New ride! 2001 Infiniti Qx4 4WD - Black on Black w/ nav

[absolutegtr]

Hey! Been lurking around the NICO forum for about a month now, just reading up all the good info, and decided to register!

Anyways, Just bought (about a month ago) a 2001 Infiniti QX4 4WD. Ill upload pictures later as i just lost my iPhone 4 :-( ....but it seems to be fully optioned minus heated seats. It is Black on Black leather with factory navigation and BOSE sound system. Also it has 4WD. Has 91k miles on it now.

Just have a few questions/issues about it, any help would be great!

1. Even though it has the 3.5l motor with 240hp...it just seems stupid slow as if something is wrong with it Dont know if I am just used to my other car (2001 BMW 540iA sport)...but its as if the car does not want to accelerate and going up hill it can not accelerate past 70mph...? Also, I noticed it is as if the car is hitting fuel cut-off at around 4k RPM's...So I changed the fuel filter, problem remained. The check engine light is on for the swirl control valve, not sure if they are related. The only other thing I can assume is maybe a faulty MAF as the transmission has a nice, FIRM, shift from 1st to 2nd gear.

2. The rear bottoms ot like no other car I have ever owned. If there are people in the back seat (with a full tank of gas) it is game over. Car will bottom out HARD on the slightest of bumps/dips. Is it the shocks or do i need stiffer springs. Not trying to do a lift or anything, would like to keep car stock.

3. Not really a problem, but i have the MAP disc for the NYC area (I believe it is MCA 7) and I need area 9 (the south east area)....anyone want to trade? Or perhaps I can buy one.

Other than those two issues, (and an exhaust leak lol) the truck is a blast!

Thanks!

[Towncivilian]

You can try cleaning the MAF sensor with some MAF cleaner to begin with. You will need a T20 tamper-resistant Torx bit to remove the MAF. My Pathfinder also bottoms out or at least makes a very large clunk sound when I go >20mph over bumps etc... it's annoying but I don't have the money for a new suspension, mine's well worn at 126k miles.

What is the trouble code for the swirl control valve CEL? It'll be something like P####.

[absolutegtr]

Off the top of my head I believe it is P1131

Thank you

[Towncivilian]

It is P1130. The swirl valves actuate above 3,600 RPM which very well may explain your issues. See here for a possible diagnostic procedure, and the FSM on page EC-458.

Another thing to look into with our VQ35DE engine is the screws on the butterfly valves (aka power valves) potentially backing out and being sucked in by the engine, causing major engine damage. If you're mechanically inclined, you should remove the upper intake manifold collector to verify all 12 screws are there and apply permanent threadlocker to them to prevent this issue. We have a sticky here about it but it seems that the first post's pictures are dead. See the original thread on NPORA about it.

EDIT: Since you're a new owner, here are some other suggestions:

• Change your cabin air filter
• Obtain your vehicle's entire service history from your local Nissan dealership, and check for recalls while you're there
• If you don't know the service history of this vehicle, it's a good idea to replace all fluids as soon as you can. Engine oil & filter, coolant, transmission/transfer case fluid, front & rear differential, power steering, brake fluid, grease the driveshaft and any other applicable components, replace engine air filter if required... it's a lot, but once you replace all of these you'll have a baseline for future maintenance and once you fix your CEL, you should be good to go in terms of preventative maintenance for 2 years.

I hope you find your iPhone, they're expensive to replace! And welcome to NICO!

[Finkle]

Welcome to NICO. Sorry abouth the problems you are having. The 540i is one heck of a powerhouse, so it could take some getting used to less. My pathfinder has plenty of get up and go.

[absolutegtr]

Yea, I love that 540i...next step is definitely an e39 M5

Just bought some MAF sensor cleaner, I will go to town cleaning it up, it worked wonders on my 540i (which actually come to think about also had acceleration problems and hard shifts when i first bought it until I cleaned the MAF....hmmmmm...I'll report back, *fingers crossed*)

[asnorton44]

Yea, I love that 540i...next step is definitely an e39 M5

Just bought some MAF sensor cleaner, I will go to town cleaning it up, it worked wonders on my 540i (which actually come to think about also had acceleration problems and hard shifts when i first bought it until I cleaned the MAF....hmmmmm...I'll report back, *fingers crossed*)

Yeah they are great cars my buddy has a '95 540i 6-Speed and that thing hauls a$$.

[absolutegtr]

UPDATE:

Tried cleaning the MAF with some MAF cleaner and it must have just destroyed it as the car would not rev past 2400RPM and was in limp mode, all the better as I was forced to buy a new MAF then. Did a little research and installed the maxima MAF, part# 22680-2Y001 for $113 after tax from stealership.

Car runs like an absolute dream now! Sucks I didnt do the research before my 13hr road trip from NY to SC

But just glad the car shift and revs and pulls like it should!! Not like the 540i lol but still not that bad