when the fuel pump died. I was stupid and kept restarting the car and dumped unburnt fuel in the exhaust and a week after I replaced the pump(dealer) I had to hollow out the cats to stay on the road. Last year I replaced the cats(four of them, doing it myself) and have had a few issues getting the replacements to work without burning out the gaskets, but Napa is working with me on this.
Recently, while revving the engine to get the bolts hot on the cats so I could tighten them more, I ruined at least one gasket on the compressor and had to figure out why my a/c wouldn't cool. But I actually figured that one out and it seems to be holding pressure now. Now I have the stoopid belt making noise. It has nearly always squeaked at startup but quieted down once warmed up, but now it is almost gone while warm and at idle but really gets going when accelerating or maintaining speed. So I think I will get a stethoscope and see if I can narrow it down.
On the more minor side I have replaced the stereo and speakers and added a powered bazooka, and replaced the gas supports on the rear door. I put the 175lbs ones on and my wife "loves" them. Also I bought a bluetooth OBDII adaptor on amazon and have been using the Torque app on my Droid, this solution works so much better than running to autozone every time, and for only $25.
Anyway I have been lurking for a while now and thought I would join officially. Looking forward to picking brains.
Eamon