1998 Nissan Maxima floods when trying to start

Hi maxiwontstart! How long is the delay when you go to crank it?

Are there any trouble codes present?

I'll guarntee you the O2 sensor was good. The flooding problem will be detected by the upstream O2 sensor, and that would set the code. There has to be 3 things to start an engine, spark, fuel, and compresssion. Has anyone started by looking at engine mechanical?

Don't get frustrated. Cars can be very difficult to work on at times, but they can all be fixed with patience, perseverence, and a diagnostic approach. If it's not firing, we can conclude that the spark is either insufficient, or a communication problem with the powertrain control module.

If they say they have checked everything, and still can't figure it out, it's time to try another shop, and not the cheapest one in town. How much money have you got invested in the last two shops?

Absolutely. Let me know if you need more assistance/advice.

I doubt it. There is a possibility this could be a whodunnit since the problem began with the transmission replacement. I would want to have the shop recheck their work and make sure this problem wasn't human induced.

Wow, you've been putting up with this for a year? I would suggest to go ahead and find a good shop and agree to start with an hour of diagnosis time and see where that gets you. You may need to buy more time if they feel they are getting somewhere with a resolution to the problem.

You must ask lots of questions, have a good dialouge with the shop, and never let a stinking cat lay on the porch too long before you get it resolved.

Take the technician for a ride with you, reproducing the symptoms you described for the technician. Got to have everyone on the same page.

Hi guys,

I have just been reading these posts and if I may I will add my 2 bob's worth, ok. As I see it the problem is hard to start tending to flood but when up and running is ok. So this is what I would be doing, start with cleaning or fitting new spark plugs, checking gaps are ok, or if iridiums fitted don't touch gaps, hook up fuel pressure gauge and key to start (don't crank) check rail pressure, is this ok? Have engine on an oscilloscope or a good quality scanner with ignition snap shot capability and attempt start check ignition KVa readings, my thoughts are that you are down on ignition voltage, you can also get an on car injection test done this will pick up leaking injectors, you can also get the exhaust gasses checked on a 5 gas analyzer, if the Hc's are up you may have an injector leaking, just a few thoughts to help you along a bit.

Mark (mhpautos)

G'Day,

well some operators are only after you hard earned $$$ and stuff the rest, with the information now at your disposal and a few tests that can be done quite easily, have a talk to a few work shops and see how you get on, I will keep watching.

Mark in Australia.