Number 3 cylinder is dead

Apr 11th, 2003, 12:34 PM

Ok, here is the short of it.

Head cracked, got new (used) 35k engine. While it was out I had all 4 injectors cleaned (remember that part). Got the engine put all back in and at first seems to run "ok" except for a few small things

1. A bit hard to start the car. Nothing real bad, seemed like it may be flooded. After it was started it ran great.

2. Seemed as if I was getting gas in the oil. I thought I was just being paranoid. You know how it is when you first do and engine swap, very critical about any little thing.

So, anyway I was dealing with these two problems when out of nowhere my car began to idle like crap. I mean REAL bad. But, when I would get on it (like to go up a hill) it had great power and pull. I narrowed it down to the #3 cylinder by simply pulling the plug wire and could see the engine ran no different at idle. Then I pulled the plugs and found that the #3 plug was very fouled up (see the picture below 1 to 4 left to right).

Per a suggestion I bought a compression gauge and checked things out. All of the cylinders are in the 145 to 155 range. Can someone verify that these pressures are ok?

This is when I stumbled on what is going on. While I was moving the compression gauge form one cylinder to another I noticed this "pppsssstttt" sound (like a slow air leak in a tire) coming from the engine. As I got closer I could clearly tell the sound was coming from the #3 spark plug tube. At that point the light bulb kind of came on. I decided to blow a little air down in the spark plug tube to see if any fumes would come out (not the smartest idea) and the gas fumes that came out about knocked me over. It was clear to me that the injector is dumping fuel in to the cylinder while the car was turned off. Then I remembered this little comment that the guy who cleaned the injectors made to me when I picked them up which was "the Nissan injectors are prone to leaking after they have been cleaned".

One last observation I noticed this morning. I turned on the ignition this morning and I could hear the whole fuel system charge up. I have never heard that before. I guess this would all explain why I am getting gas in the oil also, yes???

Ok, here is my theory. The injector is just dumping so much gas in to the #3 cylinder that it can't even fire. And the reason it runs ok and has power on a load is because it can eat up and burn all that fuel.

So, that’s what I'm thinking. Does anyone have any experience with this or have any comments?

ga16det · Apr 11th, 2003, 03:45 PM

just how the good old say'n goes if it aint broke dont fix it..but realy it sounds like the injector is stuck open,the sound of the pressure build up is because it loses pressure thru the injector.also that sparkplug looks like it was running rich.

M.J. · Apr 11th, 2003, 10:07 PM

I'd replace #3 spark plug, and #3 injector.

95 SentraB13 · Apr 13th, 2003, 10:21 PM

What type of injector cleaning did you get done? I was thinking of getting mine ultrasonically cleaned but if you did also I'd probably reconsider that decision or at least use a different dealer.

Apr 13th, 2003, 11:31 PM

Ultrasonic cleaning. Who knows what the rate of failure is after you clean them but I am begginign to think that I should have left well enough alone.

Now I need to get a new injector and go though the whole deal replacing it.

Sherb · Apr 14th, 2003, 01:02 PM

You're not suppose to clean Nissan injectors is what I've heard. Also, did the guy give you that disclaimer before or after cleaning your injectors? I took mine to a shop one day and they wouldn't do it because my car was Nissan.

Apr 14th, 2003, 05:41 PM

He told me after they cleaned them.

It's cool. They got me another injector for 35.00 and they will clean it for free. Should have it installed by the weekend. I'll make sure to pressure test it before I put everything back together.

M.J. · Apr 15th, 2003, 11:05 PM

Use the cleaners, that go in your gas tank with a full tank of fuel.
I use that Valvoline Injector cleaner, every so often, and have never had problems. I have used it from the begining and my car has 103,500 miles on it, and still consistantly get good mileage with it.
I guess if you had them cleaned ultrasonicly the first time, and had one give you a problem, are you sure you want to go that way again after spending 35 to correct it.

Apr 17th, 2003, 07:36 PM

Nope,

Ended up buying a new one. 87.00 from a Nissan dealer out of Phoenix, AZ.

Did not want to go through this again

Apr 18th, 2003, 09:45 PM

Well, here is an update and I hope the end of this story.

I took the fuel rail off and went to pop out that injector that was messed up and it just fell out of the fuel rail. Took a closer look and it seems like it was not installed correctly. The bottom o-ring was trashed (pinched and cut in half). So, instead of replacing the whole injector I just replaced the two o-rings.

I'm happy to report the car is running GREAT now. Idle is perfect and the hard starts have gone away. So, looks like cleaning the injectors ended up ok. The guy who put them back in the fuel rail just did a poor job.

If I could just bet my A/C working now

M.J. · Apr 18th, 2003, 10:22 PM

I'd still change out #3 spark plug though, It might be alright now
but could give you some problems later. ( because it fouled)

Apr 18th, 2003, 10:52 PM

Yup, did that....

SO happy it's runnign good

nastynissan · Apr 18th, 2003, 11:22 PM

CONGRATS!!!!!! Always good to hear of a prob. fixed... I was gonna suggest somthin BUTTTTTTTTTTT......