Problem starting; did battery, valve replacement & Throttle body cleaning
Long time to crank car up, added sound clip; Valve and batter replaced already
Guys, I've had a problem starting my car up for the past few weeks. First I went in and they did a TSB for the battery and the vent control valve replacement. Then a few days later I cleaned the throttle body. I'm still having problems and it seems to be getting worse. I'm posting up a youtube clip of the start up. Listen to it and tell me what you guys think I need to do.
Btw, I made an appt for Tuesday to go to the dealership but wanted to take some ideas to them.
YouTube - Start up.mpg
Thanks in advance people!
Btw, I made an appt for Tuesday to go to the dealership but wanted to take some ideas to them.
YouTube - Start up.mpg
Thanks in advance people!
Last edited by ohsogood; Jan 3, 2011 at 10:33 AM. Reason: Re-wording title
can't be the battery, its cranking but not starting. Just call Infiniti Roadside and have the dealer look at it. You don't' want to start messing with it and void the warranty. I wouldn't mention that you cleaned and moved anything.
The "do it yourself" should be done when there is no warranty left on the vehicle.
Just take it in!
The "do it yourself" should be done when there is no warranty left on the vehicle.
Just take it in!
can't be the battery, its cranking but not starting. Just call Infiniti Roadside and have the dealer look at it. You don't' want to start messing with it and void the warranty. I wouldn't mention that you cleaned and moved anything.
The "do it yourself" should be done when there is no warranty left on the vehicle.
Just take it in!
The "do it yourself" should be done when there is no warranty left on the vehicle.
Just take it in!
Fortunately, my dealership is great about working/fixing stuff on my car with no complaints. One of the few times I can say a dealership will do everything they can to help me out.
Just wanted to see if others had the same problem or might know what caused the problem before I take it in next week.
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Just as a quick FYI, throttle body cleaning won't do much on the VQ37VHR engine since it uses the VVEL system to regulate the air input. There are two throttle bodies but they are always fully open and they are just there as backup incase the VVEL system fails.
Maybe it was in the head?
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I agree that it seems to be taking longer than "normal" to start. It sounds like it isn't getting fuel initially. Have they checked the fuel pump pressure or the injectors? If they are ok have they checked the plugs. While it doesn't sound like it is missing a bad plug can slow ignition.
How does it run under WOT? Is the car sluggish under acceleration? What about when the car is hot/cold? Does it sputter when accelerating from a cold start?
You don't say how many miles the car has on it, when was the last time you replaced the air filters? I know the manual says at about 30k. I replaced my filters at 20k and it did make a difference, and I wasn't having any problems. Pull both filters (one at a time) and look at them, are they dirty? Replace the filters, about $25 each at the dealer and see if that helps.
Good luck.
How does it run under WOT? Is the car sluggish under acceleration? What about when the car is hot/cold? Does it sputter when accelerating from a cold start?
You don't say how many miles the car has on it, when was the last time you replaced the air filters? I know the manual says at about 30k. I replaced my filters at 20k and it did make a difference, and I wasn't having any problems. Pull both filters (one at a time) and look at them, are they dirty? Replace the filters, about $25 each at the dealer and see if that helps.
Good luck.
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I agree that it seems to be taking longer than "normal" to start. It sounds like it isn't getting fuel initially. Have they checked the fuel pump pressure or the injectors? If they are ok have they checked the plugs. While it doesn't sound like it is missing a bad plug can slow ignition.
How does it run under WOT? Is the car sluggish under acceleration? What about when the car is hot/cold? Does it sputter when accelerating from a cold start?
You don't say how many miles the car has on it, when was the last time you replaced the air filters? I know the manual says at about 30k. I replaced my filters at 20k and it did make a difference, and I wasn't having any problems. Pull both filters (one at a time) and look at them, are they dirty? Replace the filters, about $25 each at the dealer and see if that helps.
Good luck.
How does it run under WOT? Is the car sluggish under acceleration? What about when the car is hot/cold? Does it sputter when accelerating from a cold start?
You don't say how many miles the car has on it, when was the last time you replaced the air filters? I know the manual says at about 30k. I replaced my filters at 20k and it did make a difference, and I wasn't having any problems. Pull both filters (one at a time) and look at them, are they dirty? Replace the filters, about $25 each at the dealer and see if that helps.
Good luck.
Feels fine under WOT. It did feel sluggish but cleaning the throttle body made a huge difference. I'm only have problems with the start up. Fortunately, it hasn't died on me once yet. It's just struggled to start like you heard.
So I'm thinking I should tell my dealer to look at:
Fuel pump pressure and injectors? And then the spark plugs?
I wish my dealership wasn't so busy. They couldn't see me until Tuesday.
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I thought it was for emissions.
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Their wording is a complete marketing ploy. This is a conventional engine, who's engine speed is controlled by the two throttle bodies. They are trying to meld VVEL and spin it to make it sound like it can control the throttle/engine speed...but it cannot do this. This engine requires TB's, and its not something just for emissions purposes.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Sorry but was a bit confused with your statement from the previous quote. Are you saying the throttle body cleaning does make a difference on the 2008? Felt a huge difference after my cleaning.
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A Nissan press release explaining VVEL which says
While conventional engines control air intake using a throttle valve, VVEL-equipped engines do this directly at the intake valves, continuously controlling their valve events and lifts. C-VTC and VVEL together control the valve phases and its valve events and lifts, allowing free-control of the valve timing and lift. This results in more efficient airflow through the cylinder and significantly improves responsiveness, optimizing the balance between power and environmental performance.
It even says in the video:
Air intake is controlled by finely variable regulation of the degree of valve lift and valve timing resulting in a highly efficient engine.
Last edited by JohnEnglish; Jan 1, 2011 at 04:33 PM.
This is just for the people who might face or have the same problem with their car..
I just sent the clip to the dealer and he stated it seems like it's a fuel injector problem. I'm taking my car in tomorrow to get it fixed. I just wanted to relay this information out to other G users so they could hear my sound clip and if they have the same problem, at least they know what the issue is.
Hope this helps for other future readers
I just sent the clip to the dealer and he stated it seems like it's a fuel injector problem. I'm taking my car in tomorrow to get it fixed. I just wanted to relay this information out to other G users so they could hear my sound clip and if they have the same problem, at least they know what the issue is.
Hope this helps for other future readers