Engine bogs when pressing the accelerator?

Tiny
SILVERSS07
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 165,000 MILES
Hi, I have the car listed above with a VQ35DE and 5 speed manual. I bought the car as it is and nothing I have done has helped or changed anything and I'm pretty much out of ideas. When pressing the gas, the engine just bogs down. If I barely press the gas pedal it will rev slowly but will eventually rev up to over 4,000 RPMs. It was throwing codes for both the VVT solenoids, and they tested bad so replaced them with Hitachi solenoids. Cleaned both cam sensors. Changed oil and filter. Air intake tubing was cracked so replaced with a CAI. Tested MAF with a multimeter and tested good. New spark plugs and valve covers. Pulled intake plenum and cleaned it and the throttle body with new gaskets. Currently has open manifolds as I took the exhaust off to check if cats were clogged. I checked oil pressure with a gauge and at hot idle it shows 15 lbs. I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. It still shows codes for both VVT solenoids and last time I started it also showed a code for the knock sensor. Haven't had a chance to test the knock sensor yet. Nothing I have done has changed the way the car runs at all. I'm really wondering if throttle body could be bad but cannot find any way to test it. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Saturday, January 6th, 2024 AT 6:32 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
How does the engine sound when it is running? I have seen the engine jump time and have this low power problem. It will also trigger the knock sensor code. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the engine run? That way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response. It takes time to upload so please be patient. In the meantime, let's do a compression test which will tell us if the engine has jumped time. I have included two guides that can help.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Also, can you please tell me the codes numbers? That will help as well.

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2024 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SILVERSS07
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I did a compression test when I had the plenum off and was replacing the plugs. I have the numbers written down at home and will get them for you. If I remember correctly 4 or the cylinders were around 160-170 and 2 of the cylinders were higher around 190-200. The engine was cold. The 2 cylinders that were higher had a good amount of oil in the spark plug wells which was why I replaced the valve covers. I will send a video when I can. It did trip the knock sensor code one time
But it hasn’t since. I didn’t know if that was from running open manifolds or not. Thank you.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2024 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
How does the engine rev in neutral? I have seen the CVT transmissions go out and it will make it seem like the engine has low power? Let's do a code scan and please provide the code numbers.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Also, you may have a clogged exhaust system and I can tell you testing the MAF sensor with a voltmeter will not help if the sensing hot wire is bad. It will just read less air going into the engine which will add less fuel. I would get a new sensor which is a normal service item.

Here is a guide to help check the cats:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2024 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
SILVERSS07
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The car is a 5-speed manual. It will only rev in neutral if I barely press on the gas. Maybe 1/20th of the pedal. If I press the gas pedal any harder, it will just bog the engine. I haven’t attempted to drive it. The cats are currently off the car with no change. Just open manifolds. Codes were p0021 and p0011. Knock sensor code once. I should be able to take a video later today. My scanner can also show some live data if any of that would be helpful. Thank you.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2024 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
SILVERSS07
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Video
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Sunday, January 7th, 2024 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
Thanks for the video. The engine sounds good, which is nice. It could be the knock sensor or a weak fuel pump, Let's do a fuel pressure test before replacing the fuel pump.

Fuel pressure at idling kPa (kg/sq.cm, psi) .................... Approximately 350 (3.57, 51)

You can rent a fuel pressure gauge from the auto parts store.

Here is a guide that should help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Here is how to replace the pump in case the fuel pressure is low. Lack of fuel can cause knock sensor codes as well. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.

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Monday, January 8th, 2024 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
SILVERSS07
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay, thank you. I have a fuel pressure gauge but don’t have the correct adapters for the quick connect so I will see if I can rent one from a local store. I was thinking it wouldn’t be fuel pressure because the engine would rev with very light throttle.
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Monday, January 8th, 2024 AT 9:43 AM
Tiny
SILVERSS07
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I checked with all the local parts stores and the loaners they have don’t have the correct adapter. I looked online and wasn’t able to find one either. Would you recommend cutting the line somewhere underneath the car using a t fitting to check pressure and just adding an inline filter where I cut? Or just replace the pump which looks relatively easy considering there’s an access port and I don’t have to drop the tank.
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Monday, January 8th, 2024 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, I would replace the fuel pump, which is a good idea anyway. They do fail at the most inopportune times. Let me know what happens.
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Tuesday, January 9th, 2024 AT 9:42 AM
Tiny
SILVERSS07
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Put the new pump in. No change.
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Saturday, January 13th, 2024 AT 8:13 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Does it do the same thing "engine bogs" when you drive it? In park or neutral the PCM will have a limiter on the engine RPM.
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Saturday, January 13th, 2024 AT 10:10 AM
Tiny
SILVERSS07
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  • 9 POSTS
Yes. If I hold it to the floor it will stop at about 2400-2500 RPMs. If I barely press the gas pedal will rev all the way.
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Saturday, January 13th, 2024 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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With no codes and proper fuel delivery I would send the PCM in for testing, it sounds like it is bad. Here is the location so you can do so. Search Google or Ebay for a engine computer rebuilder, they have the equipment to test it. You will need to remove the glove box. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Sunday, January 14th, 2024 AT 10:11 AM
Tiny
SILVERSS07
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay, would I be able to just use one out of a junkyard? Also it was showing the vvt codes and one time it showed the knock sensor. Would the knock sensor be worth looking into?
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Monday, January 15th, 2024 AT 4:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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The PCM needs to be programmed to the car to get by the security system. I don't think the knock sensor will cause this kind of problem.
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Monday, January 15th, 2024 AT 9:47 AM

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