Would like some advice

Has the check engine light come on at all while this is happening? It sounds like a possible timing problem or maybe a spark plug problem. The max air could be the problem but you would notice some fine black smoke coming out of your tailpipe if the car was running rich. If its running lean then u would have to check your fuel filter, fuel pump and fuel injectors for problems. Its easier to know if a car is running rich because you will smell the gas and see the fine black smoke from the pipe.

I had a similar problem with my car (96 Maxima) and it was the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor which tells the PCM (computer) how to regulate engine temperature by controlling: air, gas, ignition timing and coolant usage in the engine. If the Sensor is bad then the PCM will not know how to regulate the engine properly.

Sincerely,
Joe

[quote="anubis679"]

has the check engine light come on at all while this is happening? It sounds like a possible timing problem or maybe a spark plug problem. The max air could be the problem but you would notice some fine black smoke coming out of your tailpipe if the car was running rich. If its running lean then u would have to check your fuel filter, fuel pump and fuel injectors for problems. Its easier to know if a car is running rich because you will smell the gas and see the fine black smoke from the pipe.

I had a similar problem with my car (96 Maxima) and it was the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor which tells the PCM (computer) how to regulate engine temperature by controlling: air, gas, ignition timing and coolant usage in the engine. If the Sensor is bad then the PCM will not know how to regulate the engine properly.

Sincerely,
Joe

Joe,
To answer your question no the check engine light does not come on. And no I dont see any black smoke coming from my tailpipe but I do smell a little bit of gas when I start the car in the mornings. But its not very strong. Would the check engine light come on if the PCM is bad?

Thanks again,
ken