Stalling Sentra

I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a 1.8 l engine. A few weeks ago it started
to stall just after I started it. After about the third time I could get it
to run. Over the last few weeks it has been stalling at idle and loosing
power at high speed.
I checked the plugs and they are very clean amd correctly gapped. The
injectors are clicking OK. At idle it runs OK for a few seconds and then the
idle turns lumpy and ragged. It may stall or it may recover for another few
seconds and then repeat the cycle. This happens with the engine cold or at
normal running temperature. It almost sounds like something is clicking on
to put load on the engine and then clicking off again allowing the engine to
run smoothly. Is there something that cycles on and off to load down the
engine. The AC is not turned on.
When it is running, I checked the exhaust and I can feel a mis-fire now and
again. The exhaust gives a "chug". I also notice that the exhaust tip is
very sooty.
I was getting an OBD-II code indicating weak mixture for a while but I had a
hole in the exhaust which I subsequently fixed. The code no longer appears
but I still have the stalling problem. No codes are being set now but the
car is very unreliable.
Anyone have any suggestions what to look for? Thanks.

Hachiroku wrote:
> On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:39:17 -0400, Peter Sheriff wrote:
>
>> I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a 1.8 l engine. A few weeks ago it started
>> to stall just after I started it. After about the third time I could get it
>> to run. Over the last few weeks it has been stalling at idle and loosing
>> power at high speed.
>> I checked the plugs and they are very clean amd correctly gapped. The
>> injectors are clicking OK. At idle it runs OK for a few seconds and then the
>> idle turns lumpy and ragged. It may stall or it may recover for another few
>> seconds and then repeat the cycle. This happens with the engine cold or at
>> normal running temperature. It almost sounds like something is clicking on
>> to put load on the engine and then clicking off again allowing the engine to
>> run smoothly. Is there something that cycles on and off to load down the
>> engine. The AC is not turned on.
>> When it is running, I checked the exhaust and I can feel a mis-fire now and
>> again. The exhaust gives a "chug". I also notice that the exhaust tip is
>> very sooty.
>> I was getting an OBD-II code indicating weak mixture for a while but I had a
>> hole in the exhaust which I subsequently fixed. The code no longer appears
>> but I still have the stalling problem. No codes are being set now but the
>> car is very unreliable.
>> Anyone have any suggestions what to look for? Thanks.
>
>
> First thing I'd check would be the fuel filter...

Yup!

On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:39:17 -0400, Peter Sheriff wrote:

> I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a 1.8 l engine. A few weeks ago it started
> to stall just after I started it. After about the third time I could get it
> to run. Over the last few weeks it has been stalling at idle and loosing
> power at high speed.
> I checked the plugs and they are very clean amd correctly gapped. The
> injectors are clicking OK. At idle it runs OK for a few seconds and then the
> idle turns lumpy and ragged. It may stall or it may recover for another few
> seconds and then repeat the cycle. This happens with the engine cold or at
> normal running temperature. It almost sounds like something is clicking on
> to put load on the engine and then clicking off again allowing the engine to
> run smoothly. Is there something that cycles on and off to load down the
> engine. The AC is not turned on.
> When it is running, I checked the exhaust and I can feel a mis-fire now and
> again. The exhaust gives a "chug". I also notice that the exhaust tip is
> very sooty.
> I was getting an OBD-II code indicating weak mixture for a while but I had a
> hole in the exhaust which I subsequently fixed. The code no longer appears
> but I still have the stalling problem. No codes are being set now but the
> car is very unreliable.
> Anyone have any suggestions what to look for? Thanks.


First thing I'd check would be the fuel filter...

The fuel filter on this car is in the gas tank. Not very easy to get to or
to check. There is no external filter.
The surprising thing to me is that there are no codes set at all. I would
have expected some kind of code since the car is stalling very badly now. I
am at a loss with this one.


