Hi guys, you have really helped me out in the past and I'm back again. I was driving home and didn't notice any problems on the interstate. I got off on the exit and saw the Service Engine Light soon come on. When I stopped at the traffic light it sputtered a bit and I was worried it was going to shut off. The warning light went off and I drove home. In neutral while revving it up to around 2500 rpm I hear some rattling/sputtering type sounds. I can tell something is wrong because it just sounds off.

I plan on taking it to a shop and hope they can quickly diagnose it but am worried they might over diagnose to bump up the costs. Can you guys help give me an idea of some likely causes? I did some quick reading and someone else had a similar problem and this was the advice he was given.

There are two common possibilities:
1. Your intake manifold gasket has gone out and your car is sucking in unmetered air causing the symptom you described or....
2. You have a misfire cause by a bad ignition component such as a spark plug, wire, or distributor component.

My brother-in-law had a Nissan truck and said it was a similar sounding issue and it was his catalytic converter which cost him around $550 to repair. I know without knowing the codes it is hard to diagnose but just wondering what are common issues causing this. Hopefully it won't be a big repair bill.

My Maxima is a 2003 SE, around 115,000 miles. Regular service and just had oil changed about 2 weeks ago.

I have also been meaning to do a big tune up and replace whatever needs replacing on a Maxima of this age and mileage and would also greatly appreciate a list of recommended suggestions in terms of belts, plugs, and anything else that usually needs replacing at this interval. I want to spend some money now to save expensive repairs later. At such a low mileage I want to get at least another 50K before I think about selling or trading. Thanks in advance and if any other info is needed I will reply right away.

 

First things first, go to AutoZone and have the codes pulled for free. This eliminates the guessing game and gives you something to go off.

 

My guess is its A ignition coil....you have 6 of them, the cel code might tell you exactly which one or it might not and just say misfire....like he said^ go get the codes checked first or just buy A scanner for 50 bucks and always have it for future codes to help you out. Search here too to see how to replace or check coils.....easy IMO.

 

^this and ^this. Report back after you pull the code(s) and we'll be able to assist you.

 

You can also pick up one of those $3 bluetooth obd2 adaptors and it can read your codes. I love mine

 

Great guess. It was the coli. Total repair was $150 which I thought wasn't too bad. I will buy the reader you suggest as well. He said my car was ready for a tune up which I already knew. He estimated it to be around $500 to $600. I will scour this great forum and look for advice on parts, recommended online stores to buy higher quality OEM, and what I need to have replaced after 117,000 miles.

I paid around $700 at the Nissan stealership before I found this forum for my 60,000 mile checkup but I am guessing they didn't do very much.

 

After I buy a reader I will start a new thread in case any codes show up and will also likely ask your recommendation on my 117,000 mile tune up in terms of what you suggest I have done. My headlights are so oxidized and I am so tired of cleaning them to only have them go hazy again not long after I will probably buy some new headlights at that time as well. I saw some online between $150 -$250 for a pair but will definitely ask here before I buy anything.

Thanks for the great advice! I asked him to check the coils based off your reply.

 

Clear coat the lights

 

Thats what I use too, mines has A nice light too lol....blue effects at night

 

Get some toothpaste and A tooth brush you don't need anymore, could be one you used lol...wash it lol......put the toothpaste on the hazed headlight and brush it like you brushing your teeth and leave it there for A hour, then use some water and brush it off.....do this few times and let me know how they look

 

how did you figure out which coil it was?

 

where did you buy the bluetooth adapter? Is there a link and can you use it to reset throttle and idle relean on the 3.5?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-ELM327-...-/300870978320

 

Thanks man