Nissan Maxima: 87 Maxima 3.0 engine problem

SkiNautique wrote:
 

Have you checked for vac leaks?
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Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

I have gone over every vac line and both intake gaskets and I am unable to
locate a vaccuum leak. I have spent so much time on this problem I am
going crazy.

SkiNautique wrote:
 

It just about has to be either a vac leak affecting those 2 cylinders or
something wrong with those 2 injectors. I assume you've ruled out the
simple stuff like plug wires and are using the correct NGK plugs?
--

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

Thanks for your help I really appreciate it!! Yeah the cap, rotor, wires,
and plugs are all new. I still do not understand why when I squeeze the
fuel return line almost shut engine smooths out and runs like it is
supposed to. I have never seen this happen before on any car I have worked
on. The injectors that are on the engine now came off of the running
engine in the wrecked car. That motor ran good before the accident. I am
about ready to pull this engine out and install engine out of the wrecked
car..LOL

SkiNautique wrote:
 

Those 2 cyl are lean for some reason. Have you checked the fuel pressure?
 

Did you replace all the injectors or just those 2? Is the EGR valve stuck
open slightly? That is a vac leak and can cause weird problems. Try
removing the vac line to it and see what happens.

--

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

I'm going to buy a 87 Maxima GXE tomorrow (with only 79k miles... lovely).
In doing some online research, I came to find that there is a problem with
the 87's fuel injector. There's was even a standing recall order for them
from Nissan. I read this off the CarSurvey.org site, from the owner of a
87 Maxima:

"I initially bought the car through the internet on a yahoo auction, I
paid $4200. A bit high. But I am a Nissan believer. I flew down and picked
it up in Florida, car was spotless and had been freshly buffed and
detailed.

On the ride from the airport it ran on three cylinders instead of six,
appeared to be the spark plugs not firing correctly. Seller repaired. This
showed up once again in Louisiana, until then the car ran smoothly. From
Louisiana the car fired on three then six cylinders, intermittently, I
believe this bumping and forceful jerking back and forth took out two of
the motor mounts. I took it to my mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel
injector harness was not making correct contact consistently which forced
it to fire incorrectly. THIS had been a recall item when the 87 Maxima
first came out. This work had been done by a Florida dealer, but factory
installation specs direction was that it was to be soldered and not
clamped. The dealer had used the clamped method. The repair shop did a
timing chain and soldered the fuel harness."

Hope that proves helpful to you.

maxiguy wrote:
 

This is incorrect information. The factory recall came with crimp connectors
with heat shrink tubing over them pre installed on the ends of the
replacement harnesses. Someone may have installed them poorly but this is
how they are supposed to be installed. BTW soldering isn't a good idea in
high vibration environments like an engine harness. Every factory harness
has crimp connections and they don't give any problems, soldered
connections will result in the wire breaking next to the solder joint.

--

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

Hi Steve!! Again thank you for your help. I believe the injectors are my
problem. I did not work on it this weekend but did start it today. This
time it did not get all the way warmed up before it started running rough.
The injector rail on the car is off of the running engine that came out of
the wrecked car. The way it was running today acts just like it is losing
those 2 injectors..I wonder if they have gotten some trash on them since
they are the first (#1 &#2)injector on each rail. I flushed the fuel lines
and installed new fuel filter when I got this replacement car for the
wrecked one. Guess I will pull the injector rail off tomorrow and see if
there is any trash in the line...Guess I could try the other injector rail
too..lol..Heck thats all I can do is laugh I guess...cause I do not have a
magic wand..LOL
As far as the wiring harness on the injectors...this engine in this car
just had the heads and injectors done before I bought it..not sure how
many miles ago but heads and injector wirng harness as been changed. All
the injectors have plastic connectors with all clips too so I do not think
my problem is there...