[Sartorius]

Been reading as much info as I could over the past week. Just bought a 2005 4x4 Auto 4door short box Frontier today. Its an US import with 130miles, 4door (believe thats a US crew cab?) Was pleased to see previous owner had done the RAD/Tran delete already, but does not have an addition aftermarket cooler yet.

Also it has the low pressure at idle issue, which seems to very from "thats normal" to "don't drive it". The previous owner thought it was the pressure sensor. It also needs an oil change so i'm going to start there, I have ordered a switch off ebay. I got a K&N filter as some said that could fix it, or should I stick with OEM Nissan filter? Also oil wise I grabbed 5-40 synthetic, wise or am I asking for trouble? If these don't work then sounds like it could be the rear Timing chain cover gasket at which point its a bigger job?

 

[Sartorius]

So I ordered a oil pressure testing kit and hooked it up today. I noticed some gasket maker on the oil pressure sending unit as I was removing it, imagine the previous owner had been trying to chase down the issue too. Anyways much to my dismay once warmed up my idle was around 8 psi and at 2K rpm 30ish. Factory spec is 14 and 42. I am going to try a OEM nissan oil filter and see if that helps at all but I am already shopping around for rear timing cover gaskets, seems as though a number of aftermarket performance places are making them, EPS Tuning Oil Gallery Gasket/Hardware Kit VQ40DE

EPS Tuning Oil Gallery Gasket/Hardware Kit

Seems like a good deal and better quality. Also while in there I figure doing the timing chain kit, water pump and maybe the rad since its original (130 miles)

Anyone have experience with this gasket or have any tips for me?

 

[Sabretooth]

Here's another vote for NO I wouldn't drive it till I knew what it is. Have you got any codes? have you confirmed the pressure and that it isn't the gauge itself, sending unit or a short. After purchasing my frontier I've done a lot of reading on this engine there is something I came across here is the article and from what I read on it it kinda goes with what your experiencing it states its not just as cheap as a gasket but purchasing a whole new cover

https://www.motor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/4_FOREIGN_SERVICE_0116.pdf


I'm subscribed to follow your progress

 

[Zedbra]

I haven't done any of this work, wish I could help. Interested to see if you can track it down.

 

[Sartorius]

Sabretooth. Only codes I have are p0420 and p0430 for the Cat's. I thought(hoped) it was the sending unit gauge too but I got a mechanical gauge tester and pulled the oil sender switch thats how I got the readings. I'm going to try the OEM nissan filter next with 5-30w oil (thought about going to 5-40 syntec), but I really doubt the difference of a ac delco and oem filter would bring up 5-6 psi. If you follow the link i provided they sell just a gasket for the timing cover rather than having to buy the whole thing from nissan. I'm hoping that I can get all the parts with timing kit for less than 300$ and have my mechanic friend help me put it all in. If I can get in and out for 500$ I still have a great deal for the price I paid for the truck.

Keep you all posted, but would appreciate advice from anyone who's had the lower pressure issue or even the timing chain whine

 

[shift_RUSH]

Hoping poster smj999smj will chime in on this one.

 

[utahfrontieroverlander]

Hey @Sartorius wondering if you were able to solve it, I am having the exact same issue. Bought the replacement parts and I am in the process of removing all the parts to get to those gaskets. Pretty scary job for a home mechanic. I just hope this fixes my low oil pressure problem.

 

[smj999smj]

It's a fairly well-known issue on both the VQ40DE and VQ35DE engines. It usually fixes the low oil pressure at idle issue. The biggest problem that occurs when doing this job is that the bolts will jamb-up when trying to remove them and either won't come out all of the way or will come out and damage the threads in the rear timing cover, requiring replacement of the rear cover. Some of the gasket kits will even come with a new set of bolts.