How Have My Mechanical Changes Held Up Over The Years? (Part 2)

[@ryankazmierczak448]

Thanks for the Mechanical videos on the Xterra! I own a 2015 Pro-4x and greatly appreciate your expertise!

[@Rythecarguy]

Glad to help! Thank YOU for the very generous super thanks. Anything you would like to see happen to the X?

[@ryankazmierczak448]

@@Rythecarguy Hello! I'd say carry on as if you're normal Ry....or Maybe a winch setup with aluminum off road bumper would be deadly if the front springs are up to snuff! 😁

[@Rythecarguy]

Ohhh, that sounds nice. I have been keeping my eye out for bumpers but that are brutally expensive. If I can get one I will. 💪🏼

[@wellnessotr]

❤ I want to support him, too! But, first I need to pay my bills. 😢

[@gpzjeffrey7974]

My 2008 has about 160K miles on it. It's my daily driver in the winter. Starts every time. I haven't even replaced the spark plugs or cleaned intake / MAF sensor yet! Nothing but oil filters and brakes so far, and yes, the hatch struts. Actually I'll do the spark plugs this week. The ONE major item that I did, which you haven't mentioned obviously since your's is a manual transmission was replacing the stock radiator. With the automatic transmission, these could suffer from The SMOD. (Strawberry Milkshake Of Death), where the transmission cooler would spring a leak and coolant mixed with the ATF. I did the fan clutch and thermostat at that time.

[@dfallin3253]

hey rtcg - love the videos! just picked up an 06 and been spending lots of time underneath it. its a very base, off road model - manual windows and all - looks like you also have the no-cruise control model, would love to see if thats something that could be added without breaking the bank! i've looked at aftermarket and they're pretty costly ($350+), so i found a donor 06 at a junk yard that has it, is it as simple as pulling the parts and moving over? i think i read there's some reprogramming that needs to be done... makes me nervous

[@notthatlopez7280]

Thanks your videos are awesome. Keep up the great work.

[@Rythecarguy]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!!

[@MaximumDIYGarage]

Thank you for the updates, Ry! I have engine bay detail followed by valve cover gaskets, spark plug seals, spark plugs, and oil catch can job coming out soon!

[@Rythecarguy]

Oh heck yea! My engine needs a good clean 🧼

[@Corey7001]

Just picked up a 05 pathfinder. You're videos have been helpful great job man!

[@Rythecarguy]

My pleasure dude, thanks for watching. 🤘🏻

[@mypl510]

I did my valve covers today after watching your video! It is definitely not a rush job! LOL! Hope my fix last as long as yours! Next up, Lower A Arms and Brakes!

[@kentrosario4301]

my camshaft sensor went out again after 2 years! great video!

[@jbucker125]

I have a 02 Xterra do you have any comments about that series ? Btw I have 392,000 miles on it and still running great

[@stevengraebner9559]

Hey Ry, thanks for the update, I just found an issue with my “Aftermarket TRQ brand” Cooling fan clutch out of speck causing a load on the engine making the ECM compensate with an 1700 RPM idle every time I started the engine when cool. Replaced it with a Nissan OEM clutch (at twice the price but worth it) solved the idle problem and I’m getting better MPG.

[@Rythecarguy]

That's interesting. Did it do it as soon as you installed the clutch or did it die later?

[@TrumanSparx]

I’m a little bit surprised by all of the mechanical issues you’ve dealt with over the years. I’ve only had mine for four years but I haven’t had any of the mechanical problems that you’ve had with 246,000 km on my 2010 SE. The only mechanical thing I dealt with was a failing ignition coil.

[@Rythecarguy]

I think the first 10 years of its life it was very under maintained. That or I'm unlucky. 😅

[@georgelucas6720]

Ry, Question: Have you explored making your fog lights daytime running lights? I did it on my Miata, but the wiring must be different on my 2005 Xterra. If you figure out how to do it, please video the installation! Thanks! (And dangit, bring back the cool junkyard with the crow cawing in the background!!! lol)

[@mclehed77]

Niiice ry can't wait for the wheels n tires set up video

[@Rythecarguy]

Same here lol. One day!! I really want to pick up the new rims from All Dogs and size up so that means I would need to get the wheels and tires all at once. So easily 2 grand to do it. 😔 just need to bite the bullet one day.

