The car's a 5 speed manual with 145k miles. The question I have is that when driving the car it has a tendency to stutter when accelerating (especially when dropping into second gear)and I have no idea what it could be. The only known problem is that the power steering leaks and the pump may be going out. It makes a really loud groaning sound when turning but the wheel isn't hard. I know this is a very general explanation but unfortunately I'm asking for a friend. Any ideas would greatly help to narrow it down. As far as I can tell it's either the fuel or the spark...but where should we go from here?

Thanks in advance

max87

 

Take it to mechanic.

 

I agree, my power steering was leaking, so if he has fluid dripping from his engine bay, and the power steering reservoir is low, then hey, I think you might have found the problem! A way to test is to fill the reservoir to the top and if the noise goes away, then it's the problem. If he keeps finding fluid, he has a leak either in the high pressure line, or the return, or the reservoir, or the pump. It's a PITA to diagnosis, so most people replace all of this at once.

Also, tell your friend to join the Yahoo! 2nd Generation Maxima Club. He'll enjoy all the info and support he can handle for his 1987.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/second...nnissanmaxima/