Erratic Idle & smoke = electrical problem?
08-25-2008, 05:45 AM
#81
Congratulations, I'm glad you have it solved! It would take a while before someone would suggest ECU. As I undersand your idle was still jumping even with idle socket disconnected from IACV, correct? Interesting, I wonder where engine was getting air from to run around 2k at idle if every channel was closed. Anyway, this is pure academic interest, enjoy your car!
08-25-2008, 07:24 AM
#82
Heh yeah well i guess now that the 'issues' with the hot cable were out of the way it would have been OK to try the other ECU... I think before we were worried about you frying the other ECU from a lingering problem, right? Either way appears to be good except that random smoke from the valve cover.. hmm did you ever do the front valve cover gasket or just the rear one? Don't feel bad tho.. my friend's car is a 'chain smoker' if you know what i mean. Shoulda seen the smoke she put out after we did the headgasket... OH wait... you can! http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u...t=MVI_1428.flv
See if the smoke happens every time you start it (engine cold) or just this time
See if the smoke happens every time you start it (engine cold) or just this time
08-25-2008, 04:08 PM
#83
Well, I haven't done any gasket replacement, the "mechanic" did, but I'm not sure if front and rear ones, never ask him about that.
Indeed getting rid of the hot cable make me take the chance and try the ECU and I was worried if I should reset ECU somehow before just plugging it in, but I didn't do anything I just plug the ECU and everything seem to work fine.
Wow, that video is from a car that just had replaced the valve cover gasket? I'll check for smoke today again.
I have a couple of questions I was willing to get your opinions about it.
Since this engine is supposed to be 80k miles and Tranny is just rebuilt, I was willing to put as much care as possible, so...
Can I change my oil to Full Synthetic at this moment? is it worth it?
Before I had all the problems with my car I use to put the middle grade gas on the Maxima, with gas prices so high... is it worth it? can I just use regular now that my engine is healty or I should stick with the middle grade gas from now on?
Thanks!
Indeed getting rid of the hot cable make me take the chance and try the ECU and I was worried if I should reset ECU somehow before just plugging it in, but I didn't do anything I just plug the ECU and everything seem to work fine.
Wow, that video is from a car that just had replaced the valve cover gasket? I'll check for smoke today again.
I have a couple of questions I was willing to get your opinions about it.
Since this engine is supposed to be 80k miles and Tranny is just rebuilt, I was willing to put as much care as possible, so...
Can I change my oil to Full Synthetic at this moment? is it worth it?
Before I had all the problems with my car I use to put the middle grade gas on the Maxima, with gas prices so high... is it worth it? can I just use regular now that my engine is healty or I should stick with the middle grade gas from now on?
Thanks!
08-25-2008, 04:14 PM
#84
This is my opinion on gas grade, if you have a high compression engine or a forced induction engine, use high grade gas. The owners manual for the VG reccomends at least 91 octane. I am not sure why because from what I have heard and seen the knock sensor does not retard timing if you use 87. VE's have proven that poor effects will happen if anything below 91 is used. So the bottom line is VG with stock timing will do ok on pretty much whatever grade pleases you. If you advance the timing, use higher octane. If you buy a VE use a high octane. If someone who knows why the VG manual reccomends 91 or higher steps in, I hope they speak up because I am not too sure.
I am not too sure if that helped. I recently switched back to 87 from 93 (Ironically since gas just went down) and have noticed no difference in gas mileage, performance, etc.
I am not too sure if that helped. I recently switched back to 87 from 93 (Ironically since gas just went down) and have noticed no difference in gas mileage, performance, etc.
08-26-2008, 09:07 AM
#85
Well, yesterday I drove the car about 2 miles and when I turn it on I check for smoke and nothing. however when I arrived at the car wash I popped the hood and I feel the car too hot for that 1 mile drive.
Honestly I don't know, probably I worry too much, but the other car doesn't feel that way after driving it such a short distance, besides my temp needle seems ok, radiator fans work fine, well I just want to let you know about this.
Anybody have an opinion about the Synthetic Oil? I heard it's much better but I don't know if it's worh it for our cars, or if there's a special care before doing this, I would like to know what do you guys think, and if you are running synthetic, yes, no, why?
Thanks!
Honestly I don't know, probably I worry too much, but the other car doesn't feel that way after driving it such a short distance, besides my temp needle seems ok, radiator fans work fine, well I just want to let you know about this.
