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dr-rjp · 07-01-2009, 01:11 PM

I.m currently having similar issues wuth a P1400 code thrown, but with mine, I suspect that there are other causes at work, such as fuel starvation.

Awhile back, I did a dumb thing and poured brake fluid into my gas tank thinking it was fuel injector cleaner (the bottles are both blue and shaped the same).

I siphoned out as much of the gas/brake fluid mixture as I could. Yes, I know, I really need to get the tank fully drained. I recall someone saying that the fluid can eat away at fuel lines, roo.

Beyond that, can the gas tank be flushed to remove any brake fluid residue left over, and if so, how is that done?

I suspect that if some of the fluid got through the fuel lines the fuel filter is probably clogged and that is causing fuel starvation at start up -- except the problem is definitely worse when the engine is ciik than when hot.

I have not yet changed my fuel filter, but that is something I'm going to do tomorrow.

The EGR tube probably also needs to be cleaned and I'm going to have the entire EGR system checked for bad solenoid, sensors, pressure valves and hoses, etc..

Some time ago, I got a P400 code that went away on its own after I stopped using Hess gas and started using BP and a few bottles of actual fuel injector cleaner this time.

The fuel filter should have trapped the brake fluid from going into the engine, but that may mean the filter is clogged and preventing gas at start up.

The engine cranks, but it feels like no gas is making its way to the throttle, and what little did is running the engine with major sputtering. After a long 30-45 seconds, the car starts, but runs rough, loops(surges), almost dropping to zero. Once the engine warms up, the car runs fineBut, when I turn it off and let it sit for an hour, it goes through this process all over again.

What are the odds that some of the brake fluid made it past the filter, and then clogged an injector? If so, then why does the problem seem to go away when the engine is hot?

Stoping the engine and restarting it presents no problems when hot. When it is cold, it almost refuses to start at all and feels like previous cars I've owned whent the fuel pump started going bad.

Unfortunately, right now, I don't have the money to get it anything major fixed.

What are the odds that a P1400 code can be dropped as a result of a vacuum leak instead of a clogged or malfunctioning EGR solenoid?

I need some simple tests to run or some tips to do for diagnosing the problem after doing the simple things like changing the fuel filter, checking the spark plugs, checking that the injectors are working, etc.

07-01-2009, 01:11 PM	#47
dr-rjp Senior Member 2001 Maxima Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (4) Posts: 1,580	I.m currently having similar issues wuth a P1400 code thrown, but with mine, I suspect that there are other causes at work, such as fuel starvation. Awhile back, I did a dumb thing and poured brake fluid into my gas tank thinking it was fuel injector cleaner (the bottles are both blue and shaped the same). I siphoned out as much of the gas/brake fluid mixture as I could. Yes, I know, I really need to get the tank fully drained. I recall someone saying that the fluid can eat away at fuel lines, roo. Beyond that, can the gas tank be flushed to remove any brake fluid residue left over, and if so, how is that done? I suspect that if some of the fluid got through the fuel lines the fuel filter is probably clogged and that is causing fuel starvation at start up -- except the problem is definitely worse when the engine is ciik than when hot. I have not yet changed my fuel filter, but that is something I'm going to do tomorrow. The EGR tube probably also needs to be cleaned and I'm going to have the entire EGR system checked for bad solenoid, sensors, pressure valves and hoses, etc.. Some time ago, I got a P400 code that went away on its own after I stopped using Hess gas and started using BP and a few bottles of actual fuel injector cleaner this time. The fuel filter should have trapped the brake fluid from going into the engine, but that may mean the filter is clogged and preventing gas at start up. The engine cranks, but it feels like no gas is making its way to the throttle, and what little did is running the engine with major sputtering. After a long 30-45 seconds, the car starts, but runs rough, loops(surges), almost dropping to zero. Once the engine warms up, the car runs fineBut, when I turn it off and let it sit for an hour, it goes through this process all over again. What are the odds that some of the brake fluid made it past the filter, and then clogged an injector? If so, then why does the problem seem to go away when the engine is hot? Stoping the engine and restarting it presents no problems when hot. When it is cold, it almost refuses to start at all and feels like previous cars I've owned whent the fuel pump started going bad. Unfortunately, right now, I don't have the money to get it anything major fixed. What are the odds that a P1400 code can be dropped as a result of a vacuum leak instead of a clogged or malfunctioning EGR solenoid? I need some simple tests to run or some tips to do for diagnosing the problem after doing the simple things like changing the fuel filter, checking the spark plugs, checking that the injectors are working, etc.