Nissan Pathfinder 2008 cutting out/won't rev/loosing power (vid included)

salad17

Hi,

My 2008 2.5L diesel pathfinder has a number of power symptoms:

• Suddenly being unable to rev past 1500 revs, either in gear or in neutral
• Suddenly being unable to rev past 2500 revs, but if I keep the foot down in neutral it'll very slowly creep up until it suddenly "bursts through" as if a blockage is being cleared, and rev normally. Also works when driving in gear, but the power to drive is very low before bursting through
• Stalls, then when restarted it runs for 2 seconds and cuts out again. Will repeat for a while before starting and behaving normally
• Also sometimes makes a skidding noise when stuck in these low end power dips, and I'm wondering if that's the clutch slipping? But there's no clutch smell.

Been done:

• Turbo was whistling when I bought it, have replaced the turbo (But the 4cm diameter hose coming from the turbo has come off numerous times, and I'm not sure if that's related)
• Fuel filter had been changed just before I got it
• MAF sensor has been changed

Any idea what the problem could be, or where to check first?

Thanks!

https://youtube.com/shorts/VKALdeRuEnI?si=2VUQKPH9_xLcU1PJ

sirmixalot

Not in limp mode by any chance? DPF regen? I have an xtrail that had similar problems to yours, some not all but the top two for sure.

doctorchopper

Suction control valve is a common fault with the pathfinder/navara's

CMOTDibbler

Sounds like fuel starvation. Which could be the suction control valve as suggested above. Running rough, cutting out, not revving properly.

salad17

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095992#Comment_123095992

Thanks, will look into this, it's a new suggestion anyway. It's on and off though, most of the time it works/drives/revs perfectly normally, then just switches into this. When you say sounds like, do you mean the video does?

salad17

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095574#Comment_123095574

Possibly, seems like limp mode but I don't know what to do with that. I know there were issues with the brake sensor putting pathfinders into limp mode but it's not that. Will look into DPF as well, but how would I check that?

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123096291#Comment_123096291

Yeah, the video. Very lumpy sounding. Usually fuel related. I'd have said fuel filter as an option too.

sirmixalot

A diagnostic in a garage will tell you if it's that, they can then trick it or force a regeneration, high revs etc, gets the exhaust really hot and burns it out.

I take mine at least once a month or more down the motorway and drive it hard for a few mins, maybe 120 in 5th gear getting well over 3k revs to clear it out.

Only thing that keeps my yoke happy as I only do local runs in it really.

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123096297#Comment_123096297

If the DPF is blocked, or needs cleaning, that should show up on the dash as an engine management light. From your video, you're not getting that.

Usually a blocked DPF is caused by worn glow plugs. They're used when regenerating the DPF and if they're worn, it won't work.

salad17

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123096882#Comment_123096882

Thanks, I've definitely done that, driven at high revs to get some heat there, even put dipthane in but didnt seem to do anything.

A scan definitely seems like the next step, previus 2 mechanics that had it in for other works didn't seem to have the tools to scan it properly.

Someone also suggested it might have been remapped (badly) to skip the EGR and that could be causing the symptoms.. I don't know anything about remapping other than that boy racers do it to make their cars louder and more smokey 😂 would that be a possibility??

Thanks for your help everyone so far! This is so frustrating when it happens, specially with traffic behind you!

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123113232#Comment_123113232

I'm not sure it's that common to take out the EGR and remap. They're relatively easy to clean, so it seems a lot of faff just to avoid an hour's work. And not mad expensive if you want to replace.

But the DPF is another story. Lots of people taking them out, getting the innards cut out and then put back in the car. The engine has to be remapped to adjust for the change in exhaust pressure and make sure warning lights and related errors are gone. It's illegal btw.

sirmixalot

Balls, sorry that. Nothing more frustrating. You'll find out it was some poxy sensor that shouldn't have anything to do with it but has! Anyway let us know if you get sorted, be interested to hear what the issue/fix is.

salad17

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123113297#Comment_123113297

Is that for more power?

That should show up if I get it scanned anyway should it? Yeah no engine light anyway, just have the battery and handbrake light on which I'm not sure why, my alternnator was overcharging but I had it changed but it's still overcharging and the mechanic is stumped!

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123114027#Comment_123114027

No, it's to avoid the expense of getting a new DPF. Which are usually in the thousands. You can get them cleaned for around 500 and that works. But as I said, taking them out is illegal. DPF stands for diesel particulate filter which stops the engine pushing those particles into the air and poisoning people.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123113297#Comment_123113297

You don’t need to physically take out the EGR, its just software that blanks it off. The DPF needs to be physically removed tho which is why its a more expensive job

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123114623#Comment_123114623

Having had EGR valves off and cleaned them, I can only stand aghast at what's likely to happen to your exhaust system if it's left to fester.

salad17

So step 1: Clean the EGR valve

Step 2: Get it scanned, ask if it could be the SCV

Worth cleaning the throttle body as well?

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123116175#Comment_123116175

I wouldn't think step 1 is necessary. You're not getting an engine management light on your dash and afaik, if your EGR valve is gunged up, that light will come on.

Step 1 for the moment should be to get the car scanned for any errors. Don't do anything else until that's done.

salad17

It's been a while, but I finally got it scanned and yes, suction control valve appears to be the culprit! Have ordered another one and also taken one off my scrap car just to see how easy/hard it was to do. Considering putting the scrap one on but not sure if that's a bad idea!