Guys,

I did a lot of MAF sensor searching and reading the threads and can't find an answer to my specific question.

My car was hesitating and shifting weird and in serious low-power mode and I brought it into the dealer. I was also seeing some knocking/pinging under light load (2500 rpm or so) up hills. About a year ago I had my coils replaced under warranty (there's a TSB for it somewhere..)

Of course we went through the bullsh!t where it might be the mods' fault, etc. Then finally they swapped my MAF sensor with one from another car and my car ran great while the other ran crappy. So they are going to replace my MAF sensor under warranty.

From reading the other threads, I know the Stillen POP-Intakes (and various other aftermarket intakes and filters) have been blamed for dead MAF sensors.

So it seems like a new MAF will solve the low power issue. However, will it stop the knocking or am I dealing with coil issues again?

Thanks for your input.

 

Thanks for nuthin, guys!

Anyway I am probably going to pick it up today -- will let you all know how it is.

 

I know this sounds funny, but I was getting knocking and pinging with just my Berk Intake. When I put the FrankenCar midpipe on, the knocking and pinging went away.

 

Oily filters are usually the problem with the MAF.
Clean it and it will work fine again. Mine did!


ADMAN

 

Right, but do the failures thereof ever result in pinging and knocking? No one seems to be able to answer that...

 

Sometimes. My car used to stall at stop lights because the MAF was whacked. It can also cause the ECU to change the air/fuel mixture and/or play with the timing because it cannot determine what the problem is.

Have you checked the flex section of your exhaust as well???


ADMAN

 

this is some dumb question...

why do you oil the filter, and how often do you do it?

 

I blame the quality of Nissan MAF or over-oild K&N filter. Not all MAxima with blown MAF have after market intake. Nissan issued a TSB on replacing MAF.


here is some info on knocking/pinging, credit : Daniel B. Martin.


and a bad MAF can lead you to one of the possibilities above.

 

I still have pinging issues myself and I even replaced my coil packs. The dealership tells me its the dense air in the Injen CAI that causes the pinging under a light load.

What should I do? Maybe I should ask them about my MAF sensor too, mine has never been replaced...

 

Oh my, you dealership has a bonehead for a service manager. Ask him, what if the air outside is 32 deg F? Is that air gonna be any less dense than the air from the cai in 40deg F weather?? geez.

I would request that they switch and see if it makes your car run better. Do you have any other maxima buddies around you that you could swap mafs with? Or try CAREFULLY cleaning it as some others have done(at your own risk)

 

Thanks Jeff
I'll go down to the dealership tomorrow...

 

I have had many of the same issues with my 2000se as I am reading here. Car ran like crap, took off the Stillen hi-flow and went back to the stock box with K&N insert and it ran much better but still not great for a coupla months. I just replaced my MAF and had my ECM reprogrammed and now, the car runs great. The real good news is that the MAF sensors are now incredibly inexpensive (CDN$84.99)which I believe translates into about a buck ninety for you American folk. I even put my Stillen Hi-flow back on and with my y-pipe, I have all my wahoo points back. Do this and you should be fine.

 

Very good to hear!!

Quote:

The real good news is that the MAF sensors are now incredibly inexpensive (CDN$84.99)which I believe translates into about a buck ninety for you American folk. I even put my Stillen Hi-flow back on and with my y-pipe, I have all my wahoo points back. Do this and you should be fine.

CAN$85 canadian is about US$50.

Also -- I heard they cost something like US$400, but that included the housing as well. My service manager told me today that the part he had ordered was actually superceded by a newer MAF sensor, not sure which one that is. Just glad it's covered under my warranty.

 

Well guys,

I got the car back last night. Took it for a decent drive around town and on the highway. It's running great. They replaced (under warranty) my MAF with a new "superceded" MAF sensor part #22680-2Y001.

Although the primary code from the SES light/ECU was P0171 (fuel system lean bank 1), they also said that one of the engine codes that was in the history was P0140, which I'm going to be doing some searches on here. They said it was "heated oxygen sensor #2, bank #1." They said they cannot deal with that particular issue because of my Cattman y-pipe and the relocation of the sensor. The tech said that the slight relocation resulted in putting the O2 sensor "in line with bank #2 not bank #1" .. they said, of course, they'd be happy to fix it if I put my stock pipe back on...

