I'm not the dumbest guy in the world, but frequently just having an example of what to do, and that it CAN be done, is all that one needs to get a job completed. I could have probably figured this out, and offline I have a NAS with the Nissan Pathfinder Service Manuals in PDF format that I got from Nissan, but your video looks like it'll save me the time & effort to bring that thing back online. Thanks a bunch. You have made the world a better place with your video. The car only loses 50 ml of oil when you change the filter? Oh, and one more thing, just knowing what tool to use, and you stating which tool to use is a BIG DEAL. THANK YOU. I just worked on my neighbor's car as a favor, a 1959 Ford Thunderbird, and 7/8s of my time spent was just finding the correct tool. That might sound strange, but that was the nature of the repair.
Thanks for your video. I changed my oil cooler seals today on my 2004 Pathfinder today. It took about 45 minutes and now my leak seems to have stopped. I also changed my oil once l was certain my leak was fixed. I followed your video and it was very helpful. Thank You.
Thanks for making this video. I have a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada. This will be my first time replace the rings & the engine oil cooler. I am nervous & doing this by myself but I am a tough single Mom & have learned to be a mechanic as well. I CAN do this!
You're replacing "rings?" You do know that replacing "rings" requires you to remove and tear down the entire engine. Listing the need to work on the engine oil cooler would be considered barely incidental to that project, given the huge disparity in time, money, & effort between the two repairs. You aren't calling O-rings "rings," are you? I hope not, because "rings" are a distinct item, different from, and separate from, O-rings. If you are calling O-rings "rings," stop it. While O-rings are indeed "rings," they are not called by that name.
Your video is a great guide when I did this. That bolt is a PITA to get back in after putting the new o-ring on the oil cooler. Very tight space but the ratchet wrench (you can get at Harbor Freight tools cheap!) really does the trick in that tight of a space. I drained the oil first because I decided to do an oil change while fixing it not too much of a mess. It was a pain trying to get the new o-ring in because of tight space. My tips: Use the wrench he told you to in video. I would drain the oil (might as well change it even if it's coming due soon) Use a pick set (cheap at Harbor freight) to remove the o-ring/gasket. Saves time and frustration in tight space. Use latex glove and have shop towels. It's messy. Get a nice probing tool that you can get something absorbent with to clean out the inside a bit that's gunked up before placing new o-ring/gasket in. Also probably some nice grippy pliers that can get into a tight spot to get the bolt back will save you time and frustration too!
Thanks a ton dude. Mine started leaking oil last week and I thought I just didn't tighten my filter enough, lo and behold the cooler is leaking. I was freaking out about how hard it'd be to fix it myself even being an up and coming mechanic and how much it'd cost to just let a shop do it. Didn't think it was this easy. Now I know this weekend's little project
Thank you posting this video. I have a 2002 pathfinder with a 3.5 V-6 that has this same oil leak issue. You saved me many hours and money. I wil order parts and fix over the week end.
Thank you so much found the same issue with my 2002 Nissan Pathfinder earlier today. With the help of your video and a few Nissan forums at least now I know what I'm dealing with really appreciate videos like this and people that take the time to do them God bless you and thanks again
THANK YOU, same exact issue on my 2003 Pathfinder. This video helped me immensely - and thanks to you it's all fixed for under $20. I did go to my local dealer for the gasket and o-ring, as I read on a few other forums that after market units for this job either weren't the right size or leaked again soon after.
Thanks for the video 20 minute job. It was very helpful to get the part numbers for a customer. I did the gasket changes today but didn't have a ratchet socket that would fit in the tight space so I tightened it with an 11/16's ratcheting wrench while it was running a full turn after it didn't leak which is about 28lb to 32lb torque. Thanks for the video.
I just did this o ring change on my 2001Pathfinder LE 3.5. I had the same ratchet and I had torqued it down by hand since my ratchet didn't fit in there. Since he didn't show it, the ring goes on the second ring from the outside. My last ring was crimped in two points which is why it leaked. Finally fixed now. Also, I did not replace the smaller o ring since it was not the source of the leak, will update on this, and everything looks good so far. I just let it run for 10 minutes or so and ill top up the oil in the morning.
