Engine is Stalling and/ or hesitating when accelerating from stop- like it has no fuel

MITCHELLBROOKMAN

MEMBER
2008 NISSAN VERSA
1.8L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

When at a complete stop the idle is rough, going from 500rpm to 1100rpm. The engine will completely stall out but has no problems starting back up, however once started it may hesitate when accelerating, or act as if you are barely hitting the gas. I have been adding SeaFoam to every third tank of fuel, and the problem got better but now is worse again. I think its the fuel filter, however I know the spark plugs need changing as well. What do you think?
Also when accelerating usually above 30mph (especially up a steep hill) and abruptly letting off the accelerator there is a grinding or scraping sound that sounds for about 2 seconds, or until the rpms go back down

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,644 POSTS

If the plugs have never been replaced, it's time. As far as the idle issue, most likely the idle air control valve (IAC) is bad or dirty. The IAC is located on the throttle body and allows air to enter the intake so the engine can run. Based on signals from the ECM, the IAC determines how much air to allow in to maintain a smooth idle.

If you have already checked the IAC and it's good, check for engine vacuum leaks. As far s the noise, can you tell aprox where it is coming from?

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Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 5:21 PM

MITCHELLBROOKMAN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The IAC is clean. The engine will stall when the accelerator lifted and the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This doesn't happen all the time but 1 out of every 50 stops. Also when accelerating sometimes the vehicle will hesitate as if the accelerator is not being pushed, or when it begins to move it is slow and will not speed up, as if it's not getting any fuel. Does the coil pack need to be changed as well as the spark plugs? In the manual it stops at 120,000 miles and the only maintenance other than fluids and breaks is the plugs. I can not find anything on the CVT automatic transmission. What other major maintenance should be done as well

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Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 7:55 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,644 POSTS

As far s the coil packs, they only need replaced if they fail. There are no provisions for replacement as a preventative maintenance item.

What you described in the last post almost sounds like there is an air leak at the air intake tube allowing air to flow passed the mass air flow sensor. However, if that was the issue, it would do it more often. As far as the IAC, even if it is clean, it can still malfunction. The looping you get at idle usually is the result of a bad IAC.

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Monday, November 9th, 2015 AT 5:16 PM