Anyway the car is, at the moment with its new MAF sensor, running superb. Just wanted to let you guys know, especially those of you with similar issues.

Stay

 

Ive had similar issues with my 2000 Max. Im taking my car back to the dealer on Thursday to hopefully resolve this issue. Im going to insist that the problem is a bad MAF.

 

Is the knocking and pinging sound you guys are reffering to like an old piece of sh@t car sound, under light acceleration. B/c I have an injen and my car makes that sound sometimes as well. If so, does a new MAF solve this problem, b/c my dealership had no idea what was causing it?

 

I'm curious too since my car is at the dealer right now being fixed (hopefully) for the pinging, replacing the Blose deck, and dash rattles

 

My car also has the pinging sound, but i am not using the K&N that cam with my berk intake im using a APC dry filter(For Now). Also I only notice the pinging when its about time to do any oil change Nissan told me to use a higher grade of gas(hmm is there any thing higher than 93 octain other than racing fuel....idiots) plus i use valvoline 5w30 syn oil


edit: the pinging was worse when i had the K&N probly because i think i over oiled it, went to the dry cone filter it went away, also the sound is usualy first thing in the morn... My mecanic that i trust says its probly the lifters not getting enought oil when the car is first started.

 

Hey Maine I30, how many miles on your I30?? I am trying to figure when these MAFs tend to go.

 

just got off the phone with Mossy Nissan and their top tech told me that light pinging is normal and help on the gas mileage and if I wanted to take this any further I should contact consumer affairs. WTF?! Never again will I buy another Nissan because of my service experience.

 

maximadave, arent you out in Cali with all that oxigenated gas? Up in the NE, you'd be on oxigenated 'winter' gas right now. You *might* ping regardless.

then again, there is also that ecu harness wire breakage TSB, ugh, I wouldnt want to have to diag that one.

 

the dealer told me that a "light" spark knock is normal and not to worry about it. Well, its definately pinging more than it should IMHO...the dealer said they checked everything including sensors and found no problem. On the other hand, they never mentioned my injen cai when I picked it up earlier today...I guess I'll have to live with it

 

52k. Has had the Stillen Pop-Intake since about 15k miles.

 

not trying to be snide, but that's another reason I'm really glad I bought infiniti this time.

 

I personally would not tolerate any knock at all. I'm no mechanic, but it would seem that your engine is messing with the timing to compensate for SOMETHING. Or your knock sensor isn't working, or whatever. A lot of guys on here know WAY more than me, please jump in...

Of course, if you're not getting any ECU error codes (engine light) it'll be a harder row to hoe..

 

My 95 Max and 2000 I30 both have very light knock at times, even with premium.(Only when accelerating up a slight incline) The manual states light knock is "normal". I would guess that since I have noticed it in both of my cars from day one, then it must be normal to notice it at times. However, if it is during constant speed on level ground them I would suspect bad ignition coils from reading the TSB.


ps my sister has my 95 Max and just reached 110,000 miles. Still going strong!

 

I had all of my coils replaced and on certain hot days I can cruise say around 40 mph in 3rd gear at a constant speed with a "light" tapping or pinging noise coming from the engine. I've been told that long term pinging from an engine can cause premature engine failure I guess I'll have to live with it....

speaking of buying an Infiniti, is their dealer service better than Nissan? My next car would definately be a G35 coupe or 4 door.

 

I had my coils replaced last year, too.

Having owned two Nissans and an Infiniti, I'd say Infiniti service blows Nissan away. Also the warranty is significantly longer. And you get a loaner car, etc. etc.

I'd say if you ask around the .Org re: difference in service, there are several who'll tell you it's actually worth the money... I've had some disagreements with my service manager re: problems and some mods, but it's always been resolved to my satisfaction and they definitely know how to provide excellent customer service and make sure the customer is happy.

 

Does anyone have instructions on how to replace the coils? I searched the website and came up empty!

Thanks,
Eric