I'm starting to get really suspicious that I might have something horribly wrong. I have 99 Maxima SE with 43K miles. A few months ago, it started to idle really rough. Then I starting having really rough starts about once a month. I had Fuel Injection / Throttle Boday cleaning service done at Jiffy Lube and the problem went away for a while. Now it's back and it's bugging me. I've gone to the dealership three different times and they can't reproduce the problem. They can't seem to find anything wrong with the car. I've been doing some reading of the past threads and I fear I might have blown head gasket on my hands. My powertrain warranty is going to run out soon and I don't want to be stuck with a big repair bill...


Any thoughts...

I really need some feedback....

 

Did you get for engine codes?

Fuel Filter
Spark plugs
oil change
air filter

 

There are only three things needed for the engine to run; compression, spark, and air/fuel. Since it is practically impossible for your engine to have a compression problem with only 43,000 miles look at the other two. The ignition system in our cars is almost fool-proof but you could change the plugs to eliminate that possible cause. Stick with the original NGK PFR5G-11's, about $60.00. That leaves air/fuel. This is where it gets a little tricky. First, replace the air and fuel filters. I would upgrade to the 300ZX fuel filter because it is twice the size of the original and can go 30,000 miles instead of 15,000 like the OE filter and it can be a b1tch to replace. Air filters are all pretty much the same except the K&N panel which is expensive but worth it. After you do these relatively easy things check the ECU for codes to be sure you don't have fuel injector problems.

I would clean the throttle body again just to be sure it is done properly paying particular attention to the very small holes at the bottom just before the throttle plate when it is closed because they can get clogged or partially clogged pretty easily. The last time I did mine I removed the body from the upper intake to make it much easier to get behind the throttle plate and to clean inside the intake manifold as far as I could reach. I didn't have any problems at all removing it but I was VERY careful when disconnecting the hoses and when removing the body itself. The gasket can stick and be damaged so you might want to pick one up just in case. Mine was perfect so I re-used it, again with no problems.

Possibly the worst thing you can do to your car is to take it to Jiffy Lube. Do a search on them and you can see how much simple stuff they can screw up. I remember reading a post about them telling a guy with a CAI that he needed an air filter. When the owner of the car asked the "mechanic" to show him the filter he couldn't even find where it is in the car. Go figure. Telling people they need air filters must be SOP for them. This is only one example of their ineptitude but there are pages of them.

I began doing mods (CAI, Y-pipe, cat, B-pipe, and all the suspension stuff) at about 95,000 miles. My 95 GLE has 120,000 miles and runs perfect but I maintain the hell out of it.

 

ECTS

 

Come again???

 

Check the ignition coils. 99s are known for early failing coils.

 

Thank you "exhip95" and everyone else who responded to my thread. I appreciate it. I think I will sever my relationship with Jiffy Lube and start performing some troubleshooting myself.

Abdul

 

Good for you, by the way JPMAX is right it is most likely the coil packs. I had the same problem one coil was bad an the car just shook and trembled all the time...

 

I've scheduled to take the car into a local shop (run by a good friend and excellent Mechanic) to have it checked out. I'll have them check to see if I have a bad coil(s). Thanks again for the helpful feedback fellas. I hope I can return the favor on future posts or threads. Late.

 

Thanks JPMAX!!

 

I agree here. It's probably your ECTS - Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor.

 

Cool...I'll have my guy check the ECTS unit out as well. Any idea how much a replacement unit goes for? Same goes for the Ignition Coil. Thanks njmaxseltd.

 

coils at the dealer are EXPENSIVE. Try to look in the F/S. I think a certain someone was selling them off his 97 (mtrai)

 

Will do..

I also looked on www.nissan-auto-parts-dealer.com for pricing. Under Nissan>Maxima>Ignition sys>Ignition coil>....it asks for right side or left side. I'm not sure I understand what they're asking for because I've never seen the Ignition coil setup on our cars.

 

The coils are about $75-85 each depending on front or rear and which dealer you go to.

 

Then I was getting a bogus quote from my dealer... $300 bucks? FOR 1!

 

Hmm..maybe they are including installation?? lol.. still way too much.

Just get one from the parts dept and install it yourself.

Or order one from one from one of the discount Nissan dealers we have on here. Courtesy, JRNissan, etc.

 

coils or temp sensor

 

Thanks man..

I'll check out both..

 

FYI Lime isn't a man

And JPMax, I didn't ask if that was for install. I just asked how much they were running. Maybe that was for their "special screw me in the azz" deal they were running, along w/ 2 clutch installs. F that dealer!

 

Off topic, sorry, but I keep seeing "SE-L" club in a bunch of profiles? Do you guys actually have an organized club for SE-L's?, or is that just a way of saying you have an SE-L?

 

Your right...it's a fruit

 

lol

 

You are saying Erica is a fruit? That is not too nice, jk

 

Not at all. Just pointing out a fact about limes. I'm sure Erica is a wonderful person

 

dropping car off this afternoon for my Mechanic. After briefly speaking to him on the phone about my findings at the Maxima.org site he mentioned that I might be looking for problems that might not exsist. He mentioned that if I had a bad coil, the car would run really rough (like a 4cyl) and the check engine light would come on. If it was the ECTS the check engine light would come on also.

He seems to think that Jiffy Lube may have done a ****ty fuel injection / throttle body cleaning. Anyway, I'll keep anyone who cares....posted..

Ab

 

Sometimes the coils don't go completely bad and it's just an itermittent problem... like mine. I have not thrown a code, but one time it did feel like a 4cyl.... I have yet to reproduce that problem... but I have a feeling that I will need to replace a coil when I change plugs here soon.

 

Well..

I just got my car back. My mechanic seems to think I'm going crazy because he found nothing wrong with my car. This has caused my to question his abilities as a mechanic. My car still idles rough, but I'm just going to live with it for right now. I just hope this doesn't turn into a bigger and more expensive problem in the future. Thanks for all for all of the feedback guys..

Ab

 

Try checking for codes yourself.. read it in the faq.

If your mechanic is not willing to help then faq him!

 

Coils:

Try checking them yourself.

There's instructions on here somewhere..

Also, do a visual inspection of each coil. One member had one that was half broken. The bottom part of the coil was loose. It worked most of the time, but every once in a while it would cause the car to run rough.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JPMax
Coils:

Try checking them yourself.

There's instructions on here somewhere..

Also, do a visual inspection of each coil. One member had one that was half broken. The bottom part of the coil was loose. It worked most of the time, but every once in a while it would cause the car to run rough. [/QUO

Cool. I'll check them in the next few weeks.