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1999 Nissan Pathfinder - SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT on Can't Get Passed INspection


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gibsgoinpro
New User

Jun 27, 2014, 11:54 PM

Post #1 of 6 (3218 views)
1999 Nissan Pathfinder - SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT on Can't Get Passed INspection Sign In

Hey Folks,

I Believe when the guy changed the VALVE COVER GASKET that when he was messing around in the engine he triggered something or didn't put things back correctly and it made my SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT come on and it's been on ever since. The SEL was not on ever before that and when I bought the car.

Real quick I'll explain the situation. I Bought the car used about 5-6 years ago. When I bought it, after a while I noticed a oil burning smell in engine. Took it to a friend of my dads friend and he changed the VALVE COVER GASKET. Important note to this is that when I bought the car and before I took it to this guy, my SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT was NOT on nor had never been on.

So when I go to pick up the car and start to leave, I notice that the SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT is on and is staying on. I tell the guy but he does nothing to make it right which was total bullSh!t. I guess I would have had to take him to court or something and who wants to do that crap. I was ignorant and young and did not know how serious this was to get an inspection.

THe past four years, I have taken my car every year to a mechanic to illegally I guess turn the light off with a computer then I drive the car a while and come back and he checks and I get it inspected. Well this year I couldn't do that and took it to like 6 mechanics and no one would do it. So I took it the shop with best reputation in town and they hooked up to their expensive comuter and replace EVG SOLENOID I believe it is called. Well, the next day after I got the car back, the SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT came back on. THe shop told me to bring it back Monday but I have hardly any faith in mechanics actually fixing it right the first time and honoring what they say. It cost around $300 for that.

Based on that, can someone please tell me what I should do or what it could be??


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 28, 2014, 12:18 AM

Post #2 of 6 (3210 views)
Re: 1999 Nissan Pathfinder - SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT on Can't Get Passed INspection Sign In

First move is to calm down! The light on means a code is waiting with a # so please post that. That tells of what circuit is noticed with a problem NOT what to replace and seems all these folks don't quite get that yet that have looked at it.


If all was just fine before new valve cover gaskets it just might be something to do with that job or a coincidence and I'm not going there but the fix or problem hasn't been diagnosed. I personally would look at where work was done and what would be removed to do that job looking for something unplugged or pinched at a glance first.


You are the one who ignored this leak for 5-6 years you just said so what bee got in your bonnet to do it now? It may not have been the gasket for all I know.


Some valve cover (or other) leaks like that are from just being a worn engine, excessive blow-by or neglect - can't say diddle for sure without some checking. If with valve cover off it looked all sludgy there's no telling what other problems lurk.


Get codes read now and post the #s. Take a look for the obvious and go from there,


T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jun 28, 2014, 2:24 AM

Post #3 of 6 (3185 views)
Re: 1999 Nissan Pathfinder - SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT on Can't Get Passed INspection Sign In

I agree that you should find out what trouble code is being stored and write the number down. Then let us know. You can't prove the last guy that did the valve cover repair triggered the code to appear.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


gibsgoinpro
New User

Jun 29, 2014, 1:31 PM

Post #4 of 6 (3155 views)
Re: 1999 Nissan Pathfinder - SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT on Can't Get Passed INspection Sign In

These are the codes I got from O'Reilly's Auto Parts the day before I took it to the shop that changed the EVG Solenoid

P0400

Code Definition: EGR System Recirculation Flow

P1440

Code Definition: EVAP Canister System Small Leak (0.040) Detected

Reason I waited 5-6 years and am doing it now I explained in my post that I was able to pass my inspection every year before because my old mechanic would illegally turn the light off and I would get it inspected. He retired so I can't take it to him anymore and I could find no other mechanic to do it for me. The day I went around the county trying to get a mechanic to do that this month for this years inspection is when I went to O'Reilly's and got these codes. The car has ran fine so far since 5-6 years ago when light came on so I haven't went to get it fixed and the problem is getting it inspected so I can get my tag every year. Also, as I also explained in my first post, it's pretty simple logic to realize that the light came on whenever the guy fixed the Valve Cover Gasket. THe light was never on ever before that and when I went to pick my car up because he called and said he had fixed the valve gasket, I get in the car and crank to leave and the service engine light is on. I don't see that as just coincedence.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 29, 2014, 2:01 PM

Post #5 of 6 (3151 views)
Re: 1999 Nissan Pathfinder - SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT on Can't Get Passed INspection Sign In

Not sure what to suggest for now. Here in MA if a CEL is shut off or battery disconnected those cars will be rejected for inspection as "not ready" light or no light kinda like the vehicle has to say it's all fine and the inspection is actually printed thru the DMV with the info live on line so no room to cheat and now you don't know what that was warning of or do you?


If valve cover leaked as mentioned it could suggest pressure instead of slight vacuum in all areas that a PCV would remove vapors and pressure push out thru weak gaskets, acidic vapor and problems all over but could take time. Sludge likely wasn't noted.


The fix may have triggered other controls because that one is now fixed - maybe? IDK for sure now. If now vacuum controlled items throughout are now getting proper vacuum from this repair they may be clogged and can't perform or adjust to situations by the nanosecond back to why it had a code to begin with so long ago.


If oils were pushed back into vacuum hoses they may have failed or leak and codes are possibly just telling what doesn't work properly now.


Not sure why you've had the trouble with the person or shop that did the gasket job which may have been just fine.


Perhaps just look for lousy vacuum lines either split or too soft to hold and look for sludge thru oil filler cap and on dipstick for a basic idea if that is part of the game now.


IDK but would check at vacuum canister is oil is in the lines there and pick a plan if found on the correction. Resetting that CEL for a sticker is coming back to haunt this now IMO,


T



kev2
Veteran
kev2 profile image

Jun 29, 2014, 2:27 PM

Post #6 of 6 (3146 views)
Re: 1999 Nissan Pathfinder - SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT on Can't Get Passed INspection Sign In

P0400
start at hthe EGR solenoid valve (EGRC) - check for 12v, vacuum, one wire is 12v the other is ground.


P1440
EVAP system- a pressure leak when the system tests EVAP system- No#1 foot note- use only a NISSAN gas cap-
otherwise there isa a diagnostic tree - looking at hoses and related valves.






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