"Paul in Houston TX" > wrote in message
...
> Hachiroku wrote:
>> On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:39:17 -0400, Peter Sheriff wrote:
>>
>>> I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a 1.8 l engine. A few weeks ago it
>>> started to stall just after I started it. After about the third time I
>>> could get it to run. Over the last few weeks it has been stalling at
>>> idle and loosing power at high speed.
>>> I checked the plugs and they are very clean amd correctly gapped. The
>>> injectors are clicking OK. At idle it runs OK for a few seconds and then
>>> the idle turns lumpy and ragged. It may stall or it may recover for
>>> another few seconds and then repeat the cycle. This happens with the
>>> engine cold or at normal running temperature. It almost sounds like
>>> something is clicking on to put load on the engine and then clicking off
>>> again allowing the engine to run smoothly. Is there something that
>>> cycles on and off to load down the engine. The AC is not turned on.
>>> When it is running, I checked the exhaust and I can feel a mis-fire now
>>> and again. The exhaust gives a "chug". I also notice that the exhaust
>>> tip is very sooty.
>>> I was getting an OBD-II code indicating weak mixture for a while but I
>>> had a hole in the exhaust which I subsequently fixed. The code no longer
>>> appears but I still have the stalling problem. No codes are being set
>>> now but the car is very unreliable.
>>> Anyone have any suggestions what to look for? Thanks.
>>
>>
>> First thing I'd check would be the fuel filter...
>
> Yup!
>

On 08/16/2011 08:55 AM, Peter Sheriff wrote:
> The fuel filter on this car is in the gas tank. Not very easy to get to
> or to check. There is no external filter.
> The surprising thing to me is that there are no codes set at all. I
> would have expected some kind of code since the car is stalling very
> badly now. I am at a loss with this one.
>
>
> "Paul in Houston TX" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hachiroku wrote:
>>> On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:39:17 -0400, Peter Sheriff wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a 1.8 l engine. A few weeks ago it
>>>> started to stall just after I started it. After about the third time
>>>> I could get it to run. Over the last few weeks it has been stalling
>>>> at idle and loosing power at high speed.
>>>> I checked the plugs and they are very clean amd correctly gapped.
>>>> The injectors are clicking OK. At idle it runs OK for a few seconds
>>>> and then the idle turns lumpy and ragged. It may stall or it may
>>>> recover for another few seconds and then repeat the cycle. This
>>>> happens with the engine cold or at normal running temperature. It
>>>> almost sounds like something is clicking on to put load on the
>>>> engine and then clicking off again allowing the engine to run
>>>> smoothly. Is there something that cycles on and off to load down the
>>>> engine. The AC is not turned on.
>>>> When it is running, I checked the exhaust and I can feel a mis-fire
>>>> now and again. The exhaust gives a "chug". I also notice that the
>>>> exhaust tip is very sooty.
>>>> I was getting an OBD-II code indicating weak mixture for a while but
>>>> I had a hole in the exhaust which I subsequently fixed. The code no
>>>> longer appears but I still have the stalling problem. No codes are
>>>> being set now but the car is very unreliable.
>>>> Anyone have any suggestions what to look for? Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>> First thing I'd check would be the fuel filter...
>>
>> Yup!
>>
>

check the ignition switch. if you have a loaded key ring, it can
prevent the contacts returning to the full "run" position, and over
time, the contacts burn out. very common problem on hondas and when it
happens, you get stalling and no codes. something to check for...


--
nomina rutrum rutrum

Peter Sheriff wrote:
> The fuel filter on this car is in the gas tank. Not very easy to get to
> or to check. There is no external filter.
> The surprising thing to me is that there are no codes set at all. I
> would have expected some kind of code since the car is stalling very
> badly now. I am at a loss with this one.
>
>
> "Paul in Houston TX" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hachiroku wrote:
>>> On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:39:17 -0400, Peter Sheriff wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a 1.8 l engine. A few weeks ago it
>>>> started to stall just after I started it. After about the third time
>>>> I could get it to run. Over the last few weeks it has been stalling
>>>> at idle and loosing power at high speed.
>>>> I checked the plugs and they are very clean amd correctly gapped.
>>>> The injectors are clicking OK. At idle it runs OK for a few seconds
>>>> and then the idle turns lumpy and ragged. It may stall or it may
>>>> recover for another few seconds and then repeat the cycle. This
>>>> happens with the engine cold or at normal running temperature. It
>>>> almost sounds like something is clicking on to put load on the
>>>> engine and then clicking off again allowing the engine to run
>>>> smoothly. Is there something that cycles on and off to load down the
>>>> engine. The AC is not turned on.
>>>> When it is running, I checked the exhaust and I can feel a mis-fire
>>>> now and again. The exhaust gives a "chug". I also notice that the
>>>> exhaust tip is very sooty.
>>>> I was getting an OBD-II code indicating weak mixture for a while but
>>>> I had a hole in the exhaust which I subsequently fixed. The code no
>>>> longer appears but I still have the stalling problem. No codes are
>>>> being set now but the car is very unreliable.
>>>> Anyone have any suggestions what to look for? Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>> First thing I'd check would be the fuel filter...
>>
>> Yup!

