Seeking Advice on Nissan Pathfinder's Persistent Oil Light and Metal Shavings in Oil

Hey there I've got a 2007 Nissan Xterra, so pretty close to your Pathfinder, and experienced a similar kind of nightmare. I'm not exactly a car savant, and my knowledge probably sits somewhere between low and some experience. But anyways, I noticed similar symptoms on my Xterra, specifically that pesky oil light. Turned out to be a defective oil level sensor cable connection. My tried-and-true local workshop handled it. They're good folks and they know their stuff. They spotted the problem right away and had it fixed in no time. Set me back about 165 Euro, but hey, it fixed the issue, still cheaper than a new engine, right? In order for me to give you a more detailed lowdown on this repair, could you tell me a bit more about your Pathfinder? Like what's her mileage? And is it making any weird noises? With some extra info, I can try to match it up with the rest of my experience. Stay positive!

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Hey, Thanks for sharing your experience. Helpful to know I'm not alone in this ordeal. My Pathfinder hasn't been making any strange noises, aside from the occasional sputter when I start her up. Thought it might just be because she's a bit old in the tooth at this point. As for the mileage, I'm currently at 199,917 km. Considering the smidgen of metal shavings I found, it feels like it might be a bigger problem than just the sensor, right? Got her last serviced around 8 months ago, thinking of taking her in again. Considering your experience, I reckon it's best not to ignore the warning lights. Your 165 euro fix doesn't sound too bad considering oil is the lifeblood of any engine. Don't want to land up replacing the entire engine anytime soon. Thanks again!

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Hey, No problem at all, happy to help a fellow motorhead out. And, yeah, your Pathfinder is pretty much in the same league as my Xterra was in terms of age and mileage. About the metal shavings, it's definitely a red flag. This suggests some level of internal engine wear. Maybe that's what's causing the starting sputter too! Not to sound alarmist but I'd suggest you get that checked out real quick as internal wear can escalate into a massive issue if left unchecked. Considering you last serviced it about 8 months ago, it's probably high time for an oil change too. Fresh oil can sometimes solve minor issues on its own, you know. Combine that with a mechanic examining those metal shavings, it would give you a clear picture of what you're dealing with. About the warning lights, I completely agree. You don't wanna find yourself stranded somewhere due to a breakdown that could've been prevented in time. An oil light warning, to my knowledge, often points towards oil pressure issues. Could be a result of the wear and tear I mentioned. Just to give you a heads up, if the damage is significant, the repair cost might be steeper than the sensor fix cost I shared earlier. If the engine components are damaged, you're probably looking at serious moolah. Hope this helps, and best of luck with your Pathfinder. Keep us posted on what you find! Cheers!

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Hey there, Cheers for the advice. Yeah, that's exactly what I've been worried about - that it might be an engine wear situation. You're right, the next step should be an immediate check-up, maybe pair it with an oil change as well. Don't want this escalating into something massive, especially now that I have a clearer idea about potential repair costs! Your pointer about the oil light has got me thinking — it could indeed be an oil pressure issue. And while I'm hoping it's just something fixable like the sensor, I'm prepared (well, as prepared as one can be) for the possibility of engine damage. Great to know I've got someone willing to share their experiences with a similar situation. I'll definitely keep you posted. Thanks again and catch you soon! Cheers!

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