Hi all,

I bought a used 2000 Maxima with 91K miles on it last year.

The car ran great until recently where I can notice a big lack of power *most* of the time. There is no MIL on and I checked codes a while back and there was nothing stored.

It seems the car feels OK for a while after starting it, either if it was cold or warm.

I replaced the air filter just in case but nothing still.

The weird thing is that once in a while the car would feel peppy.

Something else I noticed is the tendency to knock even with 91 gas.

The only other thing done to the car was new tranny fluid and tranny filter but I doubt it would have anything to do with this?

Any suggestions to sort this out?

Thanks!

 

How do you know it's low on power?

 

Knock sensor?

 

Could be another case of dying MAF. You can order one and install it yourself if thats the problem.

 

Mass Airflow Sensor and Knock Sensor could be contributing to the problem. It can never hurt to change your Fuel Filter, either.

 

Because I remember how it felt BEFORE this started.

It is almost there all the time but the car feels stronger after starting for a while.

I was thinking it could be the coils, but if there is no MIL or codes, I guess not.

Fuel filter could be another one or MAF I guess.

Where is the fuel filter, anybody?

Thanks all.

 

Here is a great site w/ lots of good "How-To's"

http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/fuel_filter.html

 

When my coils were bad I never got a code either. But it really did not affect the power, it would just hesitate and then take off.

 

Ah yeah I checked it earlier.

He does not have the fuel filter change info yet.

Anybody else?

Thanks!

 

http://www.forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=314172

 

I would try replacing the spark plugs, the spark plug wires, and the coils. All of that needs to be done eventually even if it is not causing the problem, but at least that way you can rule things out. I would also start running a higher-octane fuel for a little while.

 

What about a engine flush and a set of plugs?
And did you reset your ECU? About the knock'ing, maybe someone advanced the timing?

 

there are no plug wires for our maximas...

 

VIAS? http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=116808

 

VIAS does not kick in till 5200rpm, I doubt he really "feels" that power loss.

 

Relax, Rhite is an Engeneer.
.........................

http://www.forums.maxima.org/member.php?u=65400

 

When my MAF went bad, the engine exhibited low-power, but never threw a code.

 

Did your fuel economy go up? I talked to a mechanic after my MAF blew and he said the engine goes to some default setting that makes the car run leaner and therefore consume less gas. And it causes a drop in hp. In fact as the MAF degrades the ECU compensates until finally it throws a code. So you may notice this behaviour before the SES light comes on. I don't know if he was full of it but it sounded sane to me.

 

No manufacturer would ever MAKE a car run lean. If anything it would run rich, running lean can cause engine damage while running rich will just give crappy MPG.

 

What can I say, I haven’t really been under the hood that much yet, I just got my Maxima about 2 weeks ago. Was also thinking about another car I had that did the same thing just about, in that case it was the spark plug wires. Spelling isn’t my strong suit either , I’m better suited to making things blow up.

Anyways, thanks correcting my mistake.

 

Why would running lean cause engine damage?

 

MAF is more than likely your problem. The PCM keeps compensating for a bad maf, Sooner our later it cant compensate anymore then it will throw a lean code. Basically when the MAFS go bad the read less air than is actually being taken in and they will run lean if let go to long after the PCM can no longer compensate for it. And yes it can cause damage to your Cats esp. your pre cats. As can bad coils.

 

Lean=Heat=Detonation, You can melt things althou rare in newer cars but can still happen.

 

dude nothing personal...
when i first brought my car... it feels so powerful and everything is perfect...
after drivin it for a while and after i put da stupid Injen "cold air" the car is much slower... but guess what... nothing wrong with our cars... the problem maybe just because we got used to the car.... just what i thought tho...

 

MAF going bad.... call DaveB for a nice price.....