1997 Nissan Maxima car sarts but does not run at 100%

BOYLEAL

MEMBER
1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
6 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
120,555 MILES

Hi I am an 18 year old college student with little money, an auto enthusiast with access to a shop full of tools and equipment, and I recently purchased a Nissan Maxima that has had a few troubles. The previous owner replaced the clutch and installed a high performance aluminum flywheel, but he did not get it surfaced. At first the car was fine except the clutch pedal was engaging a little high and gradually it became apparent I would have to replace the clutch. I replaced the clutch and also surfaced the flywheel and drove for a week before the throwout bearing went out, so I replaced the throw out bearing and put the car back together and when I started it up the car turned over and took a long time to finally turn over and somthing was wrong because my car sounded like a weed-whacker and wreaked raw fuel. There was an exhaust leak that I found between the cat and the front exhaust tube assembly. Now the car starts fine every time (on the 2 0r 3 crank), however the car sounds like a weed-whacker still and does not feel like it has full power.

I used a scanner and pulled these codes:
*P0325 - Knock sensor 1, bank/sensor 1
*P1445 - Purge volume Control Valve

Also: I think EGR system requires attention as well due to the dismal gass mileage (17mpg) and the black soot that has deposited on the inside of my muffler tip.

I have a factory service manual so we can collaborate, if you have one, or I can upload diagrams if needed.

I cannot pay $$$ due to being without a job at the moment, however I can trade services if you are in need of a very knowledgable computer technician to remotely (or in person if you are close enough to the Sonoma county) look at your system and clean it up a bit, such as virus/spyware removal, etc. For free!

1 Reply

YASGER

MEMBER
83 POSTS

I am sorry but I don't have a book but try grasping what is here!

The knock sensor is normally bad on these things. It never shows up on the check engine light. You can replace the knock sensor it's located under the manifold and above the engine. $200. You don't have to replace it though I have not done that.

Ok. The purge thing has to do with something in the back of the car here is a website site about the purge thing. This may take care of the gas mileage situation.

The exhaust thing. Yeah this is common I think on these cars it the piece that is flexible and they want about $500 to replace the part at Nissan. But you could have a place that works on exhaust and may be able to do it for $200. It hard to say get estimates on that.

The clutch. There may be a thin piece of metal that protects the flywheel or clutch from getting dirt and water. It's on the transmission side on the bottom of the transmission facing the motor. That piece is that is a thin piece could be making that noise it sounds like. Make sure those bolts are tight. See if that is the problem.