To recap, had the valve lash adjustment done a couple of weeks ago by the dealer. After, it didn't idle right, and I got horrible gas mileage (less than 18 mpg).

So, the dealer called, said the adjustment screws and nuts were in, so I dropped it off...again.

Dealer calls today, says it is all set. Pick it up and notice the idle is still off. Then the Check Engine light illuminates. So I run back into the dealer and tell him the CEL is on. He indicated that they reset the computer, checked the lash again, cleaned some of the sensors...something along the lines of temp sensor and tps. But to bring it back Monday so they can hook it up to the scanner.

I get it home and decide to disconnect the battery to see what happens. I go out a few hours later, hook it back up and the CEL is gone, but the idle is worse, almost stalling a couple of times. And it smelled like I just started a 72 Valiant.

So...what the hell is going on here? I'm at my wits end with the dealer. BTW, they also replaced the cables to the HVAC because they were binding and now the rotary knob doesn't go all the way over to hot.

 

i feel your pain, dealers suck . from what ive read a valve lash adjustment is not rocket science so i cant understand why the dealer doesnt know how to work on their own cars. my valve lash isnt that bad right now but i know i wont be going to the dealership when i do need an adjustment.

i also dont understand why didnt set it up to where the valve lash is self adjustable

 

Probably because of all the complaints from 4G63 owners about the noise the hydraulic lash adjusters make.


To the OP:
Your car *WILL* idle like complete crap after an ECU reset. Doing this sets it back to a canned fuel map that will get the car running, but then needs to be adjusted. It will take a bit of time and driving around to allow the ECU to tweak its fuel trims to fix the idle.

 

Another reason why i dont like anyone else touching my car.....

 

+1

 

Well, this is day two of the third stint at the dealer. They indicated that the OBD picked up a misfire code. Maybe a bad coil pack?

 

GolfTango, any update on this?

I'd like to know.

 

Glad you asked!

Well, I got it back, said they switched around the coils and it fixed the issue. It does idle a bit better, but still not like before. Still surges forward and smells real strong / sputters when I first start it.

Then this past Friday, it wouldn't start. It would turn and turn, sputter then just turn. I called for roadside assistance and looked at all the fuses, etc. and everything appeared to be okay. After waiting almost two hours for the tow truck in a downpour, I tried it once more and it tuned right over

Then yesterday it did it again, but after a couple of tries, it turned over.

Then this morning it wouldn't turn over. I tried about 12 times or so, then I called roadside again and pushed it out of my garage. As i waited, I tried it again, and it fired right up.

So as of now, it is back again at the dealer and everyone is scratching their heads. I'm just about to dump it for as much as I can get (sale/trade) and get a Nissan Frontier!

 

I didn't get as much problems as you but I know what you mean. I like my RA for it's performance but the quality isn't that great.

 

Of course for the two days (and $60 in rental car charges) the dealer could not duplicate the non-starting issue.

As of Saturday, I'm trading the RA in on a 06 Nissan Frontier!

 

Well, I'm sad to report that I'm no longer a RA owner. After the spate of bad luck with my RA, I decided to trade her for a black '06 Nissan Frontier SE 4X4 KC.

While I really like my new Frontier, I do miss my RA. I'm sure I'll really miss her when I'm at the gas station

 

horrible situation you ended up with but **** happens i guess, good luck w/ the new car i personally hate to drive big cars on the regular but at least this one starts.

 

Would you dump your gorgeous swimsuit model girlfriend if she farted one or twice?

 

absolutely, but only if it was while I was eating it

 

Just in case anyone is interested, I have these left over. IM me your best offers! Two chrome RA license plate frames and a RA resin badge.