Anybody have an opinion about the Synthetic Oil? I heard it's much better but I don't know if it's worh it for our cars, or if there's a special care before doing this, I would like to know what do you guys think, and if you are running synthetic, yes, no, why?
Thanks!
08-26-2008, 09:11 AM
#86
Well, yesterday I drove the car about 2 miles and when I turn it on I check for smoke and nothing. however when I arrived at the car wash I popped the hood and I feel the car too hot for that 1 mile drive.
Honestly I don't know, probably I worry too much, but the other car doesn't feel that way after driving it such a short distance, besides my temp needle seems ok, radiator fans work fine, well I just want to let you know about this.
Anybody have an opinion about the Synthetic Oil? I heard it's much better but I don't know if it's worh it for our cars, or if there's a special care before doing this, I would like to know what do you guys think, and if you are running synthetic, yes, no, why?
Thanks!
Honestly I don't know, probably I worry too much, but the other car doesn't feel that way after driving it such a short distance, besides my temp needle seems ok, radiator fans work fine, well I just want to let you know about this.
Anybody have an opinion about the Synthetic Oil? I heard it's much better but I don't know if it's worh it for our cars, or if there's a special care before doing this, I would like to know what do you guys think, and if you are running synthetic, yes, no, why?
Thanks!
synthetic is better. your JDM engine is nice and fresh and synthetic will help keep it that way.
VG engines get HOT. VE, not so much for some reason. My UIM back by the fuel pressure regulator hit 160*F after idling for an hour!!! that's hot!! of course that was pre-spacers.... after the spacers it was down to like 140 or 135.
08-26-2008, 09:36 AM
#87
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,042
^^i dunno caped.
some might get hot. or maybe rmd is touching his top hose.
my ve was hot...bout as hot as johns 4th gen.
my vg does'nt run as hot though even with the a/c on.
i figured with advanced timing and the use of premium my car would run a bit hotter.
you have intake spacers?
RMD:
if the gauge is 1/2 way or a lil bit lower it's fine.
i use synthetic oil in my car; seems to be fine with it and i use it because she gets driven alot and hard also.
some might get hot. or maybe rmd is touching his top hose.
my ve was hot...bout as hot as johns 4th gen.
my vg does'nt run as hot though even with the a/c on.
i figured with advanced timing and the use of premium my car would run a bit hotter.
you have intake spacers?
RMD:
if the gauge is 1/2 way or a lil bit lower it's fine.
i use synthetic oil in my car; seems to be fine with it and i use it because she gets driven alot and hard also.
08-26-2008, 10:08 AM
#88
^^i dunno caped.
some might get hot. or maybe rmd is touching his top hose.
my ve was hot...bout as hot as johns 4th gen.
my vg does'nt run as hot though even with the a/c on.
i figured with advanced timing and the use of premium my car would run a bit hotter.
you have intake spacers?
RMD:
if the gauge is 1/2 way or a lil bit lower it's fine.
i use synthetic oil in my car; seems to be fine with it and i use it because she gets driven alot and hard also.
some might get hot. or maybe rmd is touching his top hose.
my ve was hot...bout as hot as johns 4th gen.
my vg does'nt run as hot though even with the a/c on.
i figured with advanced timing and the use of premium my car would run a bit hotter.
you have intake spacers?
RMD:
if the gauge is 1/2 way or a lil bit lower it's fine.
i use synthetic oil in my car; seems to be fine with it and i use it because she gets driven alot and hard also.
and yea i have spacers
. Aaron used my car as the test car. The instruction sheet .PDF has pics of my car in it. Basically, I own the first VG on planet earth with them 
Sorry didn't mean to slap you that hard. 
08-26-2008, 11:23 AM
#89
Yes 1992maximase30, my temp needle is below 1/2, and I don't mean any specific part of the car is hot (I know top radiator hose should be really hot) but I mean just by getting close enough to the engine bay your face gets the feeling of being close to an oven, I don't know how to explain in detail but I think I'll be checking my engine bay carefully in case I'm missing something that could be causing this.
Caped, any particular reason you use 89 octane? I fill up half tank with 87 on sunday, but I don't know if I should keep it that way or get back to 89 as before.
BTW, I just notice this stupid mechanic put water on my radiator instead of antifreeze, could that increase the heat on the car? or water works the same as antifreeze for cooling purposes?
Caped, any particular reason you use 89 octane? I fill up half tank with 87 on sunday, but I don't know if I should keep it that way or get back to 89 as before.
