I was driving around town today, and after around 10 minutes, and stopping-and going at a few stop signs, all of a sudden I noticed pretty harsh chugging (car jolting back and forth) while in 1st gear and then also in 2nd gear. Even though I drove through first gear and second RPMs below 3k, I'm POSITIVE that it wasn't becaue the engine was dying...

does anyone know why this happened...and if so, what is it called?

I hope it's not anything serious. I just learned driving stick around 3 weeks ago, but I'm getting very good at it now, and I really baby the clutch and tranny.

Anyway, thanks for any help.

 

I have an auto '99 and I had the same problem a couple times..

What I figured was that after coming off hard acceleration, pulling full off the gas, then trying to hit it again but more gently was causing some detonation or something.

I'm not very smart with this car stuff yet My burning interest only started when I started looking for a new car a few months ago and landed the maxima (which was actually the car I really wanted). So please don't flame me if I don't know what I'm talking about!

 

thanks for the concern and input. But was referring to a 5-speed, just incase you didn't know, and my problem is a bit different. help?

 

Actually your description of what is happening seems quite similar....

Also.. are you using high octane fuel? Your Max doesn't like the cheap stuff..

 

When exactly does it lurch? As you're accelerating, or as you take your foot off the gas and try to let the car drift?

 

well, both when i'm trying to accelerate AND letting the car drift...it happened at the low rpms. Lots of hesitation.

 

Was the car chugging AFTER the clutch was fully released? Were you just driving along at part throttle and the car was chugging or were using the clutch? If you were using the clutch while the chugging was going on then it sounds like clutch chatter (typical for the Maxima). You usually don't get it in 2nd gear though. If you were just cruising without using the clutch, then it sounds like a potential fuel injector/ignition/MAF/vapor lock/bad gas problem. Does your car smell like gas (leaky injector)? An ignition coil could be bad. Get a Chiltons manual ($17) and volt meter ($15) and you can test the coil yourself (simple). Your MAF could be bad. Make sure all the connectors to the MAF are secure. Another possible problem could be vapor lock. Has it been really hot where you live? Was your gas tank below 1/2 tank? Vapor lock can cause the engine to stumble and stall until the pressure equalizes in the tank. Sometimes the tank's vent canister fails to work and pressure builds up in the tank and the fuel can't be easily drawn thru the fuel line. Simply release the gas cap (vent the vapors) and keep the tank filled during hot weather and short drives. Keep an eye out for a CEL that codes (EVAP Canister). Bad gas could also be the problem (high water content).



Dave

 

Dave-

As always, you've been very helpful. I'll be very cautious in the next few days I drive the car....thanks for all of the tips.

For some reason, I feel like it's the GAS. I say this because I just filled it up a few days ago, and even though it was Chevron, it was from a station I've never gotten gas from. Hmm...makes me wonder.

 

Update: I think I found my problem. It was my gas. Even though I filled up at Chevron near my college (91 octane, the highest available in CA). I had a funny feeling about the performance of the car afterward. I also ran very bad gas mileage.

I refilled with Chevron back at home, and the car ran great. No hesitation, smooth acceleration, great gas mileage. Man, and I trusted Chevron too...

 

any given gas station could be a shiet station...i wouldn't blame the "chevron gas" but rather blame the station...

 

Yeah well, I'd expect Chevron to have the most strict standards, ya know? And yeah, I know now that stations matter A LOT. There was this Arco station (dunno if you guys have one in your area) but they have the cheapest gas in town, and I used to fill my old Max up with that. And hey, it ran really great.

While the Arco by my college supposedly "adds water into their gas," courtesy of Eric L.

 

whoa... cheap (87) octane gas would do THAT to your car?! well i've always put 91 octane but still... weird

 

no not necessarily. But from personal experience, I blame it on the city of Davis' Chevron station.

Low octane gas has been known to cause pinging/knocking for sure though.