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R51 Pathfinder 2010 2.5 Facelift starting problems

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#21 ·
NISSANDY said:
I wish I could edit my original post. Another thing has come to mind. From time to time, quite rarely (months apart) it will go into limp mode, quite randomly. I stop, turn off the engine, restart and all is fine for days, weeks even months then it will do it again. Any speed from urban to motorway.
Click to expand...
My pathfinder would go into limp mode when sitting idling in traffic queues, it did it now and again and began to become more common. Based on the info from here I changed out the suction control valve and so far so good.
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
Long Update.
After a service in January time my previously trouble free car developed the starting problems I described. Namely, first start of the morning it turns over fine but struggles to actually start producing a large cloud of smoke, white in colour for about 10 seconds when it does. Therefafter it is absolutely fine all day starting on the button once driven until the next morning and it all happens again. If I dont drive after starting the starting problem persists. The service included fuel and airfilter. Glow plugs were changed as a result of the starting problem but this failed to solve the problem. Since then I have had 4 new injectors ( One was seized and tok 3 days for a specialist to remove) and a new suction control pump, the fuel filter has been changed for Nissan one.. I have re set the ECU. It ran better after the reset but still struggled to start. The fuel system has been pressurised for leaks and it is seen to be sound. Now the car is still struggling to start but less so than in winter producing less smoke. I now notice that their is a relationship between the morning weather temp and the car starting. Colder = harder start and more smoke, Milder + less problem and less smoke. I have disconnected the Engine Coolant Temp Sensor over night but this has made no difference. Following the engine temp I did give it a 10 minute drive and the EML light came on as you would expect with a disconnected ECT sensor. Following the temp theory, are there any other sensors that measure temp than can affect the starting parameters that I should check? I have not changed the ECT by the way. The ECU reports no faults prior to reset.
Thanks for reading.
 
#23 ·
landmannnn said:
Certainly when i had an airleak caused by a low quality filter, pumping it to hard beforehand stopped the spluttering and stalling when it was started.

The problem is more of air leaking in than diesel leaking out, not totally sure why though.
Click to expand...
The reason for air in and no diesel out is down the the injection pump, this sucks the fuel from the tank, creating a substantial vacuum.
 
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Discussion starter · #24 ·
Hot day and engine starts more readily!

Today is a hot day and to support my theory, starting was almost normal today, 3 or 4 turn over and a slight delay in catching and much less smoke. I am truly convinced this is a temperature thing. I just need to know what sensors are measuring temp and so influencing startup fueling parameters. Any ideas?
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
landmannnn said:
The maf reads the intake temperature.

Have you checked what it thinks using a code reader/app on your phone?

Has the maf been cleaned recently?
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I did check the MAF. It is as clean as a whistle. As if it is new. I have read the codes via the dash. It comes up clear 0000. I have not gone down using the phone. What d I need to do that...apart from the phone of course? If the MAF is cheap I may just swap it out along with the ECT. If it is temp, the engine must be fueling for a warm start hence it starting easier as we head into summer.

In answer to you question though, I didn't clean it! I will do that.
 
#27 ·
You can buy a cheap maf, but they are rubbish.

Assuming you have an android, buy a £10 Bluetooth Elm dongle off eBay. Download Torque, there is a free or paid for version.

You can now read about 70 sensors, including temperatures of various things.

I am sure that will help you troubleshoot
 
Discussion starter · #28 · (Edited)
landmannnn said:
You can buy a cheap maf, but they are rubbish.

Assuming you have an android, buy a £10 Bluetooth Elm dongle off eBay. Download Torque, there is a free or paid for version.

You can now read about 70 sensors, including temperatures of various things.

I am sure that will help you troubleshoot
Click to expand...
Hi, Bought the dongle and the Torque pro software. NO fault codes in ECU. Bought the EX Nissan plugin but it's not until you have bought it you find the the R51 YD25DDTi appears not to be included in the list of vehicles / engines.

