Seeking Advice on Potential Crankcase Ventilation Issues in 2008 Nissan Cube

Hey fellow car lovers, I need some guidance. Recently, my 2008 Nissan Cube (gasoline, just over 34k KM) has been giving me some grief. Started with the check engine light and then things got worse - engine's been shutting off randomly, I've lost power, it's been jerky when I speed up, and I've noticed my gas is getting eaten up quickly. Not to mention, it's shaky when idle. I had a lousy experience with my mechanic last time around and I'm wondering if this could all be due to a Crankcase ventilation issue? Has anyone else had these symptoms? How was your repair experience? Any insights would be appreciated!

(Translated from German)

4 comment(s)

Hey there, your symptoms sound pretty similar to an issue I had with my 2011 Nissan Sentra a while back. Same story, shaky engine, unusual shut-offs, awful gas mileage, the works - just a total headache. From your description, it does seem like a faulty Crankcase Ventilation. For me, the repairs were more complex than I thought they'd be. The mechanic ended up having to replace the whole PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system, including the valve and hose. This wasn't the simplest of tasks, since the hose was buried pretty deep in the engine - took a fair bit of digging around. After the diagnosis, it definitely wasn't a one-day job. They found that the system had been allowing oil to get sucked back into the engine, causing an array of symptoms similar to yours. My mechanic explained that it's a necessary repair if it's the cause; otherwise, it can lead to more serious issues like engine damage. The good news though - after the repairs, there was a noticeable improvement in my car’s performance. The engine stopped dying on me, the shaking and jerky motions cleared up, and I saw an improvement in the gas mileage. So though it might seem like a daunting repair at first, it's well worth it in the end. Hope this helps and all the best with the repair!

(Translated from German)

Hey, appreciate your detailed response - sounds like our cases are strikingly similar. Reading about your repair journey puts things into perspective. I'm guessing the job wasn't easy on the wallet either, was it? If it's not too much of a hassle, do you remember the ballpark figure for fixing the whole PCV system? Also, post- the repair job, has your ride been smooth ever since or were there any recurring or new issues cropping up? Cheers for the help!

(Translated from German)

Hey, glad I could provide some perspective! You're right about the repair cost, it wasn't exactly a bargain. If memory serves, the final bill for sorting out the Crankcase ventilation was around 360€. A bit steep maybe, but worth every penny considering the amount of work needed. Since the mechanic gave it the all-clear, the ride's been smooth as silk! The pesky crankcase ventilation fault was definitely the culprit. No more kangaroo jumps while whopping the pedal, and my fuel gauge isn't working overtime either. So far, there haven't been any new or recurring issues, touch wood. Just back to enjoying the drive. Hope it works out the same for your Cube!

(Translated from German)

Thanks for the heads-up! Your experience offers quite the insight. A bill around 360€ does sound a touch steep, but if it brings back the joy of driving and saves me from future headaches (not to mention, costs), I reckon it's worth a shot. I'm relieved to hear that your Sentra's running smooth since the fix, gives me hope for my Cube. I’ll get my mechanic on this right away. Once again, cheers for sharing your experience and advice. You've been a real help. Happy driving to you too!

(Translated from German)

Join the discussion now: