My maxima is a 2002 3.5.

It takes 7 seconds to start and knocks itself to life. The engine sputters bad, but once started the car drives fine. New crank sensor. No codes. Same issue.

I even make sure to let the fuel pump prime before starting.

Any ideas?

 

When starting, does the car cough and sputter as if being flooded? In either case, check your fuel dampener and regulator. If the diaphragm (or one of the connecting hoses) in these units is torn, fuel may pass through the vacuum line and into the intake manifold and flood the engine, making it hard to start.

 

Yes it acts as if it is flooded. Fuel dampener is in engine bay? Regulator is part of the fuel sender unit?

How can i figure which is the cause?

Whats the cheapest fix? Just replace?

 

It's in the engine bay, close to the fuel rail. See pages EC-24 and EC-56 of your FSM - there are pictures. Replace, but check the hoses first.

 

Do you think its the regulator in the gas tank or the dampeners?

I have no tools and no service manual. Just going to replace whichever is the most likely

 

Download the FSM from here: http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/2003/ . And if you want to work on your car, you need to buy some tools ....

 

This is turning into a nightmare. The dampers are $60 each and theres 2 of them. So lame.

Theres no way for me to know if its the regulator or dampers. So frustrating.

 

Find someone with tools to use.

 

Replaced fuel pump, and in tank fuel pressure regulator. Still sputters to life with long crank. Will be replacing both fuel dampers. Will keep this updated. If the fuel dampers don't work what would cause a 7 second crank with sputtering?

 

Remove the spark plugs and see if any of the plugs are running rick, i.e., the ceramic tip is black instead of light tan. You could have a leaking fuel injector.