Random bogging during idle - what may be going on?

[cwilliamsws6]

2014 Pathfinder Platinum, bought at 87,xxx miles currently at 95,xxx miles. All fluid levels are good, fuel is good, all maintenance is up to date, has new air filter (as of 92,xxx), no CEL codes, everything is about normal as can be.

Not consistently, but once in a blue moon, I'll be idling (either sitting on my driveway or sitting in my car on my lunch break) and the engine will just randomly bog down super hard, like the entire car begins shaking but it's not like it's going to stall out or anything. It goes away and back to idling normally after about 5 seconds or immediately if I press the throttle real quick.

It's only happened 2 or 3 times so it's probably nothing but I'm just paranoid considering the fact I just bought this car in April.

 

[skyactiv]

Could be a idle control air control valve acting up. Could be something else. Code(s) don't always pop up when something goes bad.

 

[cwilliamsws6]

I was thinking of that as a possibility but if that were the case wouldn't it be more consistent?

 

[Brian123]

Maybe clean the MAF Sensor!

 

[JeffKeryk]

Sounds like a lean idle stumble. I only know how to fix that on 1960's muscle car carbs.

 

[Danno]

Watched this yesterday. Sounds like a similar issue.

 

[vavavroom]

EGR valve stuck open very slightly?

 

[HankHill]

If its only when

2014 Pathfinder Platinum, bought at 87,xxx miles currently at 95,xxx miles. All fluid levels are good, fuel is good, all maintenance is up to date, has new air filter (as of 92,xxx), no CEL codes, everything is about normal as can be.

Not consistently, but once in a blue moon, I'll be idling (either sitting on my driveway or sitting in my car on my lunch break) and the engine will just randomly bog down super hard, like the entire car begins shaking but it's not like it's going to stall out or anything. It goes away and back to idling normally after about 5 seconds or immediately if I press the throttle real quick.

It's only happened 2 or 3 times so it's probably nothing but I'm just paranoid considering the fact I just bought this car in April.

Does it ever happen to the car while it is in drive? Only park?

 

[HankHill]

Maybe clean the MAF Sensor!

Nah, I've cleaned over 20 MAF sensors, for various reasons. I have never cleaned a MAF sensor, and had any change is performance at all.

 

[SHOZ]

If it has an electronic throttle body maybe the pivots are carboned up. My Gen Coupe would have a a hard time with idle rising and falling and finally set a code. But all it took to fix it was some carb spray.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Start with the cheap stuff !

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

Check fuel pressure.

Pump could be beginning to fail hot.

 

[HankHill]

If it has an electronic throttle body maybe the pivots are carboned up. My Gen Coupe would have a a hard time with idle rising and falling and finally set a code. But all it took to fix it was some carb spray.

I've always heard that anything either than MAF spray cleaner would ruin the sensor... Are you saying you used carb cleaner to clean the MAF? I'm very interested in it... Sounds like a neat trick. Is your maf wire based unit? Did you actually spray the wires?

 

[SatinSilver]

Try some fuel system cleaner like Chevron Techron, Gumout Regane HM, Redline Sl-1, etc. Might as well get one of the good ones.

 

[SHOZ]

I've always heard that anything either than MAF spray cleaner would ruin the sensor... Are you saying you used carb cleaner to clean the MAF? I'm very interested in it... Sounds like a neat trick. Is your maf wire based unit? Did you actually spray the wires?

The MAFs I had were Fords hot wire type. And yes I sprayed the wires directly with the power off. The MAF wire is rather fragile so no physical contact or wiping. The Throttle Bodies are suppose to have some sort of coating to prevent the carboning up. That is why they say be careful of what you use. But if the coating isn't working then what the heck......

On my Gen Coupe it has an electronic throttle body. They use timing to control idle fine adjustments. As the throttle plate carboned up it was having a hard time maintaining idle and ranging high. You could see the timing going up and down 10* or more trying to adjust. It finally set a code.

I've never had any issues with spray cleaners. Some will dissolve some plastics.

 

[1uz_4me]

Does it have an electric cooling fan? If so, does the bog happen when the fan kicks on?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Just as a terminology note, a "BOG" is understood at throttle tip in when driving.
I would get it on a scan tool, and also look a TPS, cam position sensor and crank sensor.
A TB cleaning wouldn't hurt.
Also if the dealer pressure washed the engine, you could disco the ETC and coil primaries and give them a clean with CAIG deoxit or CRC QD or MAF spray cleaner.
How is the Fuel Mileage compared to expectation for this model?
- Ken

 

[Kurtatron]

I predict solving an inconsistent, unrepeatable problem like this will be like hunting ghoulish geese. You can shoot parts blindly at it, but there is little guarantee until the issue can be repeated at will. Replacing a part might seem to solve the issue for a few days, until it happens again. I think the best bet would be to have some sort of engine monitor hooked up and hope the bogging happens while the engine readings are being recorded.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

post deleted by author

 

[swampdodo]

The OP does have close to 100,000 miles...time to check the plugs?