I just recently bought a '98 Nissan Sentra GXE w/63k miles from an auction in Florida for a commuter...the car has driven great, has phenomenal gas mileage- I have given it a tuneup, plugs looked good, engine looks good, drive belts are good, timing chain looks good, but I have had a recurring problem with it since I bought it a month ago, and I can't figure it out. Never fails- anytime you drive it for 15 minutes or more, get the engine warm, park and restart, the engine will stall out acting like it's starving for fuel- you have to rev it really high for several minutes or drive it for a few minutes and it is fine. Another thing I have noticed- when I stop at intersections, I smell gas fumes coming through the fresh air vents...no apparent fuel line leaks- mileage hasn't suffered///???I'm at a loss... I thought maybe the injectors or fuel system maybe clogged- I have run injector cleaner through it and the same thing happens..just now after putting gas in it, I was sitting in a drive thru getting lunch and the gas gauge went nuts...I topped off the tank, but the gauge started dropping like a rock, steadied out and went back to only register 3/4 of a tank..anyone here know what to make of this? Any help is appreciated!
It is likely idle air control or throttle position sensor.
You don't get a CEL? Do you have a FSM? If you have a FSM, they have the testing procedures to test those sensors.
__________________ 1991 Sentra SE - Auto to Manual swap, 15" Rota Subzero's, 205/50 Kuhmo 712's, Tsuru headlight conversion, SE-R front and rear disc brakes, SE-R front and rear swaybars, SE-R throttle body, SE-R rear inner taillights, HS CAI and Header, H&R springs, Koni shortened struts, ES Hyperflex kit, B&M Short Shifter, Autometer gauges.
Originally posted by johnand It is likely idle air control or throttle position sensor.
You don't get a CEL? Do you have a FSM? If you have a FSM, they have the testing procedures to test those sensors.
No, the check engine light has not come on...you have to forgive me- it's been awhile since I've worked on a Nissan- I also have a '98 Camaro that's modded...would FSM be similar to AutoTap?
Originally posted by LS1-TCB No, the check engine light has not come on...you have to forgive me- it's been awhile since I've worked on a Nissan- I also have a '98 Camaro that's modded...would FSM be similar to AutoTap?
FSM = Factory Service Manual. Usually you test the sensors w/ a volt/ohm meter. I HIGHLY recommend you pick up the manual. It is worth it's weight in gold when troubleshooting yourself.
Originally posted by johnand FSM = Factory Service Manual. Usually you test the sensors w/ a volt/ohm meter. I HIGHLY recommend you pick up the manual. It is worth it's weight in gold when troubleshooting yourself.
Cool- thanks man! We as auto enthusiasts have tons of acronyms we use...I'll try to pick one up- just thought I'd ask the folks that work on these engines on a regular basis...another guy I know mentioned leaky injectors...would this cause the gas gauge to freak out like it did?
I think you have 2 seperate problems, but I could be wrong. Sounds like the gauge may be a flaky fuel sending unit. Hell, you could even have a bad fuel pump. But, without more specifics like fuel pressures, last COMPLETE tuneup, vehicle repair history, and such, I am just stabing at it. I'll check my FSM tonight and give you some testing specifics tomorrow if that will help.
you did replace the fuel filter right??if it's a clogged injector, misfires will occur and set the light, if no light yet it happens, fuel supply problem, check fuel pressures at the rail and at the pump, just hook up a "t" with the fuel pressure gauge, that should take away half of the diagnostics, bouncing gauge, sending unit or signal wires going to and from instrument cluster, and while you're in the fuel tank, also check for loose baffles, hope this helps.....
fuel filter....sometimes you neglect the simplest of things- that makes sense! I'm in the troubleshooting mode right now, so I know what I'll be doing tonight..thanks for the tip!
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1998 Nissan Sentra GXE
1999.5 Nissan Pathfinder SE
1998 Chevy Camaro Z/28 (w/a few mods...;))
Okay- replaced the fuel filter last night- that's still not it...I will continue to troubleshoot, but I believe now that it has to be the fuel pump. Any other suggestions?
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