Our Van...

[rpenner54]

This van is going to drive us NUTS off the cliff! When driving it we get a surging when going just about any speed when the rpms are lowers the 2200 rpm. It doesn't happen as bad if we keep the RPMS up. However when driving that's not always possible. I have done Plugs wires, distributor cap and rotor, egr tube, O2 sensor, and I think that's it. Once in a while we get a check engine light however I don't have a code reader for this van (Any good spots to get one?? I can't find one) so I don't know the codes. I just checked the Omh's between the neg terminal and the body screws and got ~1.

Any and all ideas would be good. Otherwise we will just drive this thing into a wall.

 

[Alec]

Can you tell us what the van is, motor, miles, etc?

Kinda hard to help a patient when you don't know who the patient is

 

[Black Magic]

No you Moderators play nice!

 

[Stephen]

We're omnipitant we don't have to play nice

 

[psychotic]

om·nip·o·tent ( P ) Pronunciation (m-np-tnt)
adj.
Having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force; all-powerful. See Usage Note at infinite.

n.
One having unlimited power or authority.
Omnipotent God. Used with the.

 

[Stephen]

Thats us

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by Alec
Can you tell us what the van is, motor, miles, etc?

Kinda hard to help a patient when you don't know who the patient is

It is a Nissan Quest I believe....


Ryan, do they have Ford engines?

 

[Stephen]

I think the Quest and Villager both have a Nissan engine, I think...

 

[Stephen]

Hey Ryan, go to www.freshalloy.com its a Nissan enthusiast website, they have a forum at the bottom that is for Quest owners. I'm sure they can help you out.

Its a pretty good forum, I spent a little time there last year when I was looking at the Infiniti Q45.

 

[rpenner54]

Opps, Yeah its a Nissan Quest with ~120k miles. It has a Nissan 3.0 V6.

Stephen I found that site the other day and have posted over there also. Thanks for that link.

I have no idea on maintence of it before we got it. I have done regular oil changes and all that good stuff.

Its a very strange problem. We may just take it to the mechanic again but who knows if they would be able to fix it.

 

[Alec]

FPR?

 

[rpenner54]

You know that was going to be my next guess. I guess I need to get a chiltons and just find out how to do that one.

I have the factory Nissan manual but its nothing more then how to read the factory Nissan code reader. Sorta useless..

 

[Alec]

Is it running rich at all? I just guessed FPR because you haven't replaced it yet and it could be stuck giving too much fuel.

 

[rpenner54]

Hmm that would make sense. Once in a while we get a rotten egg smell, and its only when it does this. I didn't realize they could get stuck.

 

[Alec]

Yup, they can get stuck either too open or too closed. That's why we tell so many people to replace them!

 

[410Fortune]

A clogged cat converter will cause similar surging and the rotten egg smell.
Time for a new cat?

Also fuel filter and pump are suspect if the 02 sensor is okay and the fuel pressure at the fuel rail checks out.....

DOnt use a FRAM fuel filter........

 

[Alec]

I wouldn't suspect the fuel filter or pump if there's too much fuel. The cat is a possibility though. FPR more likely stuck open IMO.

 

[410Fortune]

More good news!!

My GF has a 92 Maxima with the DOHC 3.0L V6. (215K miles)
There are a few things you should know.

1. The coil is located above the spark plug, the coil packs should be inspected for cracks. I eneded up replacing 4 of the 6 at $100 a pop new, used at junk yard I got mine for $20 ea)
A cracked coil casing will arc to the intake, causing a miss or surging.

2. If your 3.0L has the varibale timing controllers be advised, they go out!! Does your 3.0L tick when you start it up? (variable timing = Maxima, doubt you have it since yo said it has a dist). When the VTC's go bad they cause the timing to go haywire, the fix is to disable them electronically with a ground wire (they are $1200 + to replace)

3. Her car had a CEL, wouldnt pass emissions. replaced CAT converter and exhaust back, $350. replaced 02 sensor, $75. replaced fuel filter, plugs, coils, disabled VTC's, air filter, cleaned intake plenum and throttle body, ran a can of sea foam through the intake and some inthe gas. Runs like new, passed emissions with flying colors and the surging and lack of power is 100% gone........Shop estimate was over $1200 for this work without fixing the VTC's, I did it all for under $600....

Your 3.0L engine is the same that is found in Maxima's, non SE model. I learned all about these engine's here:

www.maxima.org

Very helpful forums.........and people, saved us hundreds and got the emissions to pass........

Hope that helps!

 

[rpenner54]

It does tick when starting up. Man I sure wish I could bring it by you just so you could see if it has all those same parts. I may be down south this Sunday maybe there is a chance we could hook up so you could possibly point out some of these parts? It would be SOOO helpfull.

It's just such a strange problem.