This problem in this video is the most common oil leak problem but 2nd to that is your valve cover gasket. If that's not it check your oil pan gasket, your oil pan plug/bolt, your oil plug/bolt crush washer. Other areas to check are your engines front main seal & rear main seal which you may have to live with but you may try using an additive you can put in with an oil change AT-205 Reseal. It's a good product and may fix the rear/front main seal leaks or at least reduce leak but sometimes the leak could be so bad that it won't help. Good luck!
@@shaggysmoothie85 WOW! Your response listing the #2, #3, #4, oil leak suspects is just as valuable as the information in this video listing the #1 oil leak spot. THANKS!!! My first instinct was it was valve cover gasket, because I didn't know what that UFO-looking thing was, being that it looked no oil cooler I'd ever seen. I'm 80% certain I'm leaking oil from the #1 suspect: oil cooler gasket.
I was told my oil cooler is leaking coolant Can I use blue devil to seal the leak? All so I just got it back from the shop and oil cooler light is on now and brake light along wit the battery light just got the shop to put a new alternator on it Took it to auto a one had the battery and alternator tested guy said there good do I know how o can get the lights to turn off?
Where is the oil pressure switch on my 2002 pathfinder LE 3.5 L V6 I've been googling for hours and just garbage shows up.. so frustrsting. Have you removed and replaced one? How much was it... how long did it take to replace... what was the part number....Did it solve the oil pressure light in your dash.... is there a second oil pressure switch for the auto trans and if so how do you tell the difference Thanks
+Steven Oropeza Mine is a 3.5L as well, but I think the 2001 oil cooler may behind the oil filter itself just based on me watching other videos trying to find one of my specific year. However you would just need to look under and see if you can the see the oil cooler off by itself like it is in my video.
open O ring on the back not in front because of you don't have room on the front It took couples me hours to figure it out then later took 10 minutes to replace it Just let your guys know that
Hi! Thanks for the video. My cooler is leaking too but it's completely covered so hard to see from where. Do you recommend me to change only the o-rings or everything. Thanks
Yep I had to replace my alternator today and could see that where the oil is leaking and my 4x4 drive shaft slinging it into the alternator caused it to fail. Also the passenger side valve cover gasket leaking right onto the starter caused it to fail. Replaced it last year. My Radiator is cracked on top that's next. It's leaking blowing coolant onto my coil pack
You'z got yourself a few projects to tackle. The radiator in my 2003 Pathfinder failed 15 years ago when I had maybe 40,000 miles on the car. Consider yourself luckier than many.
I've got an '04 Pathfinder with the same issue. Oil leak/spray/drip pattern is basically exactly the same as what your video shows. I've got my o-rings from Nissan and was curious: does anything need drained (oil, coolant) before a person replaces these? I'd hate to crawl up under this thing to do this only to be sprayed by either liquid. I'm not really concerned with a tiny bit of drippage, but rather numerous quarts of anything coming out when I go to do this. I don't know if this is the only problem my Pathfinder has, as it's used an entire 5 quarts of oil over 1400 miles (I changed the oil to high milage synthetic (5w30) as soon as I bought it), but it is most definitely leaking from there as it does drip.. I guess we'll find out, hah.
I honestly can't remember if i drained the oil pan before i did this!! I do not think I did, but have a oil pan ready just in case :) there was just a little bit of oil that came out, but not much. If i recall the cooler sits higher than the pan so you shouldn't get a lot. as long as you don't unhook the coolant hoses, leaking coolant won't be an issue. Definitely buy the OEM Nissan gaskets as there has been fitment issues with the aftermarket rings. they are not terribly expense - certainly less than the oil that leaks out.
I think I have this same problem on my 03 pathfinder SE gonna try to fix it today ran it with low oil several times because it keeps leaking. Just tired of it
It happened again this morning the oil level was fine yesterday and it leaked nearly all the oil from when I drove home yesterday to now. I think it gets worse if you go above 50mph. I don't know if my engine has this cooler or if I damaged my engine.
@@WillB-lv1xg same generation pathfinders all have the 3.5L VQ, so yes it would have the same located oil cooler. Try replacing the oil cooler o rings as indicated in the video. Then go from there. My rule of thumb when trying to diagnose a car problem is starting with replacing the cheap parts first.
No. If you watch the video, he clearly says he did not have to remove those two hoses. Remove the center bolt and the cooler comes loose. Replace o-rings and then bolt. Torque to spec. Done.
