Dipping RPM when braking

[zj92908]

2003 SE AWD, 85,000 miles - purchased the MO two weeks ago from local Nissan dealer and recently noticed the dip in RPM.

Some background info: In 03.2008, CVT was replaced @ 51,000 miles by Nissan dealer. In 10.2009, throttle body cleaned & air-intake recall performed @ 70,000 miles by Nissan dealer.

My concern: When braking, have noticed that the RPM dips. This only happens when the speed is reduced between 10mph & 15mph when braking; rpm's dip from 1000rpm to 500rpm. The engine does not stall or have any hesitation when this happens.

I am not a mechanic by any means, so any feedback is greatly appreciated...since the MO is still fairly new to me, did not know if this is normal or not.

[njjoe]

My guess is the RPM dip coincides with the torque converter clutch unlocking.

That is a common phenomenon with MOs.

-njjoe

[Pilgrim]

It wouldn't concern me at all...for the reason njjoe mentions.

[zj92908]

Thanks, njjoe & Pilgrim! I am guessing there is no "fix" for this...

[njjoe]

Originally Posted by zj92908

Thanks, njjoe & Pilgrim! I am guessing there is no "fix" for this...

You can't fix it if it ain't broken.

Trust me, just like the rest of us, you will soon get use to it.

-njjoe

[zj92908]

LOL, thanks njjoe

Another item I am going to ping you about: flex pipes rattling. The flex pipes are rattling/vibrating...the noise is more annoying that anything...from everything that I have read on-line, you can't just purchased new flex pipes, the entire piping must be replaced. The independent dealer I took the MO to indicated it's not an issue right now, but it will need to be replaced, eventually. Is this a known issue w/the MO? Do you know what the factory warranty is on the 2003 MO exhaust? Thanks!

[njjoe]

A 2003 MO? That warranty is long gone.

However, I do have some good news. Chances are very good that the rattling noise is not coming from the flex pipe, but from the heat shields surrounding the flex pipes. That is not an uncommon problem. It happen to my MO and I fixed it by replacing the broken bracket with a perfect-circle clamp.

-njjoe

[zj92908]

Thanks, njjoe!

I just got back from the Nissan dealer and you were right...just needed to add a clamp on the heat shield...total was $1.51! However, I also had the rear pads and rotors replaced today by the same Nissan dealer, all OEM parts, total was $357.77. I anticipated the rear brakes and rotors to be more, but I am not complaining!

Thanks again for all of your feedback and assistance!