First of all I just got this 2k 5-spd after driving around in a perfectly-working 96se. It's depressing how much slower & unresponsive this car is.

This TSB pretty much describes the problems I'm having:

http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/.../NTB99-075.htm

Service Bulletin Num : 99075
Date of Bulletin: OCT 21, 1999

The hose looks fine but the problem might by the solenoid valve the TSB mentions. I took it to the mechanic and he agrees there is a performance issue but he also said it will cost $200-$300 just to diagnose which valve he needs to replace.

It's currently in the shop for a bad clutch, just wanted to get some feedback here before giving him the go ahead on fixing the problem.

Thanks for any help

 

u know wats funny... i work at a military maintenance shop... and we have this snap on truck come by everyweek... and he's selling his product and one of em caught my attention... it was the modis... and he asked me wat kinda car i have and i said an 01 nissan maxima... and he gave me this card... it was an example card... and on the title it said 01 nissan maxima: poor performance at low rpms lol.... and on the card it explained that they connected the modis and the modis came out with the problem... supposedly on our car over our ecu is where one of the a.c. lines are and it builds up pressure not releasing it and it starts to sweat... as it sweats it drips all over ur ecu connector.... and its continued to say that the ecu connector should be checked... i know it might or might not help its a one in a million shot...

 

A lot of factors come into play. How long ago did you change your air filter? Did you put 92 octane gas? Even a different gasoline brand can affect a world of difference. My knocking/pinging/rattling problem, for example, was solved after I switched from Chevron to 76 and my mpg shoots up.

 

Ever since I got the car 2 months ago I've been using 93 oct. I'll tell the mechanic to check the air filter while he has it, thanks for the tip.

 

you can swap your OEM filter with K&N filters that slides into your stock Air Filter slot. It might be my imagination, but i do feel the gain in performance.

 

Unfortunately the lack of performance is so bad I really doubt changing the filter will help, unless it's just caked with dirt.

If the air filter isn't the problem should I stick with my usual mechanic or maybe (ugh) go to the dealer who may have experience with this issue?

 

maf? its a possibility

 

I would definitely look at the MAF. I think mine is on its way out too, as I feel a little bit of rough idle and a little hesitation at times in lower rpms.

 

I recently posted a thread trying to find out why my 2k 5sp. is lacking performance. Some of the replies I got were O2 sensor, catalytic converter, and/or VIAS-related problems. Thanks for the link. I will check that hose. I also have a 97 5sp. and the difference between the two cars as far as performance is like night and day. I have never raced my 97 and 2k, but from driving the two, I believe my 97 would run off and leave it. I know the 2k is a heavier car, but something is not right. I can really tell the power lag after shifting into 2nd gear. Is this the same thing you are experiencing? Be sure to post any info. if you are able to resolve your issue.

 

it also might help kill your MAF faster

 

I would bet its the MAF. When I first got mine, I thought mine felt more like a Ford Taurus, let alone a maxima. Now just from removing it ( I was very carefull with this thing ) and putting it back in, when I did my intake, it (the MAF) went totally bad. The car would barely run over 3500 rpms, so I changed it. What an amazing differance. Much much more power than before. I know there is no way this can be attributed to the intake. I figured I would share this with you since I had no CEL, so I had no reason to suspect it was bad. Also, I would pop off the coil pack cover and look to see if the coil packs have a grey dot on them. If not, I'm sure those will be next. One more thing on the MAF. My sister just got a 2000 just like mine. I took it for a ride and it felt just like mine now, so no matter what, the extra power is not from the intake.

 

Only if you're a moron when you re-oil it.

 

+1
Never heard of a K&N filter making anything go bad faster. have had one in my '03 for 2 years.

 

woohoooooo you guys were right, it was the MAF. Mechanic didn't even bring it up until I told him about it. He tested it and voila.. it wasn't reading correctly.

Thanks all for the help Another satisfied org customer