Hello everyone. Kind of new to the forum and looking for some assistance. I have done some searching on this but want to just want to get some feedback as over time things change and the info you read isn't always the most up to date or best way to do something. Anyways, I just picked up a 2003 Xterra with about 164K miles that will eventually be for my son to drive once we do some TLC and he gets his DL. The X has an oil leak and I can tell that the passenger side valve cover gasket is leaking, not sure if anywhere else is at this time until I can clean it up a bit. Also the check engine light was on when I bought it and the owner said that they were told it was a small EVAP leak. I took it to have the codes read after I got it to be sure and see if there were any others. No code for the EVAP leak showed up which from what I have read could have just been a gas cap and cleared itself. However, there were 3 codes that did come up. They were C1109, P0305, and P0328. They guy that checked it said that the C1109 was low voltage and could possibly just be the connections or the battery. We looked at the connections and they seemed good but the battery is about 3 years old. He suggested to have it fully charged and load tested to see if that is the issue. The guy said not to worry about the P0328 (knock sensor) at this time as it may just be from the P0305 (#5 misfire) code. He suggested since I just purchased it and don't know when it was done last to give it a basic tune up of plugs/wires/cap/rotor then clear the codes by removing battery cables and see if it comes back. I wanted to know if this is the best course of action (battery tested and basic tune up) or is there another process to try first? I have read that the leaking valve cover gasket could cause problems with a misfire as well. I know it will need to be changed but should I do that prior to the tune up or can it wait till after? Thanks in advance for any assistance and I look forward to learning about our new X.
C1109 - P0305 - P0328 codes
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Where I would certainly throw some new NGK plugs and wires on it, rotor, new dizzy cap and seal, and I would go as far as a water pump on some models of cars.. and for what may be necessary to do the one VC gasket, you may as well due both while in there plus whatever may need to be replaced as a result of that effort. [possible upper & lower I/M gasket for example]
I think your first issue should be to address is the C1109 code and possibly the knock sensor but.. here's why.
Symptoms of a C1109 diagnostic trouble code may include:
Rich or lean exhaust
Fuel pressure too low
Engine surge
Poor acceleration
Source:
- http://www.diagnostictrouble.com/obdii-code/c1109
[although]
- https://www.autocodes.com/c1109_nissan.html
I would almost bet that if you address that issue, CYL5 will no longer have misfires and the Knock sensor may not be triggered due to CYL 5's misfires. So my first thoughts would be to TEST the battery at rest, start/cranking/running voltages and also check for a Faulty IMRC actuator or its relay which I think is more conducive to the additional codes.
I'm not absolute 100% thats the full cure however I believe that would be the most logical order of things. The tune up is a give in, unknown vehicle, unknown care practices.. you know how people are. Out of sight out of mind and be best to know by your own hand than take the word of others most times.
FSM downloadable .PDF's parent folder located here for that vehicle. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Xterra/2003_Xterra/
Let us know?
Thanks for the input. I did take the battery in and have it load tested and it came up as a bad battery. I purchased a new one this evening and will install it tomorrow and see what happens with the codes. I also picked up the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and a new PCV valve since it is cheap and I will do those as well. On my list next is a fuel filter, MAF and throttle body cleaning, and some Seafoam. I read that the screws for the valve cover gaskets come loose so I checked them and tightened them down a little bit since they were slightly loose. I need to clean the engine to remove the oil thats caked on it to see if tighting helped any but with it being 14 years old and almost 165K miles the gaskets will probably need replaced to be safe. Thanks again for the tips and I will post back up once I get the battery in to see what it does...
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Yea, the low slung seats and raised floor boards in Tacoma and 4Runners is very uncomfortable for me.. I've got long legs and torso so I have fitment gripes at 6' 2"...
Lot of friends of mine have 2nd and 3rd Gen 4Runners.
Ok, I changed out the battery, plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. The CEL cleared when I had the battery unplugged and so far so good, no light at the moment. I only drove it yesterday and today a little bit so another day or so will tell the tale. Still a little rough idle but I put some SeaFoam in the tank and hopefully it will clear it up a little. I will still clean the MAF and throttle body to see if that helps as well. The #6 plug as everyone said was a PIA but it was manageable. I read a lot and watched a bunch of videos on removal which really helped. Disconnected the brackets that held the brake lines to give a little more room to reach down there which helped a lot. Hardest part (besides laying on the engine) was removing the wire from the plug. Not sure if the plugs/wires were ever changed... Don't remember the name of them but the wires I removed had the cylinder numbers on them which I don't think you normally see in aftermarket wires but who knows. Besides cleaning the MAF & throttle body I just need to change the PCV and clean the engine to see if I still have the oil leak after tightening the valve cover screws. Thanks again for all your input and I will post back any updates!
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good to hear, let us know more as it clears up
That is exactly my problem, along with it being not wide enough. I felt like I was in a jet figher cockpit. Zero room to move around.
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Yupp.. I mean as tall as I am with a decent build at over 6 ft, waist wise is Ok.. but when I drive with my trail partner Brian in his 2nd Gen 4Runner, I literally feel closed in on, almost trapped in the passenger seat.. and I am not claustrophobic at all.
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