Service Engine Soon light and engine noise
02-23-2004, 07:46 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 3
Service Engine Soon light and engine noise
I am posting this here because these are service items which appear to be the same as 98 Maxima.
I recently purchased a 1998 Infiniti I30 Automatic and have had several problems which I am uncertain how to solve. The vehicle has 68,000 miles and is generally in great shape. It has consistently gotten over 20 mpg in a combination of city and highway.
Shortly after getting the car, the Service Engine Soon light came on solid yellow. I did some research and pulled the codes. The flashing readout was 0304 0309 and 0705 (not necessarily in that order since they keep repeating). I understand that 0304 is the knock sensor and that it generally doesn't turn on the light. The 0309 doesn't seem to appear in any of the listings that I have found for this car. The 0705 is a leak in the evap control system. I reset the system and after about 850 miles the light came on again with the same codes. Further I took it to Auto Zone who used a OBD II code reader and pulled the following codes:
0325 Knock Sensor
0440 Evap Control System
0325 Knock Sensor
1448 Aux Emissions
Looks like a different numbering system but essentially the same issues. I again reset the system and last evening after driving another 250 miles the light again came on and I pulled the same codes as before. Since my gas milage is OK, the Knock Sensor doesn't seem to be having a detrimental effect on the car (most of what I have read indicates that this code does not turn on the light). It seems that the main problem that is likely turning on the light is the emission system.
I hesitate to take this to an Infiniti dealer because I am suspect they will just start changing parts. Also it will be hard to determine if they fixed the problem since the light seems to stay off for substantial periods of time. If the light were not coming on I would have just assumed that all was fine as the car runs extremely well.
I did replace the gas cap the last time the light came on figuring that would be a cheap fix if it were bad but to no avail.
I have a second concern. After driving around 70 mph for a period of time I sometimes hear an intermitant knocking coming from the engine area when the car comes to a stop. This can only be heard when the car is stopped and in drive and even then fades in and out. (The oil is recently changed and all fluids are at their top marks.) This noise does not happen all of the time. Reading some posts on the forums the sound seems similar to those in discussions that I have read related to a timing chain tensioner guide. However, since the noise is so intermittant I am not quite sure if it is a current problem, a future problem, or possibly just how this car sounds from time to time and not a problem at all.
If anyone with experience in any of these areas can shed some light on these issues I would be very grateful. If all else fails I will probably just take it to an independant mechanic and have them scope out these issues. Would an independant be recommmended over a dealer to work on these types of things? Whom ever I go to, I would like to narrow down what I ask them to do to save money and if these things are easy to diagnose would even attempt to fix myself if it can be done without a lot of expertise or equipment.
These seem to be nice cars and hopefully these issues are easily and cheaply resolved. Thanks for any advice that you can provide.
I recently purchased a 1998 Infiniti I30 Automatic and have had several problems which I am uncertain how to solve. The vehicle has 68,000 miles and is generally in great shape. It has consistently gotten over 20 mpg in a combination of city and highway.
Shortly after getting the car, the Service Engine Soon light came on solid yellow. I did some research and pulled the codes. The flashing readout was 0304 0309 and 0705 (not necessarily in that order since they keep repeating). I understand that 0304 is the knock sensor and that it generally doesn't turn on the light. The 0309 doesn't seem to appear in any of the listings that I have found for this car. The 0705 is a leak in the evap control system. I reset the system and after about 850 miles the light came on again with the same codes. Further I took it to Auto Zone who used a OBD II code reader and pulled the following codes:
0325 Knock Sensor
0440 Evap Control System
0325 Knock Sensor
1448 Aux Emissions
Looks like a different numbering system but essentially the same issues. I again reset the system and last evening after driving another 250 miles the light again came on and I pulled the same codes as before. Since my gas milage is OK, the Knock Sensor doesn't seem to be having a detrimental effect on the car (most of what I have read indicates that this code does not turn on the light). It seems that the main problem that is likely turning on the light is the emission system.
I hesitate to take this to an Infiniti dealer because I am suspect they will just start changing parts. Also it will be hard to determine if they fixed the problem since the light seems to stay off for substantial periods of time. If the light were not coming on I would have just assumed that all was fine as the car runs extremely well.
I did replace the gas cap the last time the light came on figuring that would be a cheap fix if it were bad but to no avail.
I have a second concern. After driving around 70 mph for a period of time I sometimes hear an intermitant knocking coming from the engine area when the car comes to a stop. This can only be heard when the car is stopped and in drive and even then fades in and out. (The oil is recently changed and all fluids are at their top marks.) This noise does not happen all of the time. Reading some posts on the forums the sound seems similar to those in discussions that I have read related to a timing chain tensioner guide. However, since the noise is so intermittant I am not quite sure if it is a current problem, a future problem, or possibly just how this car sounds from time to time and not a problem at all.
If anyone with experience in any of these areas can shed some light on these issues I would be very grateful. If all else fails I will probably just take it to an independant mechanic and have them scope out these issues. Would an independant be recommmended over a dealer to work on these types of things? Whom ever I go to, I would like to narrow down what I ask them to do to save money and if these things are easy to diagnose would even attempt to fix myself if it can be done without a lot of expertise or equipment.
These seem to be nice cars and hopefully these issues are easily and cheaply resolved. Thanks for any advice that you can provide.
02-23-2004, 12:42 PM
#2
Sounds like I would replace my knock sensor first. You can get that off e-bay for about $90 shipped or from mail-order. Parts America comes to mind. That just might fix all the other codes.
The timing chain tensioner is a common problem with this engine. You can either get the tensior replaced or live with the noise. Switching to a 10W-30 oil seems to help a little bit. Just let your car warm up when starting it each morning. That's what I'm doing with mine. Your tensioner seems to be rattling when it's warm. That's more serious, so I would take in to a mechanic. I think the kit is about $50-75. The labor is what gets you. Good Luck!!
The timing chain tensioner is a common problem with this engine. You can either get the tensior replaced or live with the noise. Switching to a 10W-30 oil seems to help a little bit. Just let your car warm up when starting it each morning. That's what I'm doing with mine. Your tensioner seems to be rattling when it's warm. That's more serious, so I would take in to a mechanic. I think the kit is about $50-75. The labor is what gets you. Good Luck!!
02-23-2004, 02:21 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 106
Sometimes the ECU can throw an additional code for another issue that is simply being affected by a main component, but not at fault. I would start with replacing the knock sensor, which based on my knowledge will light the MIL if it has completely failed. The 'silent' code is present only when the KS is functional but not working correctly. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong/
The KS is Nissan part no. 22060-30P00. Call around for the bst price or find it on-line. There's on on ebay right now. Good luck.
The KS is Nissan part no. 22060-30P00. Call around for the bst price or find it on-line. There's on on ebay right now. Good luck.
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