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Idling rough

Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 151,000 MILES
I was driving my car on the freeway doing about 70 and it stalled on me, and it stalled on me I coasted into a gas station luckily off the freeway and had the car towed back to my house. I then put my Autel scanner and code po300 multiple cylinder misfire. I noticed oil leaks on both valve covers I replaced both valve covers all this plugs of riddium. I noticed oil leaks on both valve covers I replaced both valve covers. Replaced all 6 plugs and all 6 coils it's coils. Car started what would you do before period but runs really rough in low idol. Replaced all 6 plugs and all 6 coils it's coils. Car started, it would be 4 but it ran really rough and would stall out. It started fine, revs up no problem, when I let my foot off the accelerator the accelerator it idles very rough and shakes the hood which it never did before I have forget before I had to stall on the freeway. What do you suggest? I have checked all of the vacuum lines nothing is leaking no lines are unattached is touched checked all the electrical plugs everything is working and plug thing is working and plug in. Is after I installed the plugs valve covers inch and coils, I raced the code, and the code is not come back yet. But it will not idle smoothly.
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Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 AT 8:16 PM

25 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

The first thing I would do is perform a compression test to be sure the compression is high and equal.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

You need 140-160 pounds on the test.

I would also check the throttle body for any build-up of carbon causing the poor idle condition.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Start there and let me know the results.

Roy
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Thursday, October 28th, 2021 AT 3:13 AM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Hey Roy, I checked compression it's 150 on all cylinders bellingers. Then I did a scan, and I got a P0021 code. Attached images.
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Thursday, October 28th, 2021 AT 12:54 PM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I cleaned the throttle body when I put the new valve covers plugs and coils on yesterday.
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Thursday, October 28th, 2021 AT 12:54 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, I attached the flow chart for code 21. It is related to the VVT for the cam.

I would start with changing the oil and filter and see if it runs better. Dirt gets in the oil passages and changes the timing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter

Roy
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Thursday, October 28th, 2021 AT 2:15 PM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I changed the oil; it was very black. I just purchased this car a little over a month ago. I bought the filter and oil right away and was going to change it but got doing other things on the car such as new tires new suspension all the way around a new CD axle and hub bearings on the left and I'm going to do the one on the right if I can get this thing running correctly. So, I erase the pending code after changing the oil and starting the engine and it's still rough idle and kind of hesitates when I rev the engine. Is the new variable valve timing control soul annoyed will be in today so I will switch that out. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.
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Friday, October 29th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
MASTER ASE TECH
  • MEMBER
  • 82 POSTS
You can also remove the two-intake camshaft VVT solenoids and check the little screens on them for sludge or debris. Sometimes they can get a buildup on them restricting the oil flow. I've attached the locations for you.
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Friday, October 29th, 2021 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Replace it and keep us updated. We will go one step at a time.

Roy
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Friday, October 29th, 2021 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
The O'reilly's auto parts store sent me the wrong part for the second time, they sent the left side variable valve timing solenoid, I installed that, and a friend is bringing right side tonight. I checked all 6-cylinder compression again, #'s 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 were all 150 #2 was 125. I did it twice on each cylinder. What are the possibilities with #2 25 pounds lower?
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Saturday, October 30th, 2021 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
May I just say, the one step at a time/per day means I'm without my car another day. It's been a week already. If you could tell me three steps would help. I'm not a full-time car mechanic I've rebuilt an engine or two and I've always worked on my own cars for the semi major things and all the small things. I was at sea 5 A&P mechanic in the Air Force for 6 years so I know jet engines really well I know mechanics I know combustion engines and how they work maybe you could help me with a little advance what I can do the next step and I can maybe work through it a little faster. Lol if they send me the right part art first time. Ha ha.
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Saturday, October 30th, 2021 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Disregard last comment/question.
Do you think it is worth giving Rislone high milage compression restore to the oil, I use Castrol synthetic high milage 5w30 oil in the change I just completed. It has blue smoke some not much and vibrating/shaking & loss of power compression in #2 is 125 others 140. No water in oil. Stuck rings in #2 possibly? I bought the car from 1 owner she took care of it and gave it to son to drive and he didn't as oil was super black. I messed up not changing oil right away.
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Sunday, October 31st, 2021 AT 4:01 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
Hi,

I noticed you haven't been contacted for a couple of days. Has any progress been made or is there something I can do to help?

Joe
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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Replaced both VVVT solenoids then codeP0341 replacing both camshaft pos sensors and electrical connector for sensor bank 1. Should be good after that parts come today. It's been a bit frustrating waiting for parts to arrive and delayed due to delivery problems, time of year. Getting there. Hopefly this will fix. I did some research and learned that the VVVT soul annoyed on bank 2 could cause low compression in the closest cylinder to it which is number 2 cylinder so I'm hopeful.
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Did you verify low compression in the number 2 cylinder? You stated in the beginning that the compression was good.

Roy
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021 AT 9:26 AM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Yes, 125 cylinder #2. So, I had a code P0341341I replaced both of the camshaft position sensors I repaired the plug on the bank one center the electrical connector. Started the car still idling rough. It did and I erased code P0341 before I started it again and the code is back. I need help.
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Save the thing as I tell you guys what's going on and then I don't get a response back get a response back so I'm a little frustrated with that part. I think I'm going to call someone. Do you know of any local mechanics in Berkeley that I can take my car too?
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I would try a running compression test on the number 2 cylinder. Even though the compression is decent, it may be low when the engine is running. If that compression is low, you could have a weak or broken valve spring.

Roy
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Thursday, November 4th, 2021 AT 2:25 AM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
How would I know if weak or broken valve spring? Physically view it?
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Thursday, November 4th, 2021 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just to jump in. Sorry for the delay in responses. We are independent contractors that respond to peoples questions when we are able to. Unfortunately this doesn't lend to immediate responses. Sorry for any delays that this causes.

As for finding a broken valve spring there are a number of ways. You can visually inspect them but you can also do what is called a running compression check, lastly would be to check the vacuum on the engine with a vacuum gauge. If the intake spring is the issue then the vacuum will not be stable. Take a look at the chart below that will show this.
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Thursday, November 4th, 2021 AT 5:11 PM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I replaced both camshaft position control sensors. Cleared codes started engine. P0340 code came back.
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 AT 11:48 PM
Tiny
TODDNISSANMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Car was at Nissan dealership for 4 days for diagnosis. What a mistake that was. They didn't diagnose anything. I have the car back at my house. Long cranking time to start and rough idle and blue smoke out of exhaust with off smell. Tomorrow I am going to check compression on cylinder 2. I have a compressor coming in 2 days and I will do a leak test on cylinder number 2 when I have that. I will take more suggestions. Thank you for guidance. I really need my car running. Know any good service techs near Berkeley?
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 AT 11:55 PM

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