Hi All,

Recently I bought 90 Maxima. I found this forum very useful, since the day I bought this car. I have bought the manual for the do it yourself stuff. The car, I thought it was a good deal for 1600 with 153,000 miles on it. I am seeing all the regular problems like window regulator, clock. But suddenly I realied, I am getting very bad fuel smell inside the car and also from the exaust. It's like the combustion is not complete. I get dizzy if I drive the car for 10 or more minutes. I also realized that the smell comes from beneath the hood and passes through the gap where the door is attached to the body.I hope you can imagine that....So please let me know what should I start with. I tried searching for this problem but could not get a required details, hence this new topic.

thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions.

 

Old rubber fuel injector hoses are cracked/old. Replace.

 

Thanks Jeff, I was expecting a reply from either of the Max Gurus (Jeff or Matt) .

So Even this could be a problem with the fuel smell in the exaust too?

thanks,
Prithivi

 

Possibly bad o'rings on injectors.

 

Look on the drivers rear area, next to where the gas tank filler hose goes into the tank. There is a smaller vent hose about 3/4" diameter. I've found almost all of them cracked. Somehow when driving the fumes get sucked into the car, and you can smell gas in the rear.

 

I was under the impression (with my very little basics in car ) that some of the spark plug are not firing or dead, hence I am getting this smell in the exaust.

So can I replace the entire set , like hose, injector and the o'rings.
I have never done any such operations to a car.This is my first operation, but feeling confident with you all in the forum and of course the manual. Jeff , Is it something that I can do it myself or a mechanic should to this, what would be the cost involved.

thanks
Prithivi

 

IMO VG injectors as a first job isn't the best thing to start on as a "frist job", but its possible....propperly re-seating the injectors and getting the car to run right can get kinda hectic and frustrating. good luck

 

Ho Thank you Abunai: I'll do that. Also a question to you, since I see Exausist in your Id, The reason for dizzyness is the CO, I was told that CO don't have odour but affects the brain soon, they grab the O2 to become CO2, will that be a reason for my dizzyness....


thanks
Prithivi

 

Sounds like you've got two problems: a fuel lead and maybe an exhaust leak.

Check the fuel vent hose like abunai said. It runs from a steel tube running parallel to the gas filler neck to the gas tank. You get to it underneath the car; but it's not easy. This hose broke on both our 1990 Maximas within the last month; I had my mechanic replace them (cost $26 each car) as I couldn't get to them without dropping the gas tank.
If that's not it, check the rubber hoses going to and from your fuel filter on the firewall. All rubber parts in these older cars are starting to go.

After you've found the fuel leak; if you still have the smell you need to check for exhaust leaks. You may have a ruptured flex section on your 'Y-pipe' or a corroded out steel pipe somewhere.

 

There's a recall on the fuel filler for your car. Not sure if it could be the cause, but since you bought the car used, you should check with Nissan USA to make sure it's been done. They have to perform recalls no matter the age or mileage. I had an '88 Maxima that I bought used in 2000. It had 153000km and was 12yrs old. Did a check with Nissan Canada using the VIN and they said there was an outstanding recall (from 1995 to boot!!). I ended up with new injectors, rail, fuel temp sensor and a whole host of related parts for free. Anyhow, a leaking fuel filler hose may or may not be the cause of your problem, but it wouldn't hurt to check for recalls anyway.

 

How is the engine running???
If it's smooth, it is probably not missing. Pull one of the spark plugs out and see what color it is. If it's black, the system is running rich, something is wrong with the fuel injection system. That maybe why you'll be smelling gas.
You should check along the fuel system for a leak. Start with the injectors and fallow the fuel lines back to the tank. If there is a leak, it will be real clean. Gas tends to wash away dirt and grime.
You should also check the hoses going to the gas tank vent canister, the canister, and the gas cap.
A gas smell can be dangerous.

 

just did a check on the 93 maxima and there were no recalls.

 

I beg to differ (with all due respect, of course)
Follow the link (whoops...the link, she not work!!)

Recalls for 1993 Max posted below right from the NHTSA site.
There are 3 recalls for this model year...the one related to the fuel filler area is at the bottom.

Once again, if you're not the original owner of a vehicle, I would strongly recommend contacting Nissan USA to ensure that the previous owner(s) had all the recall work done. If they didn't, Nissan HAS to do it.

Cheers.


