X-Trail Fuel Problem

[JohnM20]

Hi to anyone with an X-Trail.

I have a 2006 X-Trail Columbia which has just started to show a problem whilst I am away on holiday in France and Germany.

When accelerating only moderately hard, particularly but not exclusively in third gear with engine revs reaching about 2500 - 3000 rpm the engine coughs and the car lurches. It has only started to happen today whilst at quite an altitude, about 3,800 feet up a mountain pass, and a couple of hours driving after I filled up, (about half a tank), with French diesel from a supermarket. This may be coincidental as I have filled up in a similar way on a few occasions during the last week and had no problem, even when towing. I have tried the car again this evening at a far lower altitude and get similar results although perhaps not so prominent.

Any suggestions as to the cause would be very welcome as would a suggestion for a cure. I may only have an internet connection until Tuesday when, hopefully, we move on so speedy replies would be very helpful.

Thanks in anticipation.

JohnM

 

[xtrailman]

john

assuming you have the 2.2, has the air filter been changed? or the fuel filter, if i recall correctly every two years for replacement.

Sounds like fuel starvation?

 

[WiltshirePete]

Does it just "go flat" as if it has hit a rev limiter, and is fixed by lifting off the throttle and then re applying throttle?

If so I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is a turbo related problem, it will give a fault code on the computer if checked, but too vague to be of much help. It is related to turbo overboost, so it cuts the fuel, lifting off resets it. Eventually (a few months in my case) the turbo bearings will fail spectacularly.

The good news is that Nissan are aware of the turbo problems on this engine, and have extended the warranty on the turbo to 5 years or 90,000 miles, so get it in the dealers quick when you get home!

Good luck.

 

[Surrey_Chris]

If it is a severe lurch , then sadly it does sound like a turbo issue. This happemed to me a few weeks ago (see xtrail strange problem). The good news is Nissan fixed mine FOC due to a quality problem.

 

[JohnM20]

Hi Ray, Pete & Chris

Thanks for your replies. I'm pleased to say I have got the car sorted, thanks to Red Pennant. The problem was, as I suspected and Ray also suggested, it was the fuel filter that was at fault although, to be on the safe side, the garage also changed the air filter. I know the air filter had actually been done about 6000 miles back because I kicked up at the local dealers when I found it hadn't been done at the major service. They subsequently changed it but was the fuel filter also 'missed' ? My guess is that it was.

Anyway, we are back on the road again but it was a round trip of 60 miles , twice, to the nearest Nissan dealer and a further 20 miles to the car hire depot. To test it out we have done a trip of about 100 miles up through the mountains of the Black Forest. No apparent problems.

Thanks again for the suggestions but I'll also keep an eye on the turbo.

Regards

JohnM

 

[xtrailman]

johnm

Happy that you have got it sorted, both the fuel filter change, and the brake fluid, are not on the "M1,2,3" list, but are recommended for changing every two years,or 25k miles which ever sooner, refer to the service schedule.

As i understand it if the fuel filter blocks it goes into bypass, this in turn can damage the fuel pump, but i am not 100% certain.

Air filter is on the M3 list. Or 25k for some models.

 

[Douglas_374404558]

HI! JohnM i had same problem in my XTrail but it was not the filters BUT (there,s always a but)it was water in the fuel which in the end just about knackered my cat convertor so just a thought if the same problem comes back .hope the rest of your hols go trouble free .

cheers Duggie