2001 Nissan Xterra 3.3 v6 rough idle

[Ghost1]

01 Xterra 4x4 v6 74000 miles. Rough idle all the time but sometimes worse than others. Runs fine but does seem to have a slight miss. Have once or twice noticed a feeling like running over something. No CEL, no codes stored.

Rumor is the distributors in these are prone to fail (cam sensor/bearings) and I have been advised that it's likely my problem but...before I just drop $250 for a part that may not work, is there a way I can test it without taking it to a dealership shop?

 

[Djstorm100]

replaced the mother in law dizzy year or so ago.

Take the idle air control valve off and clean it out. I just replaced spark plugs (good luck on cylinder 6), wires and belts on her's this weekend.

It's easy to do it your self

 

[Ghost1]

I should have added: plugs/wires/cap/rotor have been changed, timing belt/tensioner/water pump have been changed. Problem existed before any of that was done-has gradually gotten worse. I don't think it's the IAC valve because of the slight miss while revved up but I have considered it.

 

[Mike Overlay]

 

[Djstorm100]

I should have added: plugs/wires/cap/rotor have been changed, timing belt/tensioner/water pump have been changed. Problem existed before any of that was done-has gradually gotten worse. I don't think it's the IAC valve because of the slight miss while revved up but I have considered it.

Miss when reving can be fuel pressure drop over the rail.

 

[Coltdefender1911]

Check for a vacuum leak.