Fuel Injectors?

[joneill1975]

My wife's 02 I35 is having trouble starting. It starts fine, but immediately dies. You have to give it a little gas when you start it and it will then run without any problems. Anyone have any ideas on what is causing this? I was thinking the fuel injectors are clogged. Any thoughts on how to fix it? I'm not getting any trouble codes, so I don't think that it is the IACV.

[IBoostNissans]

How's the pump?You could also check the fuel filter.

But the injectors are pretty straight forward...Try some STP fuel injector cleaner or some seafoam first.

[joneill1975]

The strange thing is that this problem started suddenly. The battery died on Saturday, I replaced it and the car ran fine. Then Sunday afternoon this problem started. Do you think that it has something to do with the computer/ECM? I was also thinking that maybe the idle got reset to low when I changed the battery (if that is possible) and is starving the engine when I start it. I still don't understand why it runs fine after I give it a little gas.

I tried the fuel injector cleaner and it didn't help.

[IBoostNissans]

The strange thing is that this problem started suddenly. The battery died on Saturday, I replaced it and the car ran fine. Then Sunday afternoon this problem started. Do you think that it has something to do with the computer/ECM? I was also thinking that maybe the idle got reset to low when I changed the battery (if that is possible) and is starving the engine when I start it. I still don't understand why it runs fine after I give it a little gas.

I tried the fuel injector cleaner and it didn't help.

Hmm. That does sound like a possible cpu issue.I have never seen a battery change effec the idle speed, so I doubt thats it.

And you said you have no trouble codes?If you do run them, if it was a problem with the ecu it would come up in code.

Possibly check your plugs and wires, maybe even the coil pack.My friends daily driver (G20) had the same issue and it ended up being bad plugs and coil...

[joneill1975]

This morning it started without any problems for her. Then at lunch and this afternoon it started doing it again. I was thinking this might only be an issue when the engine is hot, but yesterday morning (when the engine was cold) it gave her problems.

I will try running the codes to see if anything comes up, but the check engine light has not come on during all of this. I will also change the plugs to see if that is it.

[IBoostNissans]

Well let me know how that goes and I will try to help you out as best I can.

[Markc]

How many miles on this car? Try turning on the key and letting it sit for 10 seconds without cranking it over. Then crank it. If this proves to consecutively start w/o issue, I'll bet it's the pump.

[loystock]

If you have a failing pump or clogged fuel filter, the fuel system cleaner will not help. BTW, which fuel cleaner did you use? I used BG44K only until I switched to Red Line SI-1 this year (BG changed the formulation on BG44K).

You have to check the fuel pressure, should be >40 psi with pump on (refer to FSM for exact value). The fuel filter used to be on the firewall but in your car, the fuel pump, fuel filter and level sensor are all in the fuel tank (access from the rear seat).

Make sure the fuel line is empty before connecting a fuel pressure gauge - FIRE HAZARD. To do so, pull the fuel pump fuse while the engine is running and let it die. Then crank the engine at least one more time to ensure line is empty.

Also check the battery voltage - >12.5 VDC with engine off and >13.8 VDC with engine running (alternator charging).

Check/clean the ground leads (on top of engine near the main harness and beside the intake plenum)

Also, it's possible (remote but possible) that your NATS (Nissan Anti Theft System) key or ignition switch is erratic. Use the other key to start the engine.

[joneill1975]

Ok, the problem is still intermittent with it actually occurring more than it doesn't. I decided to change the spark plugs today to see if that was the problem. I changed the front three since they are easy to get to. I didn't remove the intake to access the three in the rear (towards the cabin) today due to time. I did pull one of the plugs on the driver side rear since it was the easiest to access. To my surprise the spark plug cylinder was full of oil. I cleaned up the oil, but I couldn't remove the spark plug because of the intake. I've read that the oil in the spark plug cylinder is due to a leaking valve cover gasket, a leaking O-ring or a plugged PCV valve. Do you think the oil problem has anything to do with my starting problem? How hard is it to replace the valve cover gasket or O-ring?