I am sick over this. I've been changing my oil/filter every 3000-3500mi on this GDI VQ35DD since I bought our 2019 Pathfinder used in 2019 w/25K miles on it. I've been active on BITOG with anything Nissan, CVT and VQ35DD related and a big proponent of frequent engine oil changes, CVT fluid changes, T-case, rear diff fluid changes, etc.
A week back at ~103K miles, I noticed our Pathfinder making a metallic rattle, scraping, chirping noise on cold start. Sounds like marbles in a tin can. My heart sank. I quickly popped the hood for a listen, but the noise gradually faded away. On the next cold start I was sure to be ready with the hood up. Same noise. I listened carefully with my long screwdriver calibrated listening device and the noise seemed to be more from the alternator, a/c compressor or idler/tensioner. The noise is also much louder through the front right wheel well than from up top in the engine bay.
Pressed for time the whole week, I was able to get in a few days later at a local auto repair shop that I use and trust. He called me with the dreaded news at the end of the day that the noise is coming from under the timing cover. It's a possible chain, guide or tensioner problem. He doesn't want to take on this type of job, but he would try to fit me in if I chose to. This is a 1-2 man, very busy shop, that does excellent work reasonably. He quotes via Mitchell. His rough estimate was about $2150, baring no other issues in the process.
Knowing what I know about this particular 2017+ engine, having been active on a Pathfinder board the past 4-5yrs, I'm not fixing this. There could be metal running through the engine and there is likely sludge built up in there regardless of my crazy amount of maintenance. I'm dumping it and running for something without a VQ35DD. This is such a shame given we love our Pathfinder. It's been totally reliable for us. At ~103K miles, it needs other things and has some other clunks and rattles at this point anyway. The risk with these engines is just too great IMO. I get it and accept that mechanical things fail, but Nissan really messed up with this specific engine. If you poke around, there's thread after thread of excessive sludging and timing chain problems with VQ35DDs, where the VQ35DE port injected version was stone reliable.
I still like Nissan products in general and still recommend them for their driving dynamics, comfort and value. I like all their 4cyl engines and love the VQ40DE and the 35DE engines. I've got the VQ38DD in my 2022 Frontier that is awesome so far. All I can do is hope it doesn't go the way of the 35DD.
A week back at ~103K miles, I noticed our Pathfinder making a metallic rattle, scraping, chirping noise on cold start. Sounds like marbles in a tin can. My heart sank. I quickly popped the hood for a listen, but the noise gradually faded away. On the next cold start I was sure to be ready with the hood up. Same noise. I listened carefully with my long screwdriver calibrated listening device and the noise seemed to be more from the alternator, a/c compressor or idler/tensioner. The noise is also much louder through the front right wheel well than from up top in the engine bay.
Pressed for time the whole week, I was able to get in a few days later at a local auto repair shop that I use and trust. He called me with the dreaded news at the end of the day that the noise is coming from under the timing cover. It's a possible chain, guide or tensioner problem. He doesn't want to take on this type of job, but he would try to fit me in if I chose to. This is a 1-2 man, very busy shop, that does excellent work reasonably. He quotes via Mitchell. His rough estimate was about $2150, baring no other issues in the process.
Knowing what I know about this particular 2017+ engine, having been active on a Pathfinder board the past 4-5yrs, I'm not fixing this. There could be metal running through the engine and there is likely sludge built up in there regardless of my crazy amount of maintenance. I'm dumping it and running for something without a VQ35DD. This is such a shame given we love our Pathfinder. It's been totally reliable for us. At ~103K miles, it needs other things and has some other clunks and rattles at this point anyway. The risk with these engines is just too great IMO. I get it and accept that mechanical things fail, but Nissan really messed up with this specific engine. If you poke around, there's thread after thread of excessive sludging and timing chain problems with VQ35DDs, where the VQ35DE port injected version was stone reliable.
I still like Nissan products in general and still recommend them for their driving dynamics, comfort and value. I like all their 4cyl engines and love the VQ40DE and the 35DE engines. I've got the VQ38DD in my 2022 Frontier that is awesome so far. All I can do is hope it doesn't go the way of the 35DD.
Last edited:
