|
|
2001 Nissan Altima rough idle mystery!
|
|
|
| |
|
|
nmwaldron
New User
Apr 16, 2015, 4:43 PM
Post #1 of 6
(2793 views)
|
|
2001 Nissan Altima rough idle mystery!
|
Sign In
|
|
Hi there. I hope someone here can give me an idea of where to go.
I recently purchased a used 2001 Nissan Altima with 150k miles on it. The car ran well, no check engine light. The gas mileage was poor and at idle it would drop to around 500 rpm and feel shaky like it was about to stall but didn't. The gas mileage was poor too. Having owned too many old cars in the past I have some idea of simple maintenance. I figured it just needed a tune up. I replaced all of the plugs and wires (the old ones looked like they had never been changed, the rubber on the wire boots was very worn). I also replaced the distributor cap and the distributor rotor. The gas mileage improved but the car still continued to idle rough, dropping back down to 500rpm etc. At this point, after hours searching the web for ideas I came up with cleaning the MAF sensor. I idiotically broke part of it so I bought a new one and replaced it. This brings me up to now. The car still idles poorly and acts like it will stall. Does anyone have any ideas on where I should look next?
Thanks in advanced.
Nathan
|
|
| |
|
|
Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 16, 2015, 6:10 PM
Post #2 of 6
(2775 views)
|
|
Re: 2001 Nissan Altima rough idle mystery!
|
Sign In
|
|
Is the check engine light on? If so, have it scanned and write down the code number(s). Does the check engine light bulb check when you turn the ignition on?
How does it run while cruising and accelerating?
Have seen many of those vehicles with bad motor mounts cause rough idle, vibrations, and shaking.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Apr 16, 2015, 6:10 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
nmwaldron
New User
Apr 16, 2015, 6:28 PM
Post #3 of 6
(2770 views)
|
|
Re: 2001 Nissan Altima rough idle mystery!
|
Sign In
|
|
Hi! Thanks for the response. That's something I forgot to mention. I was struggling with the first spark plug when I removed the others, I had to buy a special tool to get a good enough grip on it to get it out. I'd replaced the other three with no problems (other than them being totally roached!) I ordered the tool to removed the number 1 plug and a week later I finally got the last one out. I think a small part of the rubber boot fell into the spark plug hole. Anyway I installed the final plug (all NKG G-power platinum) and of course it didn't solve the problem but soon after that the check engine light came on. I thought maybe if some of the degraded debris from the wire boot got into the engine filter it may have set it off. I had the code read at autozone and it was a P1441 Evap code. This, of course, from my research could be anything from the gas cap not being on properly/broken to the Catalytic converter needing replacing. That's what led me to the MAF sensor. I also bought I new gas cap but the light is still on.
The car drives good in general, accelerates okay...it's only at red lights/stop signs etc that the RPMs will drop dramatically and the car will start to shake a little.
My next thought was maybe the distributor needed replacing. The whole thing. When I replaced the cap and the rotor I noticed a little oil in there and the rubber seal was half hanging off. I looked to see if you could buy this specific gasket/seal but I can't find it anywhere. It's not the "O" ring but the rubber seal that is between the cap and the rest of the distributor. Obviously I'm loathe to go into replacing the whole distributor if that is not even on the map as far as fixing this problem. I've looked into and can get a used one for around $50 it appears and the installation seems simple enough.
(This post was edited by nmwaldron on Apr 16, 2015, 6:34 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 16, 2015, 7:15 PM
Post #4 of 6
(2761 views)
|
|
Re: 2001 Nissan Altima rough idle mystery!
|
Sign In
|
|
p1441 means the ECU detected small leaks in the EVAP line between the fuel tank and the purge control valve. Probably wouldn't hurt to do a visual of all the lines and components dealing with the EVAP system.
It is hard to give you advice on this without actually being there to confirm what your feeling. Like I mentioned they had engine mount issues cause rough idling. Did this all the sudden happen or has it been this way since you bought it?
Would be interesting to look at data stream information to see if anything stands out.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
|
|
| |
|
|
nmwaldron
New User
Apr 16, 2015, 7:46 PM
Post #5 of 6
(2757 views)
|
|
Re: 2001 Nissan Altima rough idle mystery!
|
Sign In
|
|
I've only owned the car for maybe three months. It is state and emissions inspected through 01/2016 so it had been inspected I think a few weeks before I bought it. It has driven like that since I purchased it. Like I said, I just thought it was a tune up issue and went through all the steps I know. If I took it to a garage just for them to inspect all the hoses etc to make sure there isn't a vacuum leak how much do you think they would charge? Like a hour's labor? Maybe that's what I'll do. Like I said it's incredibly frustrating and puzzling. I just don't want it to develop into something larger and more expensive down the line.
|
|
| |
|
|
Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 17, 2015, 4:54 AM
Post #6 of 6
(2737 views)
|
|
Re: 2001 Nissan Altima rough idle mystery!
|
Sign In
|
|
Not too sure on what a repair shop would charge you, but an hour probably sounds about right to troubleshoot the P1441 code.
I'm imagining if you had ignition troubles you would be having issues other than idle speed. Most, not all, ignition troubles I've ran into really seem to show up when the engine is under load and the spark demand is high.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
2011 Dodge Nitro OBD scanner seems to drain battery in 10-20 minutes
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
Howdy
