CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Just as I've been saying there are gas stations out there selling you 93 octane but in reality you're getting some mixed 93, 87, 91 go here to http://www.khou.com/news/Records-sho...-70233502.html and check out the gas station article....I've always suspected this and stopped getting gas from those stations when pinging was evident after fueling up @ that particular location!

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

My SES code is P0507 - High Idle. Apparently the throttle body valve was compromised by the cleaning service. You can't read this forum without knowing how insanely sensitive that valve is on the 5.5 gen. The technician who processed the cleaning service was following generic instructions from BG Products. There was nothing specific about *****-footing around the valve on the VQ35.

So the dealership will be replacing the valve, and BG Products said they will pay the bill. Everybody is standing behind their work and their product.

But to the point of this thread: the BG Products "Upper Engine Cleaning Service" has completely eliminated the pinging in my Maxima. The engine is running very smooth, and very strong. To that end, I couldn't be happier.

About the throttle body valve and the SES... that's all been figured out, and will be fixed soon enough. Again, I'm happy.

sontakke

I don't want to beat a dead horse but try to find youtube video about similar 3M product called DIY Fuel System Tuneup Kit. They specifically tell you to turn on the ignition key (but the engine is NOT running) and then have a helper to push the gas pedal to move the throttle plate around. That method works on regular and drive by wire throttle systems.

I am surprised that BG did not have updated instructions for generic drive-by-wire throttles. Majority of late model vehicles these days have drive-by-wire throttle. I don't know if they are all as sensitive as the 3.5 though. Why 3.5 can not be reset has always been a mystery to me. I mean how difficult could it be for the computer to be told that now the throttle plate is closed completely and use the readings that you get as the base.

Speculation:- In your case, computer thinks it has closed the throttle completely and is still getting 900 RPM idle, so it throws a code. The reason idle is high is that the throttle plate is misaligned after moving manually to clean it so it is not really closed completely. But that sounds too simple to fix assuming you could manually close it completely.

- Vikas

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

Rochester-thanks for the update. The BG locator showed the Nissan dealer here in Arlington does the service. I had a similar service done on my old Accord and it definitely made a difference in smoothness and got a small gain in mileage. Didn't have a pinging problem with that car though.

I get the light ping or rattle from 1700-2200 rpm, and even octane booster didn't help.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

More on this...

Although BG Products will pay for the parts and labor (which amounts to somewhere south of $500), I personally did not want to have the dealership do this work if it wasn't necessary. I mean, it's been about 100 miles on the car since the cleaning service, and the car runs excellent without any pinging; except for this high idle problem that they couldn't resolve.

So this morning, I took the kitchen timer to work with me, and sat in the parking lot with the manual Idle Re-learn Procedure instructions. I went through the dance 3 times before getting it right... and it took! My idle has returned to normal. Later tonight I'm going to do the dance for the ECU reset to clear the SES light and codes.

I gotta tell you, I'm feeling pretty empowered right about now. It's kind of silly, I know, but I really didn't want to replace a working, installed (and now clean) throttle body valve.

[edited]

Well, crap. Although the idle was perfect when restarting after the Idle Relearn, it was not correct on subsequent restarts. I verified that again this afternoon: warm up, reset, restart = perfect. Restart again = fail.

So now I'm having the TB replaced next week. (color me sad again)

sontakke

I recall somebody saying that they had to do this procedure *Twice in a Row*; I believe he meant
warm up, reset, restart = perfect, reset, restart
and now he claimed it remained perfect.

- Vikas

D's036spd

iTrader: (1)

It's the throttle body for sure.... I had the exact same problem after doing my spacers and cleaning the throttle body, but I just pushed the flap manually without any concern for it at all! Anyway, start the car, high idle code... I tired everything including all the ecu reset and relearn at least 100 times(I know how to do it from memory now), including unplugging the injectors to manually lower the rpm... After I went crazy, I bought a new throttle body from the dealership, installed, did the relearn and it's perfect again... I know sooner had to get a new ecu for some reason but wasn't necessary for me. My car use to ping like crazy too, until I put my headers on and got rid of the totally plugged precats, switched to 94 fuel and now it'll only give me a small little ping once and a while which is normal... Still going to switch to a 350z Tstat and do a coolant flush at the same time. Also got the ecu updated through Nissan, that helped too... Good luck!

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

OK, I'll try that, although I'm not feeling too positive about it:

reset, restart, reset, restart... restart = ?

Made an appointment for next Wed to get a new TB on BG's dime. I'd really rather avoid having the dealership muck around with the engine, particularly since I've got those spacers installed... but I'm not seeing any way around this. And it's just upper-engine stuff, anyway.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

Thanks, man. I really appreciate reading that. Makes me feel better about replacing the TB.

You seem to know a lot for a 16-post lurker

D's036spd

iTrader: (1)

Lol ya I read more than I talk! I felt alot better too after I installed the TB, did the relearn process, shut off the car, started it up and it was idle perfect... I almost started jumping up and down! I tried everything including the 2 time relearn, I did 5 times... Unplugged the battery for 3 days while leaving the headlght switch on to completly drain the ecu... Nothing worked besides the new throttle body. Note to self: DONT MOVE BUTTERFLY IN THROTTLE BODY!!

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

Dealership replaced the throttle body today. Nice, new parts. The idle is perfect once again.

Best of all, BG Products paid 100% of the parts & labor for this repair. That's pretty awesome for them to stand behind their warranty that way. It says a lot about a company that they would do that.

So... the pinging is back to normal, the car runs better, and I've got a shiny new throttle body out of the deal. All in all, I'm very happy. Just took a little patience and education.

The patience I'm learning as I age. The education... Maxima.org.

D's036spd

iTrader: (1)

That's beautiful man! Glad it all worked out for ya and didn't cost you anything too... It's nice when things go right!

chrcoal02

i have 2 02's they both knock periodically, be consistent with your gas always use 93 and change the oil early, around 2000-2500. keep air filter clean and if you drive on empty often you should replace the filters.

chrcoal02

if the car was hesitating. you may need to check your coil packs. not an easy job. valve cover gaskets go bad an let oil in the chamber this could ruin a plug and coil. if you'r handy the front three plugs are easy to check.

killer00

iTrader: (1)

Well, my advice is the sensors. I currently have knocking and pinging. this is the second time i had the problem. I got them changed and the problem was gone. But i think they got wet again. So yup, Im going to change them.

Roymg

Mine has never pinged...using midgrade gas. I was also told by the dealer there was no gas filter to change on my 03. Hard to beleive..no filter in front of the injectors!!!

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

Nissan calls is a "fuel strainer"; supposedly a lifetime filter. It's in the tank, accessed from under the rear seat. Lots of people here on the forum change it at least once during the lifetime of their car.

Here's one of the definitive write-ups on changing the fuel strainer:

http://www.shiftice.com/fuel_filter.html

Roymg

Thanks for the info site. Very good.