Knock on Accel from a stop?

[Angus]

My wife's Murano states that the car can run 87 octane - which is new for the 2011 year. For a while now, when we accelerate from a stop, a clunk/ping appears. Both the dealership and I believe to be knock now since I use to think there was something lose in the front suspension...

So the dealership says we need to run premium now even though the manual states:
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87. Oh and damage from knocking that wasn't attempted to be remedied would not be covered under warranty.

more of a thread... Screw you Nissan.

Click to read more...

 

[Chester Copperpot]

The Ford dealer and the manual says the same thing about the Mustang. Put 93 in anyway.

 

[Bru]

Does it go away when you put in mid-or premium grade?

 

[Angus]

Haven't tried that yet... Just got it back from service about an hour ago and it's got a full tank-o-87...

 

[Bru]

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Mix race gas in?

 

[Angus]

Added in half a tank of 93 and the knock is gone. MPG's went up on the meter in just 2 days.

Sounds like 93 really is just better for this engine and I don't know why just this year they decided to say that 87 was ok...

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Hmm weird. It's only a few bucks more for premium anyways.

 

[radioguy6]

The Nissan VQ engine has always preferred premium gas, ever since the VQ30DE was introduced in 1995. It will run on good quality 87 gas, but 91+ is recommended. Majority of Nissans with the VQ35 state premium is recommended for maximum performance in the manual and on the gas door. You get better engine response, gas mileage and piece of mind running premium for a few bucks more.

 

[Frank Dukes]

always ran premium in my vq40 as well even though manual stated 87.

 

[Soulonfire11]

Hmm sounds like Nissan are being dicks. Try mid-grade? I mean it could save a bit of money and it might be enough to stop the pinging...

 

[Dan00Hawk]

I don't think Nissan is being "dicks" about it. They can't control the quality of the gas out there. So one could try to find 87 octane that works in harmony with the car, or just use higher octane. Keep in mind that even though you'll be spending more at the pump for mid grade or premium, you'll get better gas mileage (as you've experienced). So it'll likely be a wash in the "net cost" department. Plus, it'll run a bit better and provide more power.

 

[EmersonHart13]

My Mom's Montero is sensitive on gas. Only the best brands or it runs like pooh.

 

[jvert]

That sucks that they are being dicks about it.

 

[smug]

I think the Nissan VQ engines have something like 10.5 to 1 compression ratio? Maybe I am wrong but I thought it was high so yea id say 93 is a better choice.

 

[radioguy6]

just curious what brand of gas are you filling up with?

 

[THEHKP7M13]

If they are stating it can run on 87 it should be able to run on it without issues such as pinging or knocking. This issue needs to be addressed under warranty and any damage tot eh internals of the engine covered too. You are going to have to fight with them on it. As I have said before NEW CAR WARRANTIES ARE MORE USELESS THEN USED TOILET PAPER.

 

[SleeperLS]

The Ford dealer and the manual says the same thing about the Mustang. Put 93 in anyway.

x2...worth it for the extra protection IMO

 

[Wrencher]

I have seen some issues on nissan 6's with knocking.
At higher milage it can get worse. They seem to be really sensitive to even slight carbon build up & dirty injectors.
I would try mid grade too, see if that keeps it happy.

There are some TSB's for the older 3.5's for pinging.
The crap gas around here dont help either.
I forsee a PCM update in the future for ping issues I bet.