500 RPM - Engine Almost Shutdown

[Yev]

Hi, everyone. I've complained about vibrations that frequent the Nissan Rogue, but what I have experienced today was something else. I was driving 60 km/h with my A/C on low and stopped at the red traffic light. The weather outside was fine, too, roughly 13 degrees Celsius. While at idle, my engine shook so hard that my entire car vibrated significantly...I honestly thought my engine was going to shutdown. I quickly glanced at the tachometer and noticed my RPM dropped to 500 from a usual 750. This lasted for roughly two seconds and then my RPM went back to normal. Not sure what to make of this. I am aware that my Serpentine belt has numerous cracks and needs to be replaced soon. I will visit a Nissan mechanic tomorrow to have a new Serpentine belt installed and perhaps check the tensioner. Any suggestions?

[ImStricken06]

this has nothing to do with your belt.

this is either just normal a/c clutch kicking in, high a/c pressure causing your pump to roughly kick in, or you have a dirty MAF sensor, or you are in need of an idle relearn.

[Qashqai]

how-to-idle-relearn-t442597.html

This is the "idle relearn" right?

The same thing happened to me last week. Just once. At the red lights, the rpm suddenly dropped. The A/C was off. Even my wife noticed the shake (she NEVER feels anything wrong with any mechanical device)

I am nervous. Can I do this? is there a risk? I don't know, can I "erase" the original idle settings by mistake??

[ImStricken06]

my g37s used to do this too. its common. i would do all the simple, yet very useful cleanings: MAF sensor & air intake filter before going the throttle relearn route.

the method i know works for G37's, but i am not sure it will work on our cars.

[Qashqai]

So do you think it is too early to clean the MAF sensor in a 2011 car at 30.000 kms? (changed the OEM Nissan filter every 10.000 kms).

I can try to clean, there are tons of online sources, but is it better not to touch?

[ImStricken06]

its hard to say. many things are on a case by case basis. technically its a little early, but then again you never know. its a tough call. its very-very easy and cheap to do. i would at the very least inspect it and blow it out. (but then again, if our already at it, might as well spray it with some MAF cleaner lol)

[Qashqai]

You are right. At least I will check to see if it is clean or dirty...

I looked at the FSM , section EM. It is a small rectangular piece, just next to the air filter.



http://automammoth.com/shop/22680-7s000/

Most of the sensors on youtube are circular parts with 3-4 wires passing through centre. the aim is to clean the wires, so that they will "shine" again.

Where will I spray the MAF cleaner??

[ImStricken06]

right into the small air inlet passage.

[Qashqai]

right into the small air inlet passage.

really? I think I should wait until the car stalls or dealer tries to charge $500 to fix it...

[ImStricken06]

i wouldnt steer you wrong

[Black B15]

What i'mstricken said. I basically keep a bottle of the CRC Mass Airflow cleaner handy. We touched on this in another thread, but especially if you are using an aftermarket filter that you oil (Like a K&N panel filter) there is a chance that it was over oiled and that oil will flow past the MAF sensor causing it to somewhat gunk up. This can cause the exact symptoms you are mentioning. It should be pointed out that the MAF can also just get dirty from everyday driving, but over oiling a filter is a big problem for the mass airflow sensor.

Again, like stricken said...you can literally hose that sensor with the MAF cleaner. When you take out the sensor, you will realize it is directional with the air flow from the intake. When you look in those little openings that stricken pointed out, you can see the little metal wires in there. Just hose those off, DO NOT SHAKE DRY....it will evaporate rather quickly. I usually let mine dry for about 5 minutes just to make sure there is no fluid left in there.

I did this to my Sentra probably 30 or 40 times over the course of 150,000 miles. I never had a problem once with using this product.

[Black B15]

I pulled my MAF sensor on Friday and cleaned it out. Really more of a "just in case" kind of thing since I am running a K&N panel filter.

I am assuming not many people have pulled their MAF sensors on the Rogue....because it certainly does not come straight out. A person can either loosen the air intake right there by the MAF, and then slightly turn the MAF housing so you can get the sensor out past the overhang from the engine bay.

Just wanted to post my experience with that CRC MAF sensor cleaner. It works and will NOT harm your mass airflow sensor. As I said before, just make sure it has all evaporated before reinstalling the sensor. And never ever shake the sensor, as that may destroy it.

[SquiggyFreud]

I plan on doing this over the weekend, looks like the air box needs to be loosened to get the sensor out?
Also, is there a how to on cleaning the throttle body?