On what appeared to be the hottest day of the year (25 degrees) the car started after two days with no trouble and just a whiff of smoke but now back to poor starting again. Really not sure what to do now. The bladder under the fuel pump is always soft and pumping it up to firm makes no apparent difference to starting.
 
#29 ·
Ok, now to test your theory.

Have a browse through the available gauges on torque and set up a screen with all of them on. Definitely coolant temp and intake temp, plus any others you can see.

So turning on the ignition with the engine cold, everything should be around ambient, say 20degrees. If your theory is right, one of those gauges will be telling you different.
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
Its amazing how you can get used to something! I have pretty much ignored the starting problem for a while especially in this warmer weather. But that will soon change I guess!:frown2: I am only able to find two temp related guages for Torque and the Nissan specific plug in which I bought appears not to support the Euro 5 YD 25 engine unless it is known by another name. Any ideas? What guages are others able to access regards the engine management system via torque. It seems quite limited to me.

Cheers

Andy
 
#33 ·
On the injection pump, there is one SCV and one temperature sensor.
I've seen a post on here, mentioning a failed temperature sensor on the injection pump.

Cold weather causing starting issues,?New glow plugs fitted, I would test if your getting 12v to your glow plugs, then go from there. Keep it simple.
 
Discussion starter · #34 · (Edited)
Back from holidays now so can get back to this. Having done Manchester to Devon and back full of family and holiday stuff, I am remembering why I love this truck. Fabulous drive on the motorway huge payload, comfy and fast. So smooth with Michelin SP tyres on too. Nothing wrong with the engine as it is smooth and strong, good economy and quiet at motorway speeds.

I am going to check the glow plugs when I get chance to check they are getting the correct current. The coolant temp sensor I think is fine. It is sending sensible info to the OBD. The MAF is clean. Looked at Haynes manual to see how to check the glow plugs so that will be done soon. It very specifically mentions the coolant temp info being sent the PCM ( powertrain control module) which as it is a US version of the manual I assume means ECU to determine the length of time the plugs stay on for. It also mentions the glow plug relay. If all is well with the glow plugs and the relay it states that the PCM will be FUBAR. As the problem becomes worse as the coolant temp drops I am convinced I am in the right area now.`
 

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Discussion starter · #35 · (Edited)
Power is getting to the glow plugs tested by a "bulb" type tester at Nissan today. Like an electricians screwdriver, so relay, glow plugs and ECU must be fine. :frown2::frown2::frown2:
Is it possible to overide the timing of the glow plugs so they remain on a longer to eleminate the timing element of the glow plugs being to short?
 
#36 ·
I wouldn't get too stuck up with glow plugs, I never use them, just get in the truck and turn the key, it always starts within 1-2 seconds even on the coldest mornings, this over the last 10 years.
 
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Discussion starter · #37 ·
Ther Nissan guy came round this evening with his laptop and cleared all sorts of stuff from the ECU. He also had sone some research and came across a bulletin regarding the glow plug timing relay failing and producing the exact same symptoms as I have. Interestingly using the term "moderate temps" rather than "cold weather". So will try and start it tomorrow haveing reset the fuelpump learn mode and take it from there.
 
#38 ·
NISSANDY said:
Ther Nissan guy came round this evening with his laptop and cleared all sorts of stuff from the ECU. He also had sone some research and came across a bulletin regarding the glow plug timing relay failing and producing the exact same symptoms as I have. Interestingly using the term "moderate temps" rather than "cold weather". So will try and start it tomorrow haveing reset the fuelpump learn mode and take it from there.
Click to expand...
So looks like you are getting closer..
 
Discussion starter · #39 ·
Did a volt test and at the contact the plugs are all drawing 11V on turnover and 6v at rest.
I am now satisfied that the ECU and Relay are not at fault but now turn to the Glowplug timer unit just by the battery. How do I know if the glow plugs are on for long enough?
 
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