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2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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Nick89
Novice
Jun 29, 2010, 1:22 AM
Post #1 of 9
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2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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OK:
2007
Nissan
Versa
1.8 - MR18DE MANUAL transmission.
17194 Miles
I got this car used from a Nissan dealer ship back in November of 09.
Let me start off by saying that I have driven this car hard at times. But I never Redline it. There was only one time and it was because I missed a shift.
There are no check engine lights on.
I noticed the idling problem when I was in line at a drive-thru around January. I had the car in neutral and the clutch was not pressed in.
The engine went from idling smooth at around 900RPM to clumbering around at 500 then went back to around 900 again. I cannot recreate this. This seems to be a rare occurrence as it has only happened three times that I can remember.
In the last two months it has started to not want to start. Let me start by saying it is not the battery. The engine turns over fine but will not start on the first try but will always start on the second. This does not always happen sometimes it starts fine.
Today however it didn't start the first two tries but on the third.
another thing is I can hear a faint noise like a bearing going out when I rev the engine to around 2-3K RPM while parked. It does not happen when the engine is under load and it is very hard to tell it is even there if the windows are rolled up. I can also notice it in everyday driving if the car is at a stop light and I rev the engine a little.
^EDIT: Just tested to see If I could hear it again, I could not get it to make the noise at start up(car had been sitting for 6 hours) I drove it down the street and back and parked it. It started making the sound now when I gently reved it. I tested to see if the noise was different if the car was in gear with the clutch in or in neutral it was not. The noise only occurred at the peak of a rev right as the needle would go back down. The noise sounded like a soft GRINDING. The noise doesn't last long only about two seconds then the engine sounds fine at idle.
EDIT: Another thing I remembered is that The RPM will drop a bit when I turn the headlights on and also when the A/C is turned on. The radio Also.
The fluctuation is about 100 RPM.
I have rebuilt the engine in a 1967 El Camino with my uncle, and I helped a friend install turbos and other parts on his Subaru impreza and rebuild the engine. So I can tell when a sound is wrong. But I'm not good with the engine computer stuff.
Those are just some examples to show my level of knowledge.
Unfortunately I know little to nothing about my Versa. I could change the oil, flush the rad basic stuff like that. I know how to read OBD2(google the codes) but I don't have a reader.
Thanks in advance.
(This post was edited by Nick89 on Jun 29, 2010, 5:31 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 29, 2010, 4:57 AM
Post #2 of 9
(4450 views)
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Re: 2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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I'd get codes read anyway but it seems this poor thing has been beat up so bad there's mechanical engine problems confusing start and idle computer controlled devices. You hear a noise now so chase that down like you would for a 67 El Camino - compression, vacuum testing and canceling cylinders to diagnose what is the most likely failure.
BTW, IMO - holding idle at 3,000 with no load is full abuse! What are you thinking about?
T
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Nick89
Novice
Jun 29, 2010, 5:25 AM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: 2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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Thank you for the reply, I'm going to goto autozone and see if its giving any codes.
And I need to rephrase what I said, I wasnt holding it at 3K. I was revving it up between 2-3K and letting it go back to idle to try and create the noise. I don't rev it up like that normally.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 29, 2010, 5:52 AM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: 2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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The noise does bug me and I'm sure you. The computer is really just doing what even very old fashioned things did mechanically. It knows temps, pressures, and its own idle speed and makes those adjustments based on the same things as it ever was designed just converted to an electrical impulse for the damn computer to decide for you.
The idle drop with A/C load or even the alternator when headlights (big load you don't realize) works the engine pretty hard but should be compensated and idle stay within set specs.
Can't say for all but some codes will be stored before it sets a check engine light in many cars. If minor it will wait to see if the problem of something being out of spec stays that way or just temporary. Take codes with a grain of salt. They lead you to the area of trouble but don't plain say what part must be replaced or anything - yet!
Keep in mind. by 2007 and earlier the car is monitoring tons of info. Vehicle speed, load, gear it's in, RPM, - should know air speed into throttle body, make adjustments for altitude and the list goes on.
Under all of it is still a piston engine with valves like they've fundamentally been for ions. The sensors monitoring everything with such a new car and low miles should have failed right away when new or lasted this long. Hard to abuse a sensor really short of messing with wiring.
It's the noise combined with low or starting issues that probably is confusing a working sensor with possibly a real mechanical problem,
T
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Nick89
Novice
Jun 29, 2010, 2:52 PM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: 2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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Well I'm thinking the noise is the throw out bearing at this point.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 29, 2010, 4:00 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: 2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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Anything is possible but the throwout bearing is really just going along for the ride when your foot is OFF the clutch. Could it rattle in there - maybe?? There more known for a growl or whirring than a knocking sound if bad,
T
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Nick89
Novice
Jun 29, 2010, 9:21 PM
Post #7 of 9
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Re: 2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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Got the OBD readout done at auto zone today and no codes came up.
I didn't know it was that easy.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 30, 2010, 12:55 AM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: 2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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Can you isolate the noise to any one cylinder? Canceling a cylinder one at a time is telling if one makes it worse or better by doing so.
I'm caught up in the noise and may be off on the wrong tangent as that being the root cause. From listening rod/stethoscope, compression testing, vacuum testing something should show with an idle that can't stay in spec.
The car probably used an idle air control device to self adjust idle. Some may use a motor to hold idle up or let it down as needed somewhat like a cruise control for speed.
Not all faults if mechanical will show a code. Plain not running properly eventually will throw a code. There's a grace period for start up when engine takes a second or several to stabilize before it's performance will be recorded right up thru when warmed up most engines are putting out bits too much of emissions and forgiven for the short while.
Not all code readings are equal. Some are much more comprehensive.
For now I'd chase down the noise and check for anything out of order with plug in items and the integrity of all air intake items. Spray for vacuum leaks wouldn't hurt either to rule that out,
T
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Nick89
Novice
Jun 30, 2010, 3:17 AM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: 2007 Nissan Versa having trouble starting and Idling problems
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Unfortunately I don't have the time or the tools to get down and dirty with this thing.
I really appreciate your help Tom.
I'm going to take it to the dealership when I get a chance. Its still under warranty.
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