Report Date : September 28, 2003 at 05:42 PM
TYPE : VEHICLE
YEAR : 1993
MAKE : NISSAN
MODEL : MAXIMA






Results : 3 | All records displayed
Make : NISSAN Model : MAXIMA Year : 1993
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 94V194000 Recall Date : OCT 04, 1994
Component: WHEELS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 97000
Summary:
THE ALUMINUM WHEELS WERE CLEAR COATED SEVERAL TIMES TO PROTECT THE METAL FINISH. SOME EXCESSIVE COATING CAN LEAVE THE WHEEL NUTS AN EXCESSIVE DISTANCE FROM THE WHEEL HUB WHEN TIGHTENED, ALLOWING THEM TO LOOSEN OVER TIME.
Consequence:
THIS CAN CAUSE THE HUB BOLTS TO BREAK AND RESULT IN THE WHEEL SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CLEAR PLASTIC COATING FROM THE BRAKE ROTOR MATING SURFACE ON THE BACK OF EACH WHEEL AND FROM THE WHEEL NUT MATING SURFACES. THE WHEELS WILL BE REINSTALLED AND THE WHEEL NUTS TIGHTENED. WHEELS, HUB BOLTS, AND NUTS WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Notes:
SYSTEM: WHEELS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GXE TRIM LEVEL MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, PLEASE CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : NISSAN Model : MAXIMA Year : 1993
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 94V007000 Recall Date : JAN 10, 1994
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 65000
Summary:
IN SOME UNDERBODY IMPACTS THE AIRBAG SENSOR ACTIVATES AND SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE AIRBAG, LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG TO INFLATE.
Consequence:
AIRBAG INFLATION MAY OCCUR WHEN IT IS NOT NEEDED TO PROTECT THE DRIVER AND MAY RESULT IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER FROM THE INFLATING AIRBAG.
Remedy:
A TUNNEL SENSOR OF DIFFERENT DESIGN WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Notes:
SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; PASSIVE RESTRAINTS; AIR BAGS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT NISSAN SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-647-7261; IN HAWAII CALL 1-808-836-0888. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : NISSAN Model : MAXIMA Year : 1993
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 95V244000 Recall Date : DEC 15, 1995
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 747000
Summary:
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING.
Consequence:
SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND IN THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT CORROSION, AND THE MOUNTING COULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.
Notes:
SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY; PIPE; FILLER; NECK. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT; DELAWARE; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; ILLINOIS; INDIANA; IOWA; MAINE; MARYLAND; MASSACHUSETTS; MICHIGAN; MINNESOTA; NEW HAMPSHIRE; NEW JERSEY; NEW YORK; OHIO; PENNSYLVANIA; RHODE ISLAND; VERMONT; WISCONSIN; AND WEST VIRGINIA. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

 

your gas return line could be cracked. I had a gas smell and thats what mine turned out to be. but if its really strong, not sure. make sure your fuel rails aren't leaking.

 

My 91 SE had this same problem. It was so bad, I had to drive with the windows down in the winter. I even had a local mechanic look at it and he couldn't find the problem. I'd drive somewhere and park and people would come up to me and ask what's what's up with my car? Finally, after six months I popped the hood with it running and I saw gas squirting out from the fuel line just before it goes under the intake manifold. It would make its way to the exaust and give off a half burnt fuel smell. The fuel line from the filter on the firewall is a hack of metal and rubber tube. It was a pain in the *** to try and fix, so I just replaced it with a single rubber hose from the filter to the injector rail. I have not had a problem since.

-PM

 

Guys,

Thank you all very much. I am feeling, I am narrowing down to the problem. Will do check as you guys did. I got printed all your valuable responses and let me get back to you with the results.

thanks
Prithivi

 

Did you find the problem????

 

how did you manage to get new fuel rail and injectors from a filler tube recall? shops are usually hard *** even with a recall.
thanx...
oh yeah, and what shop did you go to. im from Barrie, the great North.
later

 

I don't think he said it was for the fuel filler tube..he said that this was done on an 88, and if I remember correclty there was a fuel rail heat sheild(or something to that fact) recall for the 2nd gens and the full fix inlcuded new injectors if the current ones had been affected by the original problem...I could be way off, but I read about that somewhere on here a loooooooooong time ago

 

mybest23, CO binds with more affinity to hemoglobin than O2, so you carry less O2 and therefore you get dizzy.

 

Like DaMax said. I guess it was a bit confusing. My point was that when you buy a used car you should check and make sure any recalls on that model were done by the previous owner. I then gave an example using an '88 that I bought used. There was a recall for leaking o-rings on the fuel injectors that the previous owner hadn't had done. I took my car in and ended up with new injectors, rails, fuel temp sensor and a bunch of other stuff. That being said, I then mentioned that there is a recall on the 3rd gen for the filler tube.

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your info on Recalls. My vehicle was eligible for a Fuel tank problem ( Corroded Filler). You can also see if you have any recall on your vehicel @

https://www.mycarstats.com/auto_reca...to_recalls.asp

Also I could figure out there was something wrong on the Air-Con unit. I removed the fuse and now I don't get the fuel smell. I am not sure why it's so but its true. So any of you guys know how AC unit and Fuel systems are inter-related.

Thanks
Raj

 

Guys,

The dealer had declined to do the recall work. Is it possible for a Dealer to do so. I am really upset on this.

thanks
Raj

 

call 1-800-NISSAN-1 and speak with them about the fuel tube recall. some cars are eligible and some aren't. if you ARE eligible and the dealer refuses to do it, these are the people you need to talk to.

 

thanks Matt, Let me do that first.

-raj

 

I have an extra fuel filler tube at home that has never been used if interested... I was able to get the recall done so I have no use for the tube