| 03 SL AWD : Engine misfiring, code P0301 - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| scho |
Hi All,
I am new to this forum and a proud owner of 03
Murano SL AWD, 52K Miles.
My problem is similar to the one describe here :
http://www.nissanmurano.org/forums/...=&postid=126836
Since yesterday, I can clearly see the engine misfiring quite frequently.
Gets worse on higher speeds. Gas cap and oil cap
are nice and tight. Autozone gave me the computer
code : P0301.
In my case the "service engine soon" light blinks
sometimes and then becomes steady... but it is never
off. When the light blinks, I can clearly notice that
misfiring gets worse.
One thing I should mention is that for the past two
times, I have filled up regular gas instead of
premium after a friend and a NYtimes article
convinced me to do so. Could this be a cause ?
I am going to see the dealer in 2 days.
However, I want to know if I should wait and fill in
premium gas or just go to the dealer straightaway.
From what I understand, I may be looking at a
steep bill for this one since I am out of warranty.
Any words appreciated.
-scho |
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| Eric L. |
The grade of gas (reg or prem) has nothing to do with the misfiring, unless the gas you got was terribly contaminated. The ECU takes a signal from the knock sensor to retard timing when using regular.
P301 is #1 cylinder misfire. Might be a bad spark plug or an emissions control issue.
You also don't need to tell the dealer you've been using regular, although regular is the required fuel. |
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| njjoe |
I doubt very much that the problem is caused by your switch from Premium to Regular-grade gas. That is just a coincidence.
It most likely is a problem with the fuel injector, spark plug, or ignition signal on the #1 cylinder. My money would be on a sticking fuel injector.
A persistent misfire could overheat the catalytic converters and cause them to fail. However, that would be only in the extreme case.
-njjoe |
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| scho |
EricL and njjoe,
Thanks for your quick responses.
I'll keep you posted on what it turns out to be
after paying the $98 diagnostic test special price that
the dealer quoted to me.
just for reference, I filled up at costco last time.
Thanks again for your responses.
Its great to have a forum like this.
-scho |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by scho
I'll keep you posted on what it turns out to be
after paying the $98 diagnostic test special price that
the dealer quoted to me.
If your MO is out of the Powertrain Warranty period then it might be better to avoid the Nissan dealer and take your car to a reputable mechanic.The service will most likely be better and definitely less expensive.
-njjoe |
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| ekaxel |
| As previously discussed (if you suspect a sticking injector), run 6.5 oz acetone with your next 2 tankfuls. You have nothing to lose and could save a bunch of money! |
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| scho |
All,
Thanks for your inputs so far.
This morning the dealer in my area looked at the car and told me that all 3 fuel injectors to bank 1 (which I suppose houses injectors for cylinders 1,3 and 5) need to be cleaned.
Here is a breakdown of charges :
6 hrs labor x $116.66 / hr = $700
3 injectors cleaning x 174.05 per injector = $522.15
for a total of 1222.15 + parts/materials/tax etc = $1366
For now I declined the service and parked the car.
I am wondering if I should let the dealer handle this and bite the bullet for $1366 or take it to another mechanic. I am definitely liking the ekaxel's idea of mixing acetone with gas but not sure if I have the leverage of driving 2 gas tankfuls without risking damage to the cat converter. I could have used this approach if the misfiring was infrequent. Any thoughts ?
I am also wondering why the need of fuel injection cleaning at 52K miles. Dealership agreed that its not common for this mileage. He just said that there is carbon buildup. Not sure if there is something I can do in future to avoid this situation.
Any alternative thoughts welcome.
Thanks again for your interest and time so far.
-scho |
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| Eric L. |
Geez for that price, you can probably just buy brand new fuel injectors. And those won't take 6 hrs to install! I would get an estimate from an independent shop to have all the fuel injectors cleaned - they'll probably quote you a price that is less than half what the dealer wanted.
Also, before you spend for a fuel injection pressure cleaning, I'd try one of the commercial additives like Chevron Techron Concentrate or BG44K. You don't have anything to lose.
quote:
Originally posted by scho
All,
Thanks for your inputs so far.
This morning the dealer in my area looked at the car and told me that all 3 fuel injectors to bank 1 (which I suppose houses injectors for cylinders 1,3 and 5) need to be cleaned.
Here is a breakdown of charges :
6 hrs labor x $116.66 / hr = $700
3 injectors cleaning x 174.05 per injector = $522.15
for a total of 1222.15 + parts/materials/tax etc = $1366
For now I declined the service and parked the car.
I am wondering if I should let the dealer handle this and bite the bullet for $1366 or take it to another mechanic. I am definitely liking the ekaxel's idea of mixing acetone with gas but not sure if I have the leverage of driving 2 gas tankfuls without risking damage to the cat converter. I could have used this approach if the misfiring was infrequent. Any thoughts ?
I am also wondering why the need of fuel injection cleaning at 52K miles. Dealership agreed that its not common for this mileage. He just said that there is carbon buildup. Not sure if there is something I can do in future to avoid this situation.
Any alternative thoughts welcome.
Thanks again for your interest and time so far.
-scho
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by scho
Here is a breakdown of charges :
6 hrs labor x $116.66 / hr = $700
3 injectors cleaning x 174.05 per injector = $522.15
for a total of 1222.15 + parts/materials/tax etc = $1366
For now I declined the service and parked the car.
:eek: WOW!!!
Nissan dealers know no shame.
Cylinder #1 is on the rear bank so there is a bit of work to get to the injectors, but 6 hours worth? :8: That seems like a lot.
The MSRP for the fuel injector is $144 and it can be purchased for $104. Your dealer wants $174 just to clean one. This fact alone would make me avoid your Nissan dealer
Do what Eric L. suggested and then find yourself a reputable independent mechanic.
-njjoe |
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| Mr3Putt |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
:eek: WOW!!!
The MSRP for the fuel injector is $144 and it can be purchased for $104. Your dealer wants $174 just to clean one. This fact alone would make me avoid your Nissan dealer
-njjoe
What is involved in cleaning the injector? Does it require the complete removal? If so, tell them to just replace the things...
WOW is right!!! That's dealer robbery. |
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| zebelkhan |
quote:
That's dealer robbery.
Hence term $tealers....:4: |
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