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Thu 31 Dec 2015 11:33

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - sczapp

PLEASE HELP! I have a fault happening with my 2009 Qashqai when the air temperature is below 10c and it is it's first start for 8 hours+. It will start and then after a few seconds stall. I've replaced the battery, glow plugs and also taken the egr valve out and cleaned it and sprayed the rest of the cleaner down the intake with the engine running. I didn't take the egr appart anymore than the valve. Should I be looking at cleaning another part that might be blocked up with soot?

If the engine is warm or it has already been used that day (so long as it is not a very cold day) then the engine starts fine. If it stalls, it can then be difficuilt to start again and if I do get it started, its best to keep the reves up at around 1500 for 20 seconds or so before I feel it safe to move off.

When it starts it starts to develop a very dieselly sound with a slight knocking noise though this tends to subside once warmed up. If I can get it to warm up, then it is fine for the rest of the day (except for a few weeks ago, when it was cold by day and I left it outside work all day).

Any help and ideas would be greatfully appreciated. The one time I called the RAC out, it stalled twice in front of them and after hearing the knocking noise he said that was the injectors, but also said there has been a previous code on the car with the fuel regulator (apparently marked as fixed) being at fault, so it could be that.

Any ideas? PLEASE HELP.

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Thu 31 Dec 2015 12:24

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - madf

Get the fault codes read.

Lots of things can be faulty. It must be fuel related..

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Fri 1 Jan 2016 08:27

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - sczapp

Thanks madf, but the RAC said there were no fault codes. Only the old one for the fuel regulator. This is why I'm so confused. Maybe it's a sensor which isn't being displayed as faulty.

One thing that happened yesterday is that after startup it kept flicking between 900 and 1000 revs when idling. It was quite erratic but fortunately did not stall.

I've put a 60 watt bulb under the hood last night to try and give it its best chance of starting this morning as the frost has returned. I will find out in a couple of hours if it wants to start and stay running.

The garage can't see me for another 10 days because of the Christmas/New Year period.

Any other ideas please?

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Fri 1 Jan 2016 11:08

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - elekie&a/c doctor

What about the fuel filter,has that been changed recently??

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Fri 1 Jan 2016 13:51

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - sczapp

I changed that at the last service in April. It hadn't been done since new as original filter was on there. If it was this at fault, surley it would be an issue all the time and not once it has cooled down and if it were summer I'm 100% sure the car would be fine even if left for days!

The 60 watt bulb trick worked last night. It started fine this morning (I gave it a few revs) dispite the frost. One thing I've notice and might be a route to pursue is yesterday when it sounded rough and stalled, the Turbo boost valve near the battery was buzzing very loudly and intermittently. Today with everything running fine, it had a quite buzz which was constant. I understand that this part would effect the egr valve right?

I'm think tonight I don't use the 60 watt bulb and in the morning use a hair dryer just on that valve to see if the car starts fine. I don't know why tempertaure would effect this valve, as apparently it only consists of a spring and a ball bearing, but would be good to rule this out.

Edited by sczapp on 01/01/2016 at 13:52

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Fri 1 Jan 2016 17:39

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - madf

Try bleeding the fuel filter of air _ or did you do that when the filter was cahnged?

It has all teh symptoms of:

either air in teh fuel filter

or a slight fuel leak ..putting air in the fuel line.

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Fri 1 Jan 2016 17:54

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - elekie&a/c doctor

There are a few Nissan models that do suffer with fuel filter issues ,causing poor start and running.Also I would get the engine coolant temp sensor checked for accuracy, as it may be sending incorrect temp reading back to engine control unit.

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Fri 1 Jan 2016 19:37

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - sczapp

Thanks for this. Can the sensor only be checked at the garage? It's not in there until the 11th. I guess I have the light bulb trick under my sleeve, but if it gets cold by day, I might have to start it a few times at work to make sure I can get home of an evening.

Would the fuel filter be effected by temperature?

This is the one I bought back in April: www.eurocarparts.com/mobile/ecp/c/Nissan_Qashqai_1...0

Starting to wonder if I should have bought this one: www.eurocarparts.com/mobile/ecp/c/Nissan_Qashqai_1...0

Would that make a difference? Big difference in price.

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Fri 1 Jan 2016 19:27

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - sczapp

I squeezed the priming bulb. Does that bleed out air? I thought the same about air getting into the fuel line, but shouldn't it then also happen when the car was left for a while and the temperature was above 10c? The issue is only happening when reaching 10c and below and when the car has been left for 8 hours +. Both these factors have to have occurred for the car to stall after start up.

I've even tried squeezing the bulb before a start up to see and even then it has still stalled. I installed the filter in April and not an issue over the summer.

Edited by sczapp on 01/01/2016 at 19:29

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Sun 10 Jan 2016 09:39

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - sczapp

The last few days have been cold, but my car has started fine, but this is due to me squeezing the priming bulb (and not leaving a light bulb in the engine compartment to keep it warm) each morning before I start it up. The revs very slightly (maybe small bits of air working their way out), but no stalling. It would seem air is getting into the system, but I don't know where from.

I've continuly squeezed the priming bulb to see if I can see or smell any fuel leaking from anywhere, but no such joy. It might be the filter is at fault.

It goes into the garage tomorrow morning, so will keep you posted.

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Sun 10 Jan 2016 12:39

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - Railroad.

Use a scantool live data to help you diagnose your problem. Fuel rail pressure needs to be around 10,000KPa (100 Bar) before the engine will start, so if it's lower than that when cranking you'll need to investigate why. A faulty fuel pressure relief valve, worn injector nozzles or fuel draining back to the tank are possible causes.

The battery must be in good condition too, and also the positive and earth battery connections to the starter motor. If the engine cranks fairly slowly, the more difficult it will be to start. Check to make sure you have a good RPM signal from the crankshaft sensor.

Also check the air cleaner to make sure it's not clogged, which could cause a restriction in airflow. The engine needs to draw in a good volume of clean air which when compressed must reach about 500 degrees celsius. On a cold engine this would give starting difficulties if the temperature isn't reached.

Your engine is direct injection. Glow plugs switch on when the engine is running when cold to reduce noise and improve emissions. They only switch on for preheating when the outside air temperature is around zero degrees.

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Wed 13 Jan 2016 18:44

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - sczapp

So the good news is that they diagnosed it and fixed the issue. It was the fuel filter. The non return valve inside it was at fault. The bad news is it cost me £120. With the filter being less than a year old, I've made a claim with Crosland, as its cost me big.

Thanks to everyone on here. I hope this helps someone else.

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Sun 4 Sep 2016 14:07

Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci - Cold start problem - willie mo

Hello,

I’ve had all the same problems with my 09 Qashqai,

Starting then cutting out after a few seconds,

Would start after a few turns of the key,

Once started sounded very noisy,

Again once started will run all day without missing a beat, for me this started July 2016,

Was not an everyday problem so therefore i was putting down to the overnight rain (I’m in Glasgow it rains most nights)

After reading your posts went out replaced the fuel filter problem solved....

Thanks for the help and info,