Z does not accelerate

Vicster

So, I figured I would update from my perspective now since it's be a little while...

As I said previously, the dealer was convinced that the K&Ns where over oiled which was causing issues with one or both of the MAFs. I noticed that cleaning the MAFs seemed to help for a few weeks but eventually it would go back to consistent losses in power or limp mode.

As of this last winter, things got really bad. My car started to regularly go into limp mode and threw codes far more frequently than before. Cleaning the MAFs had little to no effect on the situation and sometimes restarting after the oil temps raised the needle just off the floor seemed to help for a single trip (until the car was parked for the day for instance). Sometimes after this cycle, the CEL would come up and the same codes that were previously pre-failed would now be failed.

So I started to systematically replace parts that the dealer mentioned and get it to a state where either it would fix the situation or prove that the problem was not what the dealer was claiming it to be. I started by removing the K&Ns and making sure everything in the intake was fresh and clean, then replacing them with brand new stock air filters. Then I replace the driver's side MAF. The car ran good for a single trip then went to limp mode. I considered moving the MAF to the passenger's side and putting the other in but ended up saying screw it and just ordered another replacement MAF. (This way, both are replaced and the dealer has no leg to stand on anymore.) Again, after replacing the second MAF the performance was good. In fact, the performance was GREAT, way better than it had been in a while. Drove that way for a few trips then BAM, something started to feel off... Ran the codes and sure enough, pre-failed P0101 and P010B. No oiled air filters, two brand new MAFs; this problem is not due to fault sensors and/or caused by the air filters, I'm now convinced.

I have an extended warranty for my Z so I will be bringing it into the shop soon (probably when I go to get my winter's rotated off) and raising a small but rather steamy level of hell! I'm thinking about pointing them in the direction of the throttle bodies and telling them to clean and handle the relearn process.

I'll update again once this is done. Thanks for all of the information everyone has shared thus far, it is really helpful!

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-Chris

'13 Z34 Touring Sport | ARK GRiP CBE | Stillen G3 CAI | AAM HFC | UpRev | 20mm Z1 Spacers | StopTech Drilled/Slotted Rotors | StopTech SS Lines

Smashley

I live near you, could you tell me which dealer you went to for this?

P's_Z

Tell them that this has happened to people you know and cleaning the TBs has worked for them. Hell, even show them this thread as evidence. I dont know why not all nissan dealers are in the know of this. You are not the first person that this has happened to, i would have expected for word to have spread by now, and for the dealers to have sent this to the central offices and this issue-fix be informed to all.

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Zeta

carlitos_370z

Vicster

I take my car to AAM for custom installs and such and to Sheehy Nissan of Waldorf for all my maintenance/warranty work. They are usually pretty straight forward with me and know me quite well so I don't think there will be much of a problem. That being said, I'm going to be a little stronger with them this time around since I've taken care of what they original thought the problem was and the problem is still not fixed.

I haven't had a chance to drop it off yet but I hope to soon. Meanwhile I just have to deal with it...

This is essentially my plan. I'm basically going to tell them "look, you said it was the oiled air filters, after replacing the air filters with stock and replacing both MAFs, the problem is still there. It's still under warranty, I'm fully within my rights with everything that was replaced and/or not stock (Magnuson–Moss), so fix it. But, just to speed things up, I do believe I know what the problem is." Then point them to this thread.

We'll see how it goes.

__________________
-Chris

'13 Z34 Touring Sport | ARK GRiP CBE | Stillen G3 CAI | AAM HFC | UpRev | 20mm Z1 Spacers | StopTech Drilled/Slotted Rotors | StopTech SS Lines

Kabestro

After 30000 miles all I did was clean the TB, no problem so far at 36000, daily driver.

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Stillen Gen 3 CAI / Fast Intentions HFC and CBE 12" Res. (#730) / Swift Springs / 20mm H&R Spacers / Clutch Helper Spring / UpRev Tune 322whp.

P's_Z

Exactly! The problem is still there so they have to try a different option, and this should be it. Hope everything works out my friend, keep us updated.

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Zeta

carlitos_370z

same here!!!

russw007

an update on my car. they changed the air filters back to stock and changed the maf. still had the same problem. its the throttle bodies! i told them that from the start. they said they have to go through certain steps before they for they got to the tb's. they're paying for it so i guess i see the point. they finally changed the tb's and problem was solved. i told them a lot of other people are having the same problem and they said nissan was aware of the situation. i ended up trading my car in for a 2015 nismo. hope it doesn't happen again. i guess i'll let you know in about 25K miles lol.