@@montyhuff8278 About 45 minutes. That's from never having done it before and following the video instructions. If I was to do it again I think I could do it in 20 minutes or less
Ok! So i just changed my O rings Piece of cake but little to no knuckle room. Didnt remove coolant lines Ratcheting box wrench would be helpful, i did not have. BEWARE , felpro ( carquest,napa, etc)aftermarket O ring was unacceptable in size. Lucky nissan next town over had it on shelf. I suggest just go nissan. Same part numbers as video . Will give it 24 hours and see if she leaks- Thanks again!
+shortCUT207 I keep meaning to update the description of the video. After changing the seals, I noticed that I needed to power wash underneath as there was still a lot of old oil that would drip off. I am now without any further leaks nearly 5 months later. I'm glad it helped you. Yes it is a fairly tight area to get at, I agree a ratcheting box wrench is the way to go.
I'm not the dumbest guy in the world, but frequently just having an example of what to do, and that it CAN be done, is all that one needs to get a job completed. I could have probably figured this out, and offline I have a NAS with the Nissan Pathfinder Service Manuals in PDF format that I got from Nissan, but your video looks like it'll save me the time & effort to bring that thing back online. Thanks a bunch. You have made the world a better place with your video. The car only loses 50 ml of oil when you change the filter? Oh, and one more thing, just knowing what tool to use, and you stating which tool to use is a BIG DEAL. THANK YOU. I just worked on my neighbor's car as a favor, a 1959 Ford Thunderbird, and 7/8s of my time spent was just finding the correct tool. That might sound strange, but that was the nature of the repair.
Thanks for your video. I changed my oil cooler seals today on my 2004 Pathfinder today. It took about 45 minutes and now my leak seems to have stopped. I also changed my oil once l was certain my leak was fixed. I followed your video and it was very helpful. Thank You.
I have a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder, it is leaking coolant into the engine oil, could it be mixing it from the oil cooler? 0:01
Thanks for making this video. I have a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada. This will be my first time replace the rings & the engine oil cooler. I am nervous & doing this by myself but I am a tough single Mom & have learned to be a mechanic as well. I CAN do this!
You're replacing "rings?" You do know that replacing "rings" requires you to remove and tear down the entire engine. Listing the need to work on the engine oil cooler would be considered barely incidental to that project, given the huge disparity in time, money, & effort between the two repairs. You aren't calling O-rings "rings," are you? I hope not, because "rings" are a distinct item, different from, and separate from, O-rings. If you are calling O-rings "rings," stop it. While O-rings are indeed "rings," they are not called by that name.
Your video is a great guide when I did this. That bolt is a PITA to get back in after putting the new o-ring on the oil cooler. Very tight space but the ratchet wrench (you can get at Harbor Freight tools cheap!) really does the trick in that tight of a space. I drained the oil first because I decided to do an oil change while fixing it not too much of a mess. It was a pain trying to get the new o-ring in because of tight space.
My tips:
Use the wrench he told you to in video.
I would drain the oil (might as well change it even if it's coming due soon)
Use a pick set (cheap at Harbor freight) to remove the o-ring/gasket. Saves time and frustration in tight space.
Use latex glove and have shop towels. It's messy.
Get a nice probing tool that you can get something absorbent with to clean out the inside a bit that's gunked up before placing new o-ring/gasket in.
Also probably some nice grippy pliers that can get into a tight spot to get the bolt back will save you time and frustration too!
Well played Sir! Confident to do this myself now after viewing your excellent video. Thanks for posting.
Thanks a ton dude. Mine started leaking oil last week and I thought I just didn't tighten my filter enough, lo and behold the cooler is leaking. I was freaking out about how hard it'd be to fix it myself even being an up and coming mechanic and how much it'd cost to just let a shop do it. Didn't think it was this easy. Now I know this weekend's little project
Thank you posting this video. I have a 2002 pathfinder with a 3.5 V-6 that has this same oil leak issue. You saved me many hours and money. I wil order parts and fix over the week end.
+D Whee Glad it helped you!
Thank you so much found the same issue with my 2002 Nissan Pathfinder earlier today. With the help of your video and a few Nissan forums at least now I know what I'm dealing with really appreciate videos like this and people that take the time to do them God bless you and thanks again
THANK YOU, same exact issue on my 2003 Pathfinder. This video helped me immensely - and thanks to you it's all fixed for under $20. I did go to my local dealer for the gasket and o-ring, as I read on a few other forums that after market units for this job either weren't the right size or leaked again soon after.
