Hey everyone,

New to the boards (kind of) and just a little bummed/pissed at the moment. I'll try to make this short as possible. Anyhow, my car has been sluggish for the past 6 months and I've pretty much been limping around in my 97 Nissan Maxima SE. I finally was able to get some repairs done this week (so I thought). 6 months ago, my car all of the sudden while accelerating from a stop and mostly in all gears. When accelerating my RPMs would increase (like a slipping clutch) then catch and go normal, until I shift again into another gear the same problem would happen. I eventually got a check engine light. I asked my co worker to check the code and he said it was misfiring in coil packs 3 and 5 firing order. So when I went to check it out. There was oil on the spark plug and coil pack. I was told the vavle cover gasket needed to be replaced front and back along with spark plugs. I didn't have money at the time, so I replaced my spark plugs only and at the time everything seemed like it was fixed. 2-3 weeks later (after replacing the spark plugs myself) it started to do the RPM increase again. My thoughts were the oil was leaking into the coil packs and covering the spark plug again and causing to misfire. Although no check engine light was on this time.

So fast forward to now I finally was able to get my front and rear vavle cover gasket changed. Spent $15 dollars on each spark plug. Originally when I replaced the spark plugs myself. I bought the $2.50 bosch from Kragen. I was told by the mechanic this time that I needed to get the right ones ($15 NGK) to not chance it misfiring. So I went ahead and spent $100 alone on plugs. So they did the repairs, along with my front and rear brakes and rotors and coolant flush (which I doubt they did). $800 later and my RPMs still do the same damn thing.

I doubt its my clutch, because when I replaced my plugs last time my car ran smoothly. The mechanic that worked on it, mentioned something about my aftermarket CAI, but then also mentioned my clutch. My gut feeling is has something with my CAI because we once took it off to replace my starter. Im not sure if we did something wrong or damaged something. The mechanic suggested I put back my stock air box. Which I dont have and need to buy if I do. How can I check to see if my clutch is really the problem that my RPMS are increasing while accelerating. Or to see if its something with my CAI or related parts? Im not really mechanic saavy. So can you please explain in detail. Thanks!

Anybody in the BAY AREA willing to check it out/Diagnose it for me? Thanks!

 

do u have a CEL? If so what code is it throwing?

 

No current ones at the moment. Also, there is no check engine light on either. The only codes that I remember from 6 months ago. Were that the 3 and 5 firing order were misfiring. Which were the ones that had oil on them.

 

The slipping has nothing to do with your other issues.

Are you an auto or 5 speed?

Auto - Your tranny is toast
5 speed - You need a new clutch

 

Im in a 5 speed. So what would be the reason the car was fine after I originally replaced my spark plugs 6 months ago? Cant a misfire cause the car to run like that?

 

Sounds like you're having two problems @ Once.
Your clutch does sound like it's on it's way out, and also for your sluggishness check the usual problems, iggy coils and knock sensor, also check the CAI make sure it's on tight and correct (since you said you fooled with it) and the vacuum lines are all tight and connected.

 

Had a fuel system service done on it at all?

 

Sounds like two separate issues to me. Bad coils/plugs wont make your RPM climb, but a bad clutch will.

Pull your coils off and make sure they are not full of oil again.
Once your coil boots are soaked with oil, down you can write them off. Hot oil will degrade the rubber and cause the spark to ark through to the tube walls. Replacement boots can be bought from rock auto and other places.

BTW $2.00 NGKs work great when replaced once a year, NEVER run Bosch though.

Just my $0.02, If I lived in the bay area Id help, sorry.

 

Redneck repair for you would be to check all your coils and if they are soaked in oil take them and the spark plug out and let it sit for about a half hour for the oil to drain back in. Wipe the coils and plugs down with a rag and wrap electrical tape around the really bad cracked coils (or rubber) for a temporary fix. ^^ IF your clutch is slipping you have to replace that though cause that will get really annoying.

 

Just while you're there.... you should ohm out your injectors with a multimeter... make sure you get 10-14 ohms out of each injector, no less-no more from that resistance. If its above or below chances are that an injector or two may be out of spec... I've already replaced 3 since owning my 4th gen. Injectors just seem real common on Nissan so keep that in your options.

You really need to start looking into the stickies for write-ups and instructions so you don't end up spending ALL that money. You could've really cut that cost down if you've done it yourself

 

Put the stock intake back in as well. The 4th gen runs best with the stock setup.

 

I agree but i like the ROAR of the CAI.

to the OP...CAI wont cause any issues wit sputtering or engine. Its only an intake. Leave it if u like it.

Your clutch is slipping and its jus taking a while to go completely. That is what is causing the increase in RPMs. 300-400 bucks

THe misfire is from oil leakage into yur cylinders. New gasket should fix that.
THe reason why it cost so much is cuz taking off the rear valve cover is a PITA and 3 hrs labor. the Front isnt that bad. But the mech did both so its cool

Take the mech to get a clutch kit and replace everything while yur in there. Be thorough

good luck