[@bobstevenson4396]

Hi Ry. How many miles has it been since you have changed the secondary timing chain tensioner shoes? I have just finished changing mine (at 122,000 original miles) and note the replacements are a white plastic while the original were an orange colored plastic. Should I expect the replacements to last 122,000 miles like the original or do you believe the replacements are a superior material and should last longer? I did not change the original timing chains or primary guides so did not bother with TDC and just marked every chain position on all sprockets with a paint stick and reassembled everything as I had marked them. I also did not remove the starter to lock the flywheel to unbolt the crank pulley, I just locked the crank pulley in position with a chain vicegrip on a section of serpentine belt to protect the pulley surface while unbolting and rebolting on the retaining bolt. My engine is now running smoothly without the secondary guide chain noise.

[@bobstevenson4396]

Have you changed your lower ball joints? I am hear a low squeak from my driver side lower ball joint on the driver’s side of my 2008 4WD off road manual tranny Xterra. Are replacements available with grease fittings?

[@mikemorgan4670]

Good overview. What about the hydrolic hood struts? Or perhaps they ate on the Titan?

[@Rythecarguy]

Those are still great. I just unsalted them pretty recently so I wanted to give them more time to see how they last.

[@CoachCole71]

Great Video Ry! Gotta give us the run down on the subwoofer. I did a very similar build and I’m curious at how yours went. PS: Going to check my X to see if it has the fuel pump access 😅

[@Mriluigi]

My 2009 still runs okay but every time I shut off engine the blend door actuator make a clicking noise. Where is that located and is it easy to get to it? Thanks.

[@tylercorkum3569]

What type of upper control arm is best with this suspension lift kit you got?

[@Rythecarguy]

Honestly the one that ADO makes that is designed to go with the lift.

[@jeramygorman4274]

Damn man looks good looks as good mine with the black headlights even. bought a 06 last year with 80k miles no body rust. Makes me wonder what has or hasent been done to it. Definitely need to do the timing set though. Has the whine.

[@Rythecarguy]

Oh man, I don’t miss that job. It’s a pain but worth it.

[@axidhaus]

The black bezels are nice

[@Rythecarguy]

Thanks!

[@masonwestling6406]

When did you install the hood struts?

[@Rythecarguy]

Less than a year ago. Dont remember exactly.

[@robertogordon6713]

Hola amigo como me puedo comunicar contigo quisiera asesoría sobre mi xterra y veo que tu las conoces muy bien

[@wellnessotr]

Hey Ry, I was wondering if you had a “Car Gal” T shirt for sale. I saw the “Car Guy”, but, I’m a gal. 😊

[@axidhaus]

2005 1/2 does not have access hole 🕳 for fuel ⛽️ pump

[@Rythecarguy]

Makes me sad, didnt want to drop that tank lol.

[@jonathanellis6097]

I've never had any problems with aftermarket parts. I think the biggest problems come from poor fitting either by themselves or a garage. It's way easier to blame parts than to admit you messed up! There is also I think a lot of hate for aftermarket parts based on snobbery in the enthusiasts community. If it isn't bank breaking expensive it must be bad kind of attitude, and while the old adage "you get what you pay for" is sometimes true often times you are just getting ripped off.

[@Rythecarguy]

I'm with you on this. The only things I try to buy OEM are internal engine parts. And even only when it's not 10 times the cost of aftermarket.

[@gogatbilisigeorgia]

anyone knows How Those wheels are made? Made by forging method?

[@Rythecarguy]

My guess would be cast

[@ike621]

@3:30 and @3:36 in coming jinx's in 5... 4...

[@Rythecarguy]

Right!? Lol

[@GoodVibes-ck4jl]

You did a lot of work on it BUT also saved yourself $$$ doing it yourself

[@Rythecarguy]

Amen!

[@IG8282-q9h]

Fuel tank access port is only available on the Gen 1 Xterra, Gen 2s, the tank must be dropped.

[@Rythecarguy]

What an incredibly stupid thing to do between generations.

[@axidhaus]

Hitachi cam sensors

[@Rythecarguy]

Good brand

[@xc_4x4]

The timing chain is the one one job I most likely won't ever tackle. Im fine with running my xterra like that until the engine goes

[@Rythecarguy]

Yea I have heard people say it's just annoying but I never heard of any of them actually breaking.