[steve80]

Hi,


Recently I noticed my 2017 PF sputtering while in Drive when I'm stopped at a red light.


My wife and I looked around to see if it was someone with a loud stereo with death metal music and subwoofers blasting... but nope, it was the engine/exhaust making the noise.


I put it in Neutral and the RPMs increased and the sputtering stopped. Put it back in Drive and the RPMs dropped and it started sputtering again.


It has 33,000 KM on it and I've only ever changed the oil.


Any thoughts?




Thanks!

 

[jman]

Something loose underneath that vibrates only while idling?

 

[steve80]

Something loose underneath that vibrates only while idling?

Idling in Neutral is silent though, only when idling in Drive.

 

[jman]

RPMs drop a bit when in Drive and that could be the trigger, engines vibrate more when they go below certain RPMs.
Start with what YOU can diagnose, look for a loose heat shield or other components.
Since you are under warranty, next step is to go to the stealership.

 

[Steven Kohler]

When the engine is cold, look underneath and try to move the exhaust system. It should have some flex, but not too much.

 

[MartinGurnee]

Clean throttle body ,and Idle Air Volume Learning (app cvtz50 - 5$)

http://cvtz50.info/en/

I cleaned the throttle body, the car was new

 

[steve80]

Hm, I shouldn't need to clean the TB already, only has 33,000 KM on it (2017).


I used to do this monthly on my 2000 Grand Cherokee that was at 200,000 KM before I bought the PF.


I'll take a look though.

 

[PathJag]

What fixed it I have the same issues

Hm, I shouldn't need to clean the TB already, only has 33,000 KM on it (2017).


I used to do this monthly on my 2000 Grand Cherokee that was at 200,000 KM before I bought the PF.


I'll take a look though.

 

[joclyn]

i've experienced this same sputtering too. 2017 with not even 14,000 miles on it.

what was the final word on this, steve?

 

[steve80]

dealer found nothing (no codes), it still happens here and there, im at 40,000 km now.

it's so random, and doesn't show on the RPMs... not sure what it would even be.

 

[PoManzPathy]

When it's in the conditions where the sputtering happens, are the RPMs different than when it doesn't sputter? I'm wondering if there's a defective engine mount.

FWIW, we had 90K miles on our 2016 Nissan Quest which has the same basic engine/CVT drivetrain as the PF and was smooth as butta with never needing to clean the throttle body.

 

[steve80]

no, the RPMs are not impacted at all with or without sputtering. It's more of a bump bump bumping in the transmission as we can feel it more below us than infront.

 

[PoManzPathy]

I would have a look under the hood, with the vehicle idling in drive with the parking brake set, wheels cocked and somebody in the driver's seat. Just to see if you can see/feel the vibrations.

 

[ummduh]

my 17 has started misfiring when cold at the first few stops. Only so far in cold weather, below 50F. I've pulled up the misfire counters. I'm at 80k miles right now and it started last winter with around 70k.It's probably what you're feeling as well. It's pretty subtle.

I haven't really looked into it, but was thinking of trying to clean the throttle body. I'm getting pretty close to plugs as well, so if I have to pull it all apart I'll do it all at the same time.

 

[PoManzPathy]

Are you able to see recordable misfires? Has the check engine light ever come on?

I doubt it would be throttle body related given the 2017+ use direct fuel injection, but a TB cleaning couldn't hurt.

Once the upper intake manifold is removed for a spark plug change out, id be interested in seeing how dirty the back sides of the intake valves are and if they'll need walnut blasting like lots of DI engines need from time to time.

Super carboned up intake valves could cause misfires.

 

[ummduh]

Are you able to see recordable misfires? Has the check engine light ever come on?

I doubt it would be throttle body related given the 2017+ use direct fuel injection, but a TB cleaning couldn't hurt.

Once the upper intake manifold is removed for a spark plug change out, id be interested in seeing how dirty the back sides of the intake valves are and if they'll need walnut blasting like lots of DI engines need from time to time.

Super carboned up intake valves could cause misfires.

I haven't had an opportunity to watch it happen, but I am able to see the misfire counters. It has now started doing it even in warm weather. The check engine light has never come on (yet).

 

[PoManzPathy]

Did your 2017 just start doing this or has it always done it?

I've got a steering component noise on my 2019 that I'm trying to troubleshoot so I started it cold with the hood up the other day.

There definitely sounds like a very mild, subtle cold start misfire on mine that you can hear as a burble through the exhaust. It seemed to last maybe 20-30sec, but this was an 85-90degF day.

Like may be mentioned above, one of the large causes of misfires on DI engines is carbon build up on the intake valves because no fuel washes across them with DI. Problem is, our 2017+ are so new yet, I haven't heard any reports of this.

 

[ummduh]

It has always had the initial startup misfire, to a point. That aspect hasn't changed at all over time. Besides listening for it you'd never notice it. I'm not sure if it is an actual misfire.

This idle low load misfire started last winter. My commute consists of about 6 blocks to the Freeway, with 2 stop lights. Then 25 minutes on the Freeway. So it started missing obviously last winter, at the first couple of lights (within about a mile of my house). But once it was up to operating temp it seemed like it went away.

Just today I noticed it doing it at every stop. I hadn't noticed that in the past.

I suppose it is possible it is transmission related, usually I only drive it to and from work and don't want to sit on the scanner checking these things, ya know?

We also had a little tiff with our dealer and am hesitant to bring it back there. We have a 100k drive train warranty but I don't remember what is in it. Pretty sure it's just hard parts.

 

[jman]

Open a claim with Nissan and send them the data you have collected. Miss-fires will destroy your cats.

 

[PoManzPathy]

Those counts may be within the acceptable range unfortunately. They surely are per the vehicle's own monitoring system, or it would have set a misfire code by now.

Knowing how dealers roll with no codes, no problems, I don't see dealers intervening here unless you want to pay for an "induction cleaning" or possibly new spark plugs, etc..