Hello,

I am sorry that this isn't the right forum, but I really had no place to turn to. My 2001 Pathfinder (VQ35DE) has been idling rough once about a minute and sometimes stalls during idle. Drives perfectly fine.

Anyway, brought car into dealer and I was just told "no codes", but the "MIL" light is on!?!?!?

Dealer mechanic says that I should get TB cleaning and fuel injector cleaning. I did have codes read about 2 weeks ago and I was told that the engine was running rich.
Car also makes wisp of black smoke during morning starts.

Considering that the dealer is saying it is a "simple" throttle body carbon build-up, or dirty injectors, I am wondering how dirty injectors can lead to rich running engine (wouldn't it be running lean then?). Also, I was pretty sure that most repair manuals says to not clean the TB, because (at least for the pathfinder) it has a special coating to keep it from getting build-ups...

Anyway, the dealer wants $189 plus tax for these two, "for starters" and wants to see how that "deals" with the problem (they sound like local exxon gas station mechanics). Sadly, all three local nissan service is like this (other one charged me $225 to reset MIL light).

I wanted to know if someone thinks dirty throttle body can be cause of rough idle/stalling during idle?

thank you for any help,

 

How many miles on it?

Over 60k, can be dirty.

DIY, use some spray cleaner.

Clean also TPS; make hole with soldering iron tip [drilling no good as bits fall in], soak with electronics cleaner.

 

if the injectors are dirty, in theory they cause a bad spray pattern which will cause an inefficient burn which the car then trys to compensate for by richening up the mixture.
but if there's an MIL light then there is definately a code stored.

 

Nope, went to two different dealers. One dealer said that there was no code and charged me $225 to reset the MIL light, and the second dealer tells me that the light went out and there was no code.

If I remember correctly though, even if the MIL light goes off (supposed to after 3 trips w/o any more problems), isn't it supposed to still store the code? Anyway, maybe I'll get it done, because my wife is working full time now, so I no longer have any time to work on the car and anytime that I do have, I am currently spending all on my 3rd gen Max... Thanks for all the help as always,

 

$225 to reset the MIL light... wow!

I'll pack and fly over there and start a career as R/R = Royal Resetter! Wellcome then to my 1000 acre hacienda all u maximized, free resetting...

 

I reluctantly agreed to the TB and Injector cleaning (at least they weren't dumping injector "cleaner" into the gas tank and charging me $189, the other dealer did). The guy calls back and tells me that after the cleaning the car was even worse and then they "realized" that the Air Flow meter is clogged?!?! He then told me that perhaps it was partly clogged and cleaning the TB caused more carbon deposit to get stuck in the MAF really tripping it (his exact words!).

I initially thoguht it might be MAF, and courtesy Nissan quoted over $400 for the MAF, so I brought the car in hoping that they'd check the MAF (since I have warranty). I guess dealer wanted to make extra $200 through TB cleaning...

I then asked if he means the Mass Air Flow sensor when he tells me Air flow meter. He said yes. I have a question. Isn't the MAF before the throttle body? I never really looked for one (thank God it's okay in my Max), but I thought it was between the air filter housing and the throttle body? If I am correct, how did cleaning the TB cuase carbon deposit to flow against airflow into the MAF???

Anyway, thank God that I still have my extended warranty. As for today, I more than evened out with the initial extended warranty price through the MAF service. I used to think they were crap, but now I realize that maybe it's not so bad after all.

Thank you everyone who tried to help

 

The MAF comes well before the TB.

 

I Say Bs..... Dealer Is Ripping You A New Rear End Hole>....

 

God I HATE "mechanics" who cant fix a car if there isnt a computer telling them what's wrong.

 

I was thinking it but wasn't bold enough to say it.

 

"He then told me that perhaps it was partly clogged and cleaning the TB caused more carbon deposit to get stuck in the MAF really tripping it (his exact words!)."

Joke of the month!

I would laugh on the sentence if it wasnt your property theyre ruining... Is there any way u can bypass this Fantasyland?

Btw. is out there still somebody praising stealership "service"?????

My job mate was asked at 30k VW service: "What shall we do this time?" He answered to the mgr.: "Greasing of the steering wheel, and s***tin on the seats - as always, pls thanks!"

 

Actually, this used to be the worst dealer service in the area, (I've posted previously reg wife's 00' jetta getting its oil pan drain hole stripped, losing 4 of 8 screws off my '97 PF SE's skid plate after one oil change, cutting my wife's Jetta's brake lines after complimentary oil change...). The other one was good, the service writer used to replace my remotes for free when they got banged up, did head gasket for my sister's altima out of warranty as "good will". Then they got a new manager who tightened the reigns (they started to charge $225 for MIL reset). I noticed that really bad dealer also got a new manager, so I thought perhaps I should try them again.

I really wanted to replace the MAF myself and be done with it, but then Courtesy quoted $420+ for new one, and I wanted to get it done under extended warranty. I am just mad that they would try to milk an additional $200 out of me when they already got $500+ in parts from warranty and God knows, 3 to 10 hours of labor...

I guess in the long run, the extended warranty was worth it (saved $200 over buying from courtesynissan.com and doing it myself, and saved $300 over getting it done at dealer out of warranty). I just wish the stupid mechanics and service managers will get over their inferiority complex and not try to ram one up someone everytime they bring a car in. I think this is worse in our area because the area has alot of doctors, lawyers, and corporate people, all with letters after their names. That's fine that they want to milk them, but I think it's a crime when humbly paid scientists are the collateral damage.

Man, don't even get me started about the cops around here (except my town). Did any of you watch "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"? As strange as that movie was, it was so accurately portrayed...