I need help please. My 2003 350z has been sitting for the majority of the winter months but I have been taking it out and driving it around 2 days a week just to keep everything running properly. Last time I got the oil change was a month prior, 430miles ago. The oil level is full. Mind you the battery is brand new and purchased in April 2012. Anyway. Fresh gas was in it. The car had been sitting 5 days by this morning and I went out to go start it. When I started it the thing fired up immediately but I was surprised by a very violent side to side thrusting, it was so harsh it was throwing me side to side in the seat, also there was a loud knocking noise emitting from the engine. I quickly turned it off, waited about 20 seconds, then fired it back up to get the same result. With a sick stomach, I tried repeated this another time and the same result. I waited about 2 minutes than fired it up and it wasn't as loud of knocking or violent of a shaking so I let it idle. The car warmed up and the knocking went away. I immediately drove it to my local Nissan dealer, 30 miles away, and dropped it off to get checked out tomorrow morning. It drove great and no problems driving to it there. Does anyone have a clue what this could be? Also, there was no CEL thrown at all. Spark plugs are original, from what I believe, with 130,000 miles. Please help.

 

This is the last time I tried starting it up, this is the one where I let it idle. The knocking you can here in like the first 10 seconds of the video is what I was talking about, but on the first 3 starts it was a lot louder. You could probably hear it a block down the street. On this one it didn't shake.

 

Definetly not good, spark plugs are way over due, but that sounds like knock to me. You dropped it off to nissan for it to be checked, what do you want from the forum now?

 

I want an idea of what it could be. Long story short, I've had to pretty much diagnose the car before because they said nothing was wrong with it and I had to bring it back repeatedly. It was a radiator fan that wasn't spinning. So I want my Ps and Qs in a row so I know what I'm talking about. Thanks

 

Can I get more input on this from people?

 

Your car is possessed and needs an exorcism immediately. Call your local priest but be sure to hide the kids.

130,000 miles on original plugs is a sin.

 

That is not my fault. I've had the car for less than a year and haven't had the $$ to get them changed. Why do people on this forum criticize each other? Sheesh

 

If you havent had the ~50 bucks to change your plugs, you should probably be driving a much cheaper car, so it IS YOUR FAULT.



I know you dont want to hear that, because you are probably under 21, and still think you know everything (I was there too, not too long ago) but if you cant afford basic maintenance, you cant afford the car.


Having said that, it sounds like a rod knock, so replacing the plugs probably wont help. Is it under some warranty?

 

Not being a machanic, I'd say spark plugs, plug wires, coil. That would be the best scanerio for you. It's at the dealership. You'll get your answer soon. Waiting will give you time to pick your nose.

 

1st off: The dealership said the car didn't get sufficient oil pressure because it was sitting and I suspect there might have been a little water in the fuel lines as well. 2nd: I'm not sure what your problem is, but on the 350z you have to be mechanically inclined to change those plugs. We aren't talking about a 4 banger that has a large engine bay by any means, you should know that the engine bays on the Zs are tight. I would much rather bring it to a professional to get it done properly than to cause damage. 3rd: This forum is a joke, there are no helpful people on here. Only critics and hypocrites. Get over yourselves people.

 

The 350z isnt a 15min plug change, but its still just as easy to do as a 4banger, it just requires moving a few pieces first.


You made a bad decision, and came here freaking out, and got impatient when you didnt get answers as fast as you wanted them. Then, you got upset about a joke that sickboy made, and tried to absolve yourself of blame.


You caused more damage by neglecting basic maintenance. Bad plugs can lead to detonation, misfiring, or even completely dropping a cylinder.


A bad oil pump, or an improper weight oil, for your cold climate, could have also caused the problem, its hard to tell OVER THE INTERNET, FROM A 19 SECOND VIDEO OF YOU BREATHING HEAVILY.

 

Lol It's funny that you say that, because an automotive forum, this sub forum in particular, is for help. So naturally one would think that a person would receive such help when in a bad situation. Marry a damn spark plug if you get so butthurt over them. Seems like the members here are a waste of carbon.

 

Well, dont let the door hit you on the way out, hope your engine is OK, but it clearly deserves a better owner.

 

the insides of your motor wants to be on the outsides

 

give the guy a break. i guess its normal to freak out when stuff like that happens to your car. Lets try to give him some helpful pointers. i know we've all had problems with our cars in the past, so let's try to be nice ^^

 

I'm guessing 17