Power duct?

zeph

Member
Location
Redondo Beach, CA
Car
2005 FX35 AWD
Hi,
my 2005 FX35AWD has been doing fine for the last four years or so, currently at just over 130k miles, last major service at 120k, another oil change at 127.5k.
Today I was driving around running errands, and at the last stop, when I tried to start the engine it wouldn't come on. The starter was fine, the electronics were working, just the ICE refused to engage. I tried three or four times, no luck.

I opened the hood, and looked around everything seemed normal, except maybe this:

[photo won't show when embedded, so link:] https://flic.kr/p/vWeLzo

As you can see, the duct was not secured, is that normal or did they forget to secure it at the last service? Also, I inspected it and the foam gasket seemed incredibly worn, crumbling upon touch.

However, after I closed the hood and tried to start again, the car was back to normal. It has got me a little worried, though.

Anybody any idea what it could be?
 
Last edited:
There should be two plastic quick clips on the power duct, but other than that, it looks fine and should have nothing to do with your startup problem.
 
Foam crumbling, normal mine does that. Plastic pins breaking and disappearing, also normal, they are very fragile especially when old.

Do you drive on the beach? Looks like a lot of sand in there.
 
Thanks for your replies, guys. The starting thing just happened once yesterday, and everything seems fine now. Disconcerting, though.

Do you drive on the beach? Looks like a lot of sand in there.

No, but I live near the beach. And last week we did an 800+ mile road trip to the Bay Area. But yeah, very dusty. Are engine washes advisable or necessary?
 
I would just wipe it off with a damp paper towel. Usually when I'm doing anything under the hood I try to clean up that area just so it's less dirt on the filter.
 
Hi,
my 2005 FX35AWD has been doing fine for the last four years or so, currently at just over 130k miles, last major service at 120k, another oil change at 127.5k.
Today I was driving around running errands, and at the last stop, when I tried to start the engine it wouldn't come on. The starter was fine, the electronics were working, just the ICE refused to engage. I tried three or four times, no luck.

I opened the hood, and looked around everything seemed normal, except maybe this:

[photo won't show when embedded, so link:] https://flic.kr/p/vWeLzo

As you can see, the duct was not secured, is that normal or did they forget to secure it at the last service? Also, I inspected it and the foam gasket seemed incredibly worn, crumbling upon touch.

However, after I closed the hood and tried to start again, the car was back to normal. It has got me a little worried, though.

Anybody any idea what it could be?
Same thing happened to me. It's your key fob. If the smart key doesn't communicate the correct signal it shuts down the fuel pump, but leaves the rest of the car engaged (electronics, lights.)

Replace the key battery (dealership charged me $20 but it's really just a watch battery) and hope the signal keeps steady. Or else you'll have to replace the smart module on the car ($$$).
 
Hey all,
just a follow-up:

A few weeks ago the engine started misbehaving slightly on cold starts in the morning, like hesitating or irregular revolutions, and about two weeks ago the "service engine soon" light came on, so I took it to the dealer.

Three ignition coils, a new air duct, and some minor service stuff: $1200

I already replaced 4 ignition coils in September 2011, and I'm not happy about this. On top of that, I took the car home and found out the wiper fluid dispenser isn't working.

If anybody knows an honest and competent FX mechanic or shop in the greater LA area, I'm all ears. Infiniti SouthBay gets a thumbs down from me.
 
Thanks, guys. I was hoping for something a little closer (I'm in Redondo), but that is not too far if the service is reliable and the prices reasonable.
 
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