2009 Nissan Qashqai 1.6 Petrol concerns
Discussion
A couple of days ago I purchased my wife a Nissan Qashqai, one thing that didn't become apparent until the next day was how much the car vibrates when reaching the bite point.
It also tends to jolt a bit in lower gears when coming on or off the throttle. I initially thought it was down to poor clutch control but no matter how smooth you are it still vibrates and jolts on gear changes.
Something else that makes me think something is adrift was when the car was sat idling in traffic it seemed to vibrate almost like the idle speed is set too low, you can actually see the bonnet of the car vibrating it's so bad.
Another thing I noticed was a whirring noise when the car was in neutral with the clutch engaged (clutch pedal up) it goes when the clutch is disengaged. The car doesn't have a DMF.
Initial thoughts were the engine or gearbox mounts but after hearing that whirring noise I'm hoping it's not gearbox related.
Where to start? Are spark plugs worth a shot? As I know poor or wrong plugs can cause rough running.
It was unfortunately a private sale else I would have been returning it ASAP!
It also tends to jolt a bit in lower gears when coming on or off the throttle. I initially thought it was down to poor clutch control but no matter how smooth you are it still vibrates and jolts on gear changes.
Something else that makes me think something is adrift was when the car was sat idling in traffic it seemed to vibrate almost like the idle speed is set too low, you can actually see the bonnet of the car vibrating it's so bad.
Another thing I noticed was a whirring noise when the car was in neutral with the clutch engaged (clutch pedal up) it goes when the clutch is disengaged. The car doesn't have a DMF.
Initial thoughts were the engine or gearbox mounts but after hearing that whirring noise I'm hoping it's not gearbox related.
Where to start? Are spark plugs worth a shot? As I know poor or wrong plugs can cause rough running.
It was unfortunately a private sale else I would have been returning it ASAP!
Worth checking the engine mounts first. How does the engine look when idling, when you physically look at it with the bonnet up? Get someone to gently rev it as well.
That other whirring noise could be the clutch release bearing being worn (when you disengage the clutch, that bearing is under load and if worn will give noise)
You might have two seperate issues going on here, but should be easily diagnosed and easily repaired by a competant technician.
Just keep in mind you bought a 10 year old car, and as such it'll come with 10 year old car issues. Spend a bit more money, put it all right (and have it a good service as well, not unwise to think about changing the engine coolant and transmission oil at this age if it's never been done in addition to engine oil and brake fluid if they havnt been recently changed) and you'l have a reliable car that you're beginning to know the service history of.
That other whirring noise could be the clutch release bearing being worn (when you disengage the clutch, that bearing is under load and if worn will give noise)
You might have two seperate issues going on here, but should be easily diagnosed and easily repaired by a competant technician.
Just keep in mind you bought a 10 year old car, and as such it'll come with 10 year old car issues. Spend a bit more money, put it all right (and have it a good service as well, not unwise to think about changing the engine coolant and transmission oil at this age if it's never been done in addition to engine oil and brake fluid if they havnt been recently changed) and you'l have a reliable car that you're beginning to know the service history of.
thatdude said:
Worth checking the engine mounts first. How does the engine look when idling, when you physically look at it with the bonnet up? Get someone to gently rev it as well.
That other whirring noise could be the clutch release bearing being worn (when you disengage the clutch, that bearing is under load and if worn will give noise)
You might have two seperate issues going on here, but should be easily diagnosed and easily repaired by a competant technician.
Just keep in mind you bought a 10 year old car, and as such it'll come with 10 year old car issues. Spend a bit more money, put it all right (and have it a good service as well, not unwise to think about changing the engine coolant and transmission oil at this age if it's never been done in addition to engine oil and brake fluid if they havnt been recently changed) and you'l have a reliable car that you're beginning to know the service history of.
Thanks for your reply. I think it may well be the engine mounts too. I took a look at the engine yesterday whilst it was idling and I was able to easily push the engine back and forth with my hand without any real effort, this can't be normal can it? The left hand side top engine mount seemed to show the movement the most...That other whirring noise could be the clutch release bearing being worn (when you disengage the clutch, that bearing is under load and if worn will give noise)
You might have two seperate issues going on here, but should be easily diagnosed and easily repaired by a competant technician.
Just keep in mind you bought a 10 year old car, and as such it'll come with 10 year old car issues. Spend a bit more money, put it all right (and have it a good service as well, not unwise to think about changing the engine coolant and transmission oil at this age if it's never been done in addition to engine oil and brake fluid if they havnt been recently changed) and you'l have a reliable car that you're beginning to know the service history of.
From my research the engine has three different mounts, I am a fairly competent home mechanic but I prefer to follow guides as this reduces the risks of cocking anything up, I can't find any mention of DIY guides for changing the mounts though.
The whirring noise only occurs when the clutch is engaged though, which led me to believe it was the DMF but now I have found out this car doesn't use a DMF so it rules that out at least!
I am always up for a challenge but it's just a bit disappointing that we only noticed these problems on the 2nd day of ownership else we probably would have went for something else. Oh well that's sods law for you!
All sorted now.
Firstly I changed the spark plugs and the cleaned throttle body. Zero difference other than cocking up the idle as the Nissan's have a idle relearn procedure that needs to be carried out everytime you disconnect the throttle body. The throttle procedure is singlehandedly this most complicated set of actions I have ever had to undertake on car!
I changed the top engine mount as this had a bit more play than I would have liked (you could move the engine by hand quite easily) this seemed to sort out the vibration at idle but the on/off throttle clunk was still there.
After crawling under the car I found I was able to move the dog bone (gearbox mount) by hand and the gearbox would stay in whatever position I left it. This was clearly f**ked so I replaced this yesterday and it now drives so much smoother!
Strangely enough the gearbox doesn't seem to rattle on idle anymore so I wonder if the gearbox was resonating on something as the mount was in such a bad state?
Either way, I'm happy and all the parts have cost me about £130 and I saved on labor by doing it myself.
Firstly I changed the spark plugs and the cleaned throttle body. Zero difference other than cocking up the idle as the Nissan's have a idle relearn procedure that needs to be carried out everytime you disconnect the throttle body. The throttle procedure is singlehandedly this most complicated set of actions I have ever had to undertake on car!
I changed the top engine mount as this had a bit more play than I would have liked (you could move the engine by hand quite easily) this seemed to sort out the vibration at idle but the on/off throttle clunk was still there.
After crawling under the car I found I was able to move the dog bone (gearbox mount) by hand and the gearbox would stay in whatever position I left it. This was clearly f**ked so I replaced this yesterday and it now drives so much smoother!
Strangely enough the gearbox doesn't seem to rattle on idle anymore so I wonder if the gearbox was resonating on something as the mount was in such a bad state?
Either way, I'm happy and all the parts have cost me about £130 and I saved on labor by doing it myself.
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