BTW, I just notice this stupid mechanic put water on my radiator instead of antifreeze, could that increase the heat on the car? or water works the same as antifreeze for cooling purposes?
08-26-2008, 11:39 AM
#90
Yes 1992maximase30, my temp needle is below 1/2, and I don't mean any specific part of the car is hot (I know top radiator hose should be really hot) but I mean just by getting close enough to the engine bay your face gets the feeling of being close to an oven, I don't know how to explain in detail but I think I'll be checking my engine bay carefully in case I'm missing something that could be causing this.
Caped, any particular reason you use 89 octane? I fill up half tank with 87 on sunday, but I don't know if I should keep it that way or get back to 89 as before.
BTW, I just notice this stupid mechanic put water on my radiator instead of antifreeze, could that increase the heat on the car? or water works the same as antifreeze for cooling purposes?
Caped, any particular reason you use 89 octane? I fill up half tank with 87 on sunday, but I don't know if I should keep it that way or get back to 89 as before.
BTW, I just notice this stupid mechanic put water on my radiator instead of antifreeze, could that increase the heat on the car? or water works the same as antifreeze for cooling purposes?
I use 89 because my timing is slightly advanced. 3 degrees isn't enoug imo to warrant full 93, so i just use 89. I've used 93 and it felt no different and gave no different MPG so it isn't worth the extra $$$ right now.
08-26-2008, 12:04 PM
#91
stupid ****ing mechanic.... go put antifreeze in it. water boils at 212*F. Antifreeze doesn't boil until it gets alot hotter. Dunno how much hotter, or if that would cause your oven-like engine bay or not. But even so it's totally stupid of him to put straight water in there.
I use 89 because my timing is slightly advanced. 3 degrees isn't enoug imo to warrant full 93, so i just use 89. I've used 93 and it felt no different and gave no different MPG so it isn't worth the extra $$$ right now.
I use 89 because my timing is slightly advanced. 3 degrees isn't enoug imo to warrant full 93, so i just use 89. I've used 93 and it felt no different and gave no different MPG so it isn't worth the extra $$$ right now.
08-26-2008, 04:51 PM
#93
Yes 1992maximase30, my temp needle is below 1/2, and I don't mean any specific part of the car is hot (I know top radiator hose should be really hot) but I mean just by getting close enough to the engine bay your face gets the feeling of being close to an oven, I don't know how to explain in detail but I think I'll be checking my engine bay carefully in case I'm missing something that could be causing this.
Caped, any particular reason you use 89 octane? I fill up half tank with 87 on sunday, but I don't know if I should keep it that way or get back to 89 as before.
BTW, I just notice this stupid mechanic put water on my radiator instead of antifreeze, could that increase the heat on the car? or water works the same as antifreeze for cooling purposes?
Caped, any particular reason you use 89 octane? I fill up half tank with 87 on sunday, but I don't know if I should keep it that way or get back to 89 as before.
BTW, I just notice this stupid mechanic put water on my radiator instead of antifreeze, could that increase the heat on the car? or water works the same as antifreeze for cooling purposes?
Last edited by Max_5gen; 08-26-2008 at 04:54 PM.
08-26-2008, 06:17 PM
#96
08-27-2008, 11:13 AM
#97
Well, I live in California and weather has been from warm to hot as hell, I guess I shouldn't worry about cooland get frozen since cold weather is nothing to worry here.
But I still feel safer if I put 50/50 mix, I think I'm not whole filled with plain water, because I notice there's a little green on radiator, but reservoir tank have plain water and the radiator water/anti-freeze seems a little brownish I think that's corrosion right? I think it's because car was seated there for over 6 months, anyway I'm gonna drain and fill this weekend I just want to have the peace of mind to have everything running like new and a well maintenance done properly.
But I still feel safer if I put 50/50 mix, I think I'm not whole filled with plain water, because I notice there's a little green on radiator, but reservoir tank have plain water and the radiator water/anti-freeze seems a little brownish I think that's corrosion right? I think it's because car was seated there for over 6 months, anyway I'm gonna drain and fill this weekend I just want to have the peace of mind to have everything running like new and a well maintenance done properly.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CAN-Toronto FS: Emanage Ultimate and plug/play Harness
knight_yyz
General Maxima Accessories (All Generations)
2
11-06-2015 02:34 PM
ballerchris510
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
9
09-10-2015 09:35 PM