DIY: Infiniti QX4 & Pathfinder Air Filter 2001-2003

How to remove and reinstall engine air filter for the Infiniti QX4 & Nissan Pathfinder R50

May apply to earlier model years. 

Steps:
Pop open the hood and locate the engine air filter box. The box is behind the driver side head light assembly.

Locate the clips and pop them open. Pull the tray holding the air filter out. Clips are highlighted in red.

Remove the air filter and put in the new one. The filter goes in one way with the rubber seal facing the driver.

 

Dirty air filter removed. 

 

Dirty and clean filter comparison.

Check your filter with every oil change and see if it is dirty and clogged. A dirty air filter results in lower performance and MPG loss. Changing the filter is super quick and a cheap way of making sure you get the most performance out of your car. 

K&N 33-2031-2 High Performance Replacement Air Filter is the best air filter you can buy. The K&N Air Filter can be cleaned and re-used which saves a lot of money in the long run.

Purolator PA24278 PureONE Air Filter is pretty good if you don't want a re-usable filter.
 

DIY: BMW E90 Power Steering Reservoir Gasket

How to change the power steering reservoir cap gasket for BMW vehicles.

The power steering reservoir tends to leak up top because of two main reasons.

• The reservoir is made out of plastic and there is a crack where the two halves come together. 
• The reservoir cap gasket has deteriorated, lost its elasticity, etc. I have heard the gasket is not compatible with the Pentosin hydraulic fluid and the gasket deteriorates over time.

Luckily the reservoir is cheap and so is the gasket.

Below is a picture of what the power steering reservoir looks like in almost all modern BMWs. 

  

BMW started using Pentosin CHF 11S Synthetic Hydraulic Fluid - 1 Liter power steering fluid after '06 with their E9X models. The Pentosin fluid is not compatible with ATF! Do not mix the two. The required fluid is stamped on the top of the reservoir cap as shown below.

 

 To replace the power steering reservoir:

• Remove the cap and suck out all the power steering fluid using a turkey baster
• Remove the two nuts and bolts holding the power steering reservoir in place
• Break the two clamps holding securing the hoses to the reservoir at the bottom. 
• Part number for clamps: 07-12-9-952-109
• Part number for hoses built after 09/01: 32-11-6-750-155 and 32-41-6-796-390
• Part number for hoses built before 09/01: 32-41-1-095-526 and 32-41-6-796-390
• Installation is the reverse of removal. Install the clamp and install the two nuts and bolts securing the power steering pump reservoir. Fill the reservoir with the appropriate steering fluid up to the max fill line. 

The reservoir part number can be found and purchased here: BMW Power Steering Pump Fluid Reservoir Tank + Cap Hamman OEM Qualit 32411097164. If your reservoir requires Pentosin I would keep your old cap and put it on the new reservoir. 

To replace the power steering reservoir cap gasket:

• Remove the cap
• Remove gasket by using a scribe, pick, or small screwdriver. Be careful not to damage the cap
• Lube the new gasket with the hydraulic fluid and place into cap
• Install cap
• Below is a picture of where the gasket is located and the fill lines on the cap
 

DIY: Clean or Replace MAF Sensor on R50 Pathfinder or QX4

Steps: 

-Remove the 10mm nuts and bolts securing the air box filter. Red Arrows
-Remove the two plastic hoses on top of the air box. One of the hoses attaches to a metal nipple at the end of the air box. Blue Arrows.
-Loosen the MAF clamp with a Phillips screwdriver. 

-Remove the four 10mm bolts holding the MAF to the rear of the air box. Red Circles.
-One of the plastic tubes on top of the air box plugs into the metal nipple circled in blue. It may be difficult to remove the tube and will take some time. Be careful not to bend or clamp the metal nipple.

-Remove the electrical plug from the MAF sensor. Circled in Red.

-Remove the air box assembly and then remove the MAF. I had difficulty removing the MAF without taking out the air box assembly. I was worried about damaging the intake boot which is why I removed the air box assembly first.

-Once the MAF is removed, you can take out the sensor by removing the two bolts holding it into place. Red Arrow.

-Use CRC 05110 Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner - 11 Wt Oz. to clean the MAF sensor. Do not touch the sensor or wipe it with a towel, let it air dry. Spray the cleaner directly onto the sensor highlighted in green.

Installation is the reverse of removal. Pretty simple.

I suggest using Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Grease (NLGI 2), 3 oz Tube on the hose that attaches to the back of the air box for easier installation and removal.

