1997 Nissan Pathfinder rough start and oil leak

MJBSULLIVAN

MEMBER
1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
194,000 MILES

Hi. I have a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder 3.3 engine. It has been leaking oil slowly for a few months and I have had to fill the coolant 3 times in the past 4 weeks. When it is cold outside it starts really rough and is not driveable until it warms up. I took it to the mechanic and he replaced the idle air control valve (thermo element) but we are still having trouble with it starting rough. He was not clear with the oil leak. Thought it might be from a valve cover gasket but I felt he was rushed and really didn't spend much time diagnosing. The codes pulled were P0446 (evap vent), P0325 (knock sensor), P0303 (misfire in 3rd cylinder) and P0440 (evap sensor). Can you think of anything that could be causing the oil leak and the coolant issue/rough start or do you think they are separate issues? And if so, any ideas?

1 Reply

CRAIGSS1013

MEMBER
23 POSTS

About the rough start, I assume it has a composite intake? Everyone always says its the (IAC VALVE). I recommend getting a can of carb/choke cleaner, while motor is cold and running spray cleaner around the mating surfaces of intake/motor if rpm raises you have bad intake gaskets and being that year I give it a good rating. On the coolant, is the oil light brown or milky in color? Is the oil level rising? If so, your coolant is leaking into the oil possible bad head gasket, also have spark plugs pulled out and note their location, check plugs, do any plugs look clean compared to the rest? Bad head gasket. Coolant burns as a steam so in essence the plug will look brand new.