Okay so here's the deal I have had my 2003 Z for almost 2 years and love it!!! I am a 24 year old girl with not a lot of under the hood knowledge when it comes to cars. I also just found this site so I am new to this whole forum thing. On to the point... The other day I was having a hard time starting my car. It was chugging but not turning over. After starting it a couple of times it completely stopped starting. Some guys took out the air filter and sprayed something called 'smoke in a can' in there and then it started. Since then it has started a few more times. I am just curious to know what is going on and if this is a serious issue and actually what is going on. I have gotten the battery checked and it is good and new. It happened suddenly not any prior issues. I take it in for regular maintenance. Any suggestions???

 

Welcome.

Long distance diagnoses is a guess at best. I can make suggestions (clean the MAF sensor) but may not solve the problem. Although expensive Nissan may be your best best.

 

^This.

 

What do you mean by 'chugging'? Is the engine turning over at the normal cranking speed? I ask because an '03 would probably be about ready for a second battery replacement.

If the cranking speed is normal and it's firing some but not enough to start, it's more than likely fuel related. If you don't have any CEL (check engine light) codes to go by, the MAF is as good as a place to start as any.

 

Take a vid for us and post it, we could better give our opinion and diagnosis then. I agree with winchman, if its cranking at normal speed and not seeming like its bogged down or struggling just to turn over, then most likely it is a fuel related issue. ie. fuel pump bad and not working or fuel filter clogged. I have no idea what smoke in a can does? *Maybe you've got lil varmin living in your plenum and the smoke cleared them out enough for your engine to breath, otherwise they are completely blocking all air flow* (note, last scenario is highly unlikely do not take seriously)

 

1. welcome to My350Z

2. Take a vid and post it, So we could better give our opinion and diagnosis

3. girl in a 350Z is hot

4.

 

So my car lingo isn't that great. Basically when I say chugging... it's acting like it wants to start but the engine never actually starts. The battery is new... bought in the beginning of this year. Since this happened on Tuesday the car has been starting (but not exactly normal.) I am in agreement that it is probably fuel related to some aspect. That's the majority of opinions that I have received. Hopefully there isn't a squirrel or something

 

So my car lingo isn't that great. Basically when I say chugging... it's acting like it wants to start but the engine never actually starts. The battery is new... bought in the beginning of this year. Since this happened on Tuesday the car has been starting (but not exactly normal.) I am in agreement that it is probably fuel related to some aspect. That's the majority of opinions that I have received. Hopefully there isn't a squirrel or something

 

Tune-up? spark plugs, clean throttle body, ..