Leaving work yesterday and on the hiway I gassed it to get around a semi and I heard a pop and then the car went dead. I coasted to a stop tried to restart a few time and it fires up, stumbles, then dies. No check engine light but I think my cvt crapped out or the fuel pump went. 39,000 miles.

Sucks as last year I had the timing chain go in my Juke and then a blown turbo. Nissan ended up buying that car back from me. My dealer is taking car of me though as he put me in a loaner and picked up the towing tab. Ill report back when I find out what the problem is.

 

Def keep us updated mine just hit 30xxx

 

Any hint of a transmission or engine problem prior to this incident? What model year is your Max?

 

My Maxima is a 2012.

Update: This is strange! I guess the air filter exploded and sent pieces flying. It took out the Maf sensor which shorted out and caused my car to die while driving. They said the battery is also dead which is also the factory battery. So after a clean up, new Maf sensor, battery, and air filter my car should be ready today.

Crazy that would take my car down but at least it wasn't something more major.

 

Kinda happy it wasn't the cvt.

 

What kind of air filter?

 

More cost cutting to the maxima!!

 

How does an air filter "explode"?

 

It explodes when you can't figure out why the hell else it stopped working lol really though. They gave you no further explanation? Sketch.

 

Most likely a rodent made a nest in the A/F box, chewed it up...does the car seem to smell of squirrel or chipmunk from the tailpipe?

 

Consider that a lucky break! What kind of air filter was in there anyway? Did you request photos be taken for documentation? Or at least request to be present to observe before the stealership does any "repairs"?

 

There is no way on earth I would take that as an explanation! Air filters don't just blow up, something had to cause it and they need to figure out what it was....

 

I was thinking the exact same thing. I've had numerous cars and trucks and never heard of an air filter "exploding". They have to do way better than that to convince me that was the issue. I also don't buy the furry rodent theory as someone else pointed out as a possible cause.

I know rodents are creative when it comes to getting into tight places. But the airbox on the Maxima is thick enough that they can't just chew through it and if it's a daily driven car that would deter them too. Sounds weak to me, I would ask to see pictures of this "blown up" air filter.

 

If there was blockage to the point to cause an explosion(which doesnt even sound possible) than the car wouldnt of been drivable. The intake is not under pressure. Maybe you did some type of mod which you aren't willing to admit.

 

zoemayne, I think he'd admit it to us here don't you think?

 

car did not backfire on you, did it?

i had an airbox exploded in a severe backfire, that car had timing issues though.

definitely interested in seeing the report from the dealership.

 

Car still won't be ready till noon tomorrow. I'll find out more then. They asked if it was an aftermarket air filter. I said you tell me as I've always had it serviced at this dealership(who I love btw). Just had an oil change and 24 point inspection done and they told me then the filter was fine so I'm kind off the hook for that I think. Anyways I will post more if I find out more tomorrow. Oh and my car is garaged every night. Very doubltful a rodent got inside my engine.

 

Definately interested in hearing what caused this.

 

My Max is back home and feeling well! So it was the air filter that caused the whole problem. The service manager said it folded and got sucked up and then eventually broke apart into pieces sending pieces flying and shorted out the MAF sensor. Also got a new Nissan battery dated 3/15 and they cleaned up the battery cables. He said it was a factory Nissan air filter and this is the first time he has ever seen an air filter fail in any car. Crazy but I couldn't find any ill effects driving it home.

 

Curious to know if any of those "pieces" went into your engine, then there is a possibility you will be back there sooner than later

 

No doubt, the whole thing sounds a little strange to say the least.

 

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

regardless it sounds like your dealership was really trying to make sure they made it right, Its good to hear a rather positive dealer experience here and there.

 

I agree with everyone else. This explanation sounds very strange.

A more believeable situation would be that your battery exploded and damaged your air filter housing. Not the other way around.

 

You're not really asking him to bend down and sniff his tailpipes? LOL

 

Well, yes. And I think we'll all sleep better knowing the Max is not prone to self ingestion of air filters

FWIW, there is a slight difference in the smell of a burnt squirrel vs a fried
chippy.