OK so I have a 97 altima with 232000 miles on it. It ran great all year until the weather started changing. In the morning if the weather is cold, it runs good for a minute or so and the idle rises and drops like crazy. It does it until it dies out and when I start it back it sputters and putts and blows out black and smells like old engine oil. On a warm it day it runs good, but after a few drives it acts up and dies out. Its been to the shop over 5 times. Its had the plugs replaced, new distributor with new cap and rotor,new knock and crank sensors and new pipe for the exhaust. The guys checked the MAF sensor, idle motor, fuel filter,fuel pressure and everything seems ok. I added fuel injector cleaner and gas treatment and it ran good for a while but then it started acting up again. And its getting worse everyday. Does anyone have a clue about what could be causing this? It's really frustrating!!!
It acts up when at idle and while driving. I didn't test the vacuum cuz I don't know how. Last night my wife said it was acting up while parked on a hill and when she got on the flat road it stopped. It sometimes smells like gas too. Could it be the fuel pump?
Hmmm it could be signs of the pump going but try ruling out the EGR first. Unplug the hose connected to the EGR from the intake manifold and try plugging it with a bolt or something. Does it run better, worse, or the same? If you have the Haynes manual book, it shows how to test a lot of the parts before you start replacing them. You can also check the fuel pump too.
I would try to change that hose first since it's a lot easier. But that hissing sound is making me think your intake manifold gasket is toast. Try spraying carb cleaner around the intake manifold where it meets up to the block. Does the idle raise to a better more sturdy idle or so?
Either way, change the hose that is cracked first. And no check engine lights on?
yeah I'm gonna change that hose first and see what happens. There's no check engine light on. It went off after I had those sensors changed. The intake manifold gasket is about a year old. It was changed when the mechanic put an new headgasket.
wen you changed the sensors... did u clear the codes or did the CEL just go off... if it just went off you may have sum stored codes... i would check it with obd2 scanner and gather wut codes (if any) and then clear them
The mechanic changed the sensors so I don't know if he cleared the codes. I'm assuming he did though but I'll ask him and hear what he says. I want to buy one of those scanners. Are any cheap ones that I can buy?
I also have to agree that this sounds like some type of intake leak. You should be able to confirm that with a vacuum gauge if its a really strong leak.
OK so I just changed that cracked EGR vacuum hose and it's still acting up. I started it and it ran good for a minute but the it started idling funny again. So I gave it a rev and it died right out. I cranked it a few times and when I got it started I rev it and heard a popping sound coming from under the car. The tailpipe is also really black especially on the outer tip. I just called my mechanic and he said the already tested it to see if there is an intake leak and it doesn't have one. So he's coming to get it tomorrow and hopefully he finds what it is. I'm still open for opinions so feel free to give me advice you have. Thanks.
yeah i'm starting to think so too.I just had a piece of the pipe in front changed because there was a leak. But yeah maybe that's why its making that popping sound too. That cat converter was probably never changed by any of the previous owners. Plus it has so many miles on it.
if your gonna replace it, look at rockauto.com. i got an eastern ceramic cat plus 3 day shipping for like 214. its good quality and fast service too. highly suggest them
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