Thanks for the video 20 minute job. It was very helpful to get the part numbers for a customer. I did the gasket changes today but didn't have a ratchet socket that would fit in the tight space so I tightened it with an 11/16's ratcheting wrench while it was running a full turn after it didn't leak which is about 28lb to 32lb torque. Thanks for the video.
You just help me to understand, why I couldn't find the oil cooler gasket it's not under the filter on my 2000 Xterra. Thanks
I did my repair after watching the video. Big help. Thank you very much.
I just did this o ring change on my 2001Pathfinder LE 3.5. I had the same ratchet and I had torqued it down by hand since my ratchet didn't fit in there. Since he didn't show it, the ring goes on the second ring from the outside. My last ring was crimped in two points which is why it leaked. Finally fixed now. Also, I did not replace the smaller o ring since it was not the source of the leak, will update on this, and everything looks good so far. I just let it run for 10 minutes or so and ill top up the oil in the morning.
Any updates?
My 2003 Pathfinder is loosing oil 😮 are there other places that I should check for oil leaks?
Thanks
This problem in this video is the most common oil leak problem but 2nd to that is your valve cover gasket. If that's not it check your oil pan gasket, your oil pan plug/bolt, your oil plug/bolt crush washer. Other areas to check are your engines front main seal & rear main seal which you may have to live with but you may try using an additive you can put in with an oil change AT-205 Reseal. It's a good product and may fix the rear/front main seal leaks or at least reduce leak but sometimes the leak could be so bad that it won't help. Good luck!
@@shaggysmoothie85 WOW! Your response listing the #2, #3, #4, oil leak suspects is just as valuable as the information in this video listing the #1 oil leak spot. THANKS!!! My first instinct was it was valve cover gasket, because I didn't know what that UFO-looking thing was, being that it looked no oil cooler I'd ever seen. I'm 80% certain I'm leaking oil from the #1 suspect: oil cooler gasket.
Excellent video, thanks for sharing!
no the infinty have the same one they all got the same motor,,,u did a good job on the video thanks ..........
I was told my oil cooler is leaking coolant Can I use blue devil to seal the leak? All so I just got it back from the shop and oil cooler light is on now and brake light along wit the battery light just got the shop to put a new alternator on it Took it to auto a one had the battery and alternator tested guy said there good do I know how o can get the lights to turn off?
very good video thanks.. it helped me out alot...have a good day.
Tough small space job but you described n spoke it looks not to bad of a job. Thnx n nice vid !
Where is the oil pressure switch on my 2002 pathfinder LE
3.5 L V6
I've been googling for hours and just garbage shows up.. so frustrsting.
Have you removed and replaced one?
How much was it... how long did it take to replace... what was the part number....Did it solve the oil pressure light in your dash.... is there a second oil pressure switch for the auto trans and if so how do you tell the difference
Thanks
Thanks for making the video. Help me alot
what size engine???? I have a 2001 Pathfinder with a 3.5 liter having the same issue..
+Steven Oropeza Mine is a 3.5L as well, but I think the 2001 oil cooler may behind the oil filter itself just based on me watching other videos trying to find one of my specific year. However you would just need to look under and see if you can the see the oil cooler off by itself like it is in my video.
Is this the same part number and process as the 2002 qx4 with the 3.5?
As long as it’s a 3.5L then yes
Are there different size replacement o-rings even if its a 3.5? Cause the one i got from oriellys. Would not seat properly inside the cooler??
@@georico6282 there should only be 2 different size o-rings, one smaller (near the bolt) and one bigger on the other side of the actual cooler.
open O ring on the back not in front because of you don't have room on the front It took couples me hours to figure it out then later took 10 minutes to replace it Just let your guys know that
Hi! Thanks for the video. My cooler is leaking too but it's completely covered so hard to see from where. Do you recommend me to change only the o-rings or everything. Thanks
I would just change the 2 rings 1st
Very helpful
Been watching mine leak as well
04 path se
Ill check oil pressure switch as well
Yep I had to replace my alternator today and could see that where the oil is leaking and my 4x4 drive shaft slinging it into the alternator caused it to fail. Also the passenger side valve cover gasket leaking right onto the starter caused it to fail. Replaced it last year. My Radiator is cracked on top that's next. It's leaking blowing coolant onto my coil pack
You'z got yourself a few projects to tackle. The radiator in my 2003 Pathfinder failed 15 years ago when I had maybe 40,000 miles on the car. Consider yourself luckier than many.
