I have a 97 Max with 151k miles and lately when I start it up I notice that the car hesitates every so often when I turn the engine over. I replaced the starter about 5 months ago, so I know its not the starter. I put replaced my spark plugs with Bosch platinum (2) double tip plugs around 125k miles.

Went to the dealership and one of their mechanics told me that I should have bought Nissan NGK platinum spark plugs instead of aftermarket.

Any help from would be greatly appreciated.



DMaximus

 

use OEM spark plugs always.

 

Yeah you should have gone with NGK Platinum plugs, but also try cleaning out your throttle body. I remember when I first got my car my cars RPMS would jump to 1500 then to 0 and almost die then go back to 1500, now that I've gotten the TB cleaned out it jumps to about 1500 and stays there and slowly comes down as the car gets warmer.

 

The problem only occurs while attempting to start the engine. I don't have any problems when the car is started with the RPMs.

So, are Bosch platinum plugs no-good?

 

Yes a dirty throttle body affects the starting.

 

DMaximus,
At about 120k or so, I had a problem with starting on my 98. The car would die the first time it was started, then require a bit of cranking before it would fire up. It would then emit grey smoke for a couple of seconds. The problem was only on startup.
I theorised, with the help of crack Max Forum contributors, that dirt in one of my injectors was causing it to stick open, draining out pressurized fuel into one of the cylinders while my car slept. When I tried to fire it up again, the loss of gas pressure and the excess fuel made it die.
I tried a few applications of "in-the-tank" fuel system cleaner. They did not help. I took the car to a mechanic who performed a fuel injector clean, and the car has run great ever since.
So, if it starts then dies, it could be a dirty injector. If it's just stumbling, I'd look at the ignition.