mikexstuff

Hello all
I have an 89 Pulsar NX and one day I noticed a loss in power, just out of nowhere. Going up hill seemed to challenge this normally zippy engine. The power band died off at approximately 2500 rpm and even flooring it provided higher rpm's but no power. I took the car to a mechanic friend (no Nissan expert though) and we did the following tests...

-Exhaust check, no problem(np)
-Compression 120 idle, 150 on the throttle
-Fuel filter, np
-Checked ECU to Nissan specs (no prob, but may be misreading)

Ok, deal with the inconvenience of sub-standard power for a few days, adding fuel treatment (not fuel line anti-freeze) and fuel injection cleaner to a fill up and felt a little more response.

2 days later, after a snow storm, the car wouldn't start. It was trying but it just wouldn't catch. Starter motor spins strong but still not turning engine over fully. Then, of course drained the battery trying.

Since then
-Replaced battery
-Added 'Quick Start' to breather
-Confirmed spark to all four plugs via wires
-Removed plugs
-Blew out fuel from potentially flooded intake
-Replace plugs with new 4 NGK's

My mechanic now feels that there is an issue with the fuel delivery..more specifically,

an electronic issue that is causing it to run rich at lower RPM range and run lean at higher RPM range. My brand new NGK's have ashey white tips not the chocolate brown you would like to see.

He has since tried a used replacement ECU (correct match) and still no change, same problem persists......

Now , 2 weeks later, we have set the timing to a higher rpm so I can drive (I drive for my meager living) and within the last two days I have started to hear a louder vibration from the engine and a subtle knock (doesn't sound like it's coming from engine though)
The start-up idle is 2000 rpm, the idle is 1200-1500 and just yesterday it started acting irratic with rpm's of between 400-1700 with a stall once.

I have not bought the Chilton or Haines manuals and i really need this car to survive.
I'm hoping I have not screwed it up by driving it in this condition and I would really appreciate any suggestions or links to advice.

Thank you all in advance
Mike
416-424-2151

bob89sentra

Ok Depending on what engine you have I might be able to help you....

If you have the GA16I then I can help, otherwise I would have no clue.
Look under the hood on the Passenger side of the engine compartment on the firewall, and there should be a plaque with the engine code.... it should either be E16I, GA16I, CA18DE, or CA16DE.
Let me Know
Bob

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89 Sentra owner 9 years 205,000 miles and counting!

mikexstuff

Hello Bob
I in fact do have the GA16i engine.
Please call and I can call you back with an opportunity to talk.
Thank you for your interest.
Mike
416-424-2151

bob89sentra

Ok Since you have the GA16I here is what I think.....
Well this sounds to me like an IGN problem. The spark plug wires and sprak plugs are extreemly notorious to go out. To check for bad wires wait till it is dark and start the engine and pop the hood. If you see any sparking from a spark plug wire to the engine block you will have to replace them. The ONLY spark plugs that should be run in a GA16 are the NGK's, And a lifetime warrenty on wires is also adivsed.
This sounds like a problem with Either the AFM (Air flow meter), or the CTS (coolant temp sensor). The CTS tells the ECU what the engine temp is, and if it were bad you would run rich for most of the time. The AFM also has a feature that will cut the IGN at 2,500 RPM so it will not rev up, but you don't seem to have this problem.
The Stalling and idle RPM problems sounds like bad AAC FICD, and Idle Up solenoids.
Check out my post here reguarding those sensors. It is very common for them to get dirty and cause the engine to idle erraticly, as well as stalling and fuel mixture problems.

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89 Sentra owner 9 years 205,000 miles and counting!