Now is also a good time to replace the air filter if it is dirty and clogged. I use K&N 33-2031-2 High Performance Replacement Air Filter because of its high performance and re-usability.

Why clean your MAF sensor? 
Dirty MAF sensor results in poor gas mileage, loss of power, difficulty starting, engine stalling, and lean or rich idling. If the MAF sensor is extremely dirty, you may get a check engine light.

Take the time to clean your MAF sensor on a periodic basis, it only takes a short amount of time and will save you money at the pump.

Note:
If the mass air flow sensor meter is cracked or warped, you need to replace it. I recommend buying this one.

If the sensor itself is damaged and cleaning does your fix your issues, you need to buy a new sensor. I recommend the Delphi AF10163


 

DIY: Rear Passenger O2 Sensor for Infiniti QX4 and Nissan Pathfinder R50

How to remove and install the rear passenger side O2 sensor for the Infiniti QX4 and Nissan Pathfinder R50.

This applies to the Sensor 2 Bank 1 O2 sensor, but this tutorial may be helpful in removing the other sensors.

Remove the car battery or disconnect the negative terminal. 

Remove the 10 mm bolts holding the engine cover.

Locate the Sensor 2 Bank 1 wiring harness and plug. The plug is green and located on the passenger side, close to the firewall. Refer to the picture below for location.

Carefully remove the green clip. It may help to use pliers to clamp and remove the plug.

There are two plastic clips under the hood that hold the O2 wires in place. Remove them by pulling them or using a flat head screwdriver and pry them off.

A single plastic clip holds the O2 wires underneath the car. It is tricky to get to so I used a very long flat head screwdriver to pry the clip off. It will take some patience to break it off.

Once all the clips are off and the wires unplugged, remove the O2 sensor with a 22 mm open ended wrench. I used a TEKTON 21391 22mm Combination Wrench.

Installation:

I bought the Bosch 13650 Oxygen Sensor, OE Type Fitment sensor because it is much cheaper than the OEM sensor and it does the same thing.

Be careful not to touch, bump, or damage the tip of the sensor.

I had a friend carefully drop the O2 sensor from the hood and guide it into position. I installed the O2 sensor with a 22mm wrench.

Plug the green wiring plug into position and press the two plastic clips into place.

I was not able to install the single plastic clip at the bottom of the wiring harness because I could not reach the hole. The only way to install the bottom plastic clip is to remove some serious hardware such as the exhaust and catalytic convertor, etc. I left the clip uninstalled and let the wires dangled. It has been several months and I have had no issues.

Reinstall the engine cover and car battery.

Start the car to see if the check engine light is still on.

Why remove and install the O2 sensor?

I noticed my QX4 was running very rich and there was a strong smell of gas from the exhaust on start up. One day my service engine soon light came up and when I ran the codes, the Sensor 2 Bank 1 was reading incorrect voltage and catalytic convertor error. I know QX4 and Pathfinders eat O2 sensors like crazy so replacing them is the cheapest and easiest way to fix the problem.

The dealership wanted $600ish to change the O2 sensor which is way too expensive. OEM O2 sensors are close to $100 so I went on Amazon and bought the Bosch replacement. No problems or check engine light after installing the Bosch O2 sensor and I passed emissions.

Below are pictures from InfinitiHelp to help locate the O2 sensors.

How to Change Engine Oil on a 2015 Subaru Forester

Replacing engine oil and filter on a 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i and 2.0 turbo. Applies to most Subaru models with similar engines.

Tools:

• 17 mm socket and ratchet.
• Extensions and a breaker bar may be useful.
• Oil Drain Pan. I use Lisle Black Pan for its large capacity. 

Parts:

• Oil filter. I use Mobil 1 Performance Oil Filter. Alternatively, buy OEM for less here: Subaru 6 Pack Oil filters for 2011 and up. Legacy, Outback, Forester. Part number 15208AA15A

• Subaru oil drain plug washer/gasket. Subaru 803916010 Oil Drain Plug Washer Part number 803916010

• Synthetic motor oil 0W-20 for 2.5i and 5W-30 for 2.0i turbo.
• 0W-20 OEM here: Genuine Subaru SOA427V1315 Motor Oil 
• Castrol EDGE 0W-20 Extended Performance Synthetic Motor Oil - 1 Quart Bottle, (Pack of 6) 
• 5W-30 OEM here: Subaru SOA868V9285 Synthetic Motor Oil - 1 Gallon 
• Castrol EDGE Extended Performance 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil - 5 Quart 

• Subaru's owner manual says use 0W-20 for the 2.5i, however I used 5W-30 and haven't had any issues. 