@@salvadormonella8953 I'm at 272k
help! oil cooler is installed on passenger side?
Yes the oil cooler is on the passenger side
I've got an '04 Pathfinder with the same issue. Oil leak/spray/drip pattern is basically exactly the same as what your video shows.
I've got my o-rings from Nissan and was curious: does anything need drained (oil, coolant) before a person replaces these? I'd hate to crawl up under this thing to do this only to be sprayed by either liquid.
I'm not really concerned with a tiny bit of drippage, but rather numerous quarts of anything coming out when I go to do this.
I don't know if this is the only problem my Pathfinder has, as it's used an entire 5 quarts of oil over 1400 miles (I changed the oil to high milage synthetic (5w30) as soon as I bought it), but it is most definitely leaking from there as it does drip.. I guess we'll find out, hah.
I honestly can't remember if i drained the oil pan before i did this!! I do not think I did, but have a oil pan ready just in case :) there was just a little bit of oil that came out, but not much. If i recall the cooler sits higher than the pan so you shouldn't get a lot. as long as you don't unhook the coolant hoses, leaking coolant won't be an issue.
Definitely buy the OEM Nissan gaskets as there has been fitment issues with the aftermarket rings. they are not terribly expense - certainly less than the oil that leaks out.
I think I have this same problem on my 03 pathfinder SE gonna try to fix it today ran it with low oil several times because it keeps leaking. Just tired of it
It happened again this morning the oil level was fine yesterday and it leaked nearly all the oil from when I drove home yesterday to now. I think it gets worse if you go above 50mph. I don't know if my engine has this cooler or if I damaged my engine.
Did you figure it out, I have a similar problem
@@WillB-lv1xg same generation pathfinders all have the 3.5L VQ, so yes it would have the same located oil cooler. Try replacing the oil cooler o rings as indicated in the video. Then go from there. My rule of thumb when trying to diagnose a car problem is starting with replacing the cheap parts first.
Hey Jed......just curious if this fixed your problem.
tgleaton - yes no more oil leak!
Did you have to drain the coolant?
No. If you watch the video, he clearly says he did not have to remove those two hoses. Remove the center bolt and the cooler comes loose. Replace o-rings and then bolt. Torque to spec. Done.
Incredible, thanks!!
What are the part numbers
Gphillimo part numbers are 21334- 30f0a that's for the small gasket
the big gasket part number is 21304 - JK 20a
That's directly from nissan
@@montyhuff8278 Yeah I figured it out and already installed them. Thanks
@@gphillimo how long did it take you
@@montyhuff8278 About 45 minutes. That's from never having done it before and following the video instructions.
If I was to do it again I think I could do it in 20 minutes or less
My 2003 just started leaking oil. looks like the same place. thanks!
I hope you got on that. Waiting will not make it leak any less oil.
My qx4 has been doing this for years. I just keep dumping more oil in but it makes a mess in the driveway, it’s about time I fix it.
just got my o-rings, I'm about to break up with this oil leak, it's been a toxic relationship, lol.
Ok! So i just changed my O rings
Piece of cake but little to no knuckle room. Didnt remove coolant lines
Ratcheting box wrench would be helpful, i did not have. BEWARE , felpro ( carquest,napa, etc)aftermarket O ring was unacceptable in size. Lucky nissan next town over had it on shelf. I suggest just go nissan. Same part numbers as video . Will give it 24 hours and see if she leaks-
Thanks again!
+shortCUT207 I keep meaning to update the description of the video. After changing the seals, I noticed that I needed to power wash underneath as there was still a lot of old oil that would drip off. I am now without any further leaks nearly 5 months later. I'm glad it helped you. Yes it is a fairly tight area to get at, I agree a ratcheting box wrench is the way to go.
i got a 2002 qx4 infinty they all the same...
i'm not sure about the 2002. some oil coolers are behind the oil filter.
Thanks man..
Question: do I need to drain the oil in order to do that?
Thank you
You do not, I’m literally in the middle of doing this right now. You’ll loose about 1quart.
You don't but if u don't want a mess change the o-ring/gasket when you're doing an oil change after you drain oil.