Just last week, my once-good-running 5-speed maxima started to jerk as I gave it gas--the kind of jerking motion that happens when you don't know how to drive a manual trans car. It happens whether engine is hot or cold. When testing it around the block, it stalled on me a couple times, but restarting and gunning it keeps it running. Sporadically it will idle fine, or the idle would jump around a couple hundred RPMs. If I give it gas to about 3-4k rpms, it'll run fine without the hesitation, but then I get a really strong gas odor. I'm thinking about just selling the car instead of fixing it, but would like to know if anyone experienced the same thing and might have an idea what the problem might me. Seeing if I can fix it for cheap before selling it, otherwise I'm selling it at a bigger loss than I would've liked. Thanks!

 

I forgot to mention that the CEL does not come on...

 

Selling the car would be ridiculous in my view.

I suspect it might be sensor related and I'll let others chime in.

For starters, when was the last time you changed your fuel filter?

Have you checked for codes?

Perhaps it is a problem with a fuel injector.

I'm not sure what would cause you to think this problem will cost you a fortune to fix.

I'm sure there are a number of .orgers in your region who would take it off your hands at fire-sale prices, assuming the vehicle is in decent condition.

Be careful what you wish for!

 

check PCV and Fuel Filter as either (or both) might be clogged and still wouldn't throw a code and cause said hessitation

if it is in fact the PCV it would cost you $5 at most to fix, and the Fuel filter would only cost you $12 to replace...

I don't think it's transmittion related since I had the same problem with my auto (hesitation, low RPM's, etc. fixed by changing Fuel Filter, cleaning out EGR tube, and replacing PCV) i'm willing to bet your Fuel-Filter is clogged and your PCV could use a replacement.

like BoBo said, be careful what you wish for a lot of people would be happy to take that Black 5-Spd SE off your hands and fix it for peanuts...

 

Thanks. I'll try those two, but I'm most likely gonna sell it anyway. I thought worst-case scenario it'd be bad fuel injectors so that would cost a bit to fix. I just bought a 2004 g35 6-speed last weekend to replace it. It's just a matter of whether I can easily fix and sell it at market value, or leave it alone and sell it cheap...138K, two sets of tires/rims (snows and regular all-season on 17's), very clean otherwise--you think as-is $1500 would be a reasonable asking price? If fixed, I'm thinking it's worth at least $2500. Don't really care to break the bank on this one as it's already given me 8 years of good service.

 

When a sensor goes bad in the engine, all sorts of things can happen. Your symptoms where similar to the ones I had when my MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor went bad after 125K miles. It's the square-box (3-4") between the intake manifold and the strut housing on the driver side of the car. My car did NOT throw a code when I had these symptoms, but eventually it did. Once I replaced it, everything has been perfect. May want to explore this possibility too. I paid $200 for this $450 dealer part. Installation was no more than 30 minutes with 4 screws.

 

I fixed it for free!!! After checking and rechecking the MAF, turns out that the white and black wires on the MAF harness were slightly cut, causing the wires to sporadically connect and disconnect. Called Nissan for a harness but they said I would need to buy the whole set of engine wire harnesses, so I just snipped the broken ends and twisted them together, finishing up with a neat tape job...Car runs well now!!! Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

 

good job man...imagine had you sold your MAX for peanuts and and orger too it home looked under the hood and twisted those wires together...he'd get a good ride for pennies on the dollar!