• Drain Plug if necessary. 
• Fumoto F-108N Engine Oil Drain Valve for more convenient draining.

Recommended:

• Ramps, Funnel, Rags, Jack and Jack Stands.

Steps:  

• Warm up car to normal operating temperatures. 

• Optional: Jack Forester and place jack stands or drive up on ramps. RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramps (Pair, 12,000lb. GVW Capacity) 

• Open hood and remove the oil filler cap (Yellow cap below).

• Remove the oil filter (Black cylinder below) with TEKTON 12-Inch Oil Filter Pliers.

• Clean the filter housing cup so there is a clean mating surface for the new filter.

• Apply clean oil to rubber gasket on new oil filter. 

• Install new filter by hand. The owner's manual says one full rotation past hand tight. 

• Locate oil drain plug underneath car. The picture below shows the general location, plug is located in the opening below.

• Place drain pan underneath and loosen drain plug with a 17 mm socket. Careful, the oil will be hot. Let the oil drain for 15-30 minutes.

• Reinstall drain plug with new crush washer. Torque drain plug to 32 ft/lbs. 

• Pour in new engine oil. It is perfectly fine if you overfill a little bit.
• 4.8 liters/5.1 US Quarts for non turbo 2.5i engine.
• 5.1 liters/5.4 US Quarts for turbo 2.0i engine.

• Install oil filler cap, check for leaks in drain plug area.

• Drive Subaru around for a few minutes. Recheck drain plug for leaks. The oil filter housing cup may leak a little which is fine. 

Notes:
I have heard great things about Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil - 1 Quart, (Case of 6) so I will use that for the next oil change. So far, the Castrol EDGE 5W-30 has been doing very well.

I highly suggest WIX 57055 Oil Filter for its high bypass PSI, especially for turbo Subarus. The WIX filter is competitively priced and many enthusiasts prefer it over OEM filters.

The drain plug is at an angle and not pointed straight down. I recommend placing the pan directly where the plug is pointing.

I enjoy changing oil on the Forester because I don't have to remove any plastic panels to get to the drain plug or filter. The process is quick and straightforward.

Owners manual can be found here: 2015 Subaru Forester Manual



DIY applies to SJ Fourth Generation of Subaru Forester. 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.

DIY: Infiniti QX4 Fog & Turning Signal Bulb 2001-03

Tools needed: 
-10mm socket and ratchet
-Phillips screwdriver  

Remove the two Phillips screws holding the fog light molding. Circled in red below.

There is a single 10mm bolt that holds the fog light assembly to the car. I suggest using a deep well 10mm socket or extensions to get to the bolt. The other side of the fog light assembly has two plastic tabs that insert into the bumper.

The bolt threads had a lot of rust so I recommend using PB Penetrating Catalyst

The picture below shows the back of the fog light assembly.

The red circle highlights the turning signal bulb. To access the bulb, simply turn counter-clockwise and the bulb will be attached. Be careful not to touch the bulb with your bare hands.

The blue circle highlights the fog light bulb. Turn it clockwise to access.

The fog light is held into place by two metal braces and the wiring is attached to the back of the cap.

Detach the wire from the back of the cap.

Remove the two metal braces by pushing them down and away on each side.

You can now install the new fog light bulb. One side is squared and the opposite is half circle so there is only one way to insert the bulb into the assembly. I bought Intella Halogen H3 Bulb 55W and they work extremely well. 

Install by pushing the metal braces around the bulb.
Attach the wire to the cap.
Put the cap back on and turn clockwise to tighten.
Insert fog light assembly back into bumper with the Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant with Brush Top Bottle because the assembly is close to the ground and gets a lot of moisture. Anti-seize will make prevent the bolt from seizing the next time you remove it.
Attach the plastic molding and two Phillips screws on the top and bottom.

Wear gloves when handling the bulbs.  If you touch them with your bare hands use some rubbing alcohol and remove clean them. The grease from your hands creates a hot spot on the bulb and they will explode when you use the lights.

Permatex Dielectric Tune-Up Grease
I used dielectric grease on the electrical connectors because they are so low to the ground and get a lot of moisture. The grease will prevent moisture from getting into the connectors and causing problems.