Could be a failing fuel pump, too.
Neither the pump nor filter will set codes.

The ignition switch is fine. No loss of dash warning lights when the car is
idling. Tonight I finally got it to idle but it was very rough and stalled
as soon as I put it into reverse. I am a bit suspicious of the MAF sensor. I
checked the static voltages on the plug and they were within the specified
range. I will try to check the dynamic voltages tomorrow.

"jim beam" > wrote in message
...
> On 08/16/2011 08:55 AM, Peter Sheriff wrote:
>> The fuel filter on this car is in the gas tank. Not very easy to get to
>> or to check. There is no external filter.
>> The surprising thing to me is that there are no codes set at all. I
>> would have expected some kind of code since the car is stalling very
>> badly now. I am at a loss with this one.
>>
>>
>> "Paul in Houston TX" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Hachiroku wrote:
>>>> On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:39:17 -0400, Peter Sheriff wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a 1.8 l engine. A few weeks ago it
>>>>> started to stall just after I started it. After about the third time
>>>>> I could get it to run. Over the last few weeks it has been stalling
>>>>> at idle and loosing power at high speed.
>>>>> I checked the plugs and they are very clean amd correctly gapped.
>>>>> The injectors are clicking OK. At idle it runs OK for a few seconds
>>>>> and then the idle turns lumpy and ragged. It may stall or it may
>>>>> recover for another few seconds and then repeat the cycle. This
>>>>> happens with the engine cold or at normal running temperature. It
>>>>> almost sounds like something is clicking on to put load on the
>>>>> engine and then clicking off again allowing the engine to run
>>>>> smoothly. Is there something that cycles on and off to load down the
>>>>> engine. The AC is not turned on.
>>>>> When it is running, I checked the exhaust and I can feel a mis-fire
>>>>> now and again. The exhaust gives a "chug". I also notice that the
>>>>> exhaust tip is very sooty.
>>>>> I was getting an OBD-II code indicating weak mixture for a while but
>>>>> I had a hole in the exhaust which I subsequently fixed. The code no
>>>>> longer appears but I still have the stalling problem. No codes are
>>>>> being set now but the car is very unreliable.
>>>>> Anyone have any suggestions what to look for? Thanks.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> First thing I'd check would be the fuel filter...
>>>
>>> Yup!
>>>
>>
>
> check the ignition switch. if you have a loaded key ring, it can prevent
> the contacts returning to the full "run" position, and over time, the
> contacts burn out. very common problem on hondas and when it happens, you
> get stalling and no codes. something to check for...
>
>
> --
> nomina rutrum rutrum
>

Peter Sheriff wrote:
> I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a 1.8 l engine. A few weeks ago it
> started to stall just after I started it. After about the third time
> I could get it to run. Over the last few weeks it has been stalling
> at idle and loosing power at high speed.
> I checked the plugs and they are very clean amd correctly gapped. The
> injectors are clicking OK. At idle it runs OK for a few seconds and
> then the idle turns lumpy and ragged. It may stall or it may recover
> for another few seconds and then repeat the cycle. This happens with
> the engine cold or at normal running temperature. It almost sounds
> like something is clicking on to put load on the engine and then
> clicking off again allowing the engine to run smoothly. Is there
> something that cycles on and off to load down the engine. The AC is
> not turned on.
> When it is running, I checked the exhaust and I can feel a mis-fire
> now and again. The exhaust gives a "chug". I also notice that the
> exhaust tip is very sooty.
> I was getting an OBD-II code indicating weak mixture for a while but
> I had a hole in the exhaust which I subsequently fixed. The code no
> longer appears but I still have the stalling problem. No codes are
> being set now but the car is very unreliable.
> Anyone have any suggestions what to look for? Thanks.

Have you checked the fuel pressure yet ?

I did notice one thing. The car idles smoothly for a few seconds and then
stalls or runs rough for seconds and then stalls. I noticed that the EGR
valve pulls open at the same time that the rough idle starts. I disconnected
and plugged the EGR vacuum hose and there was no difference so it is not the
EGR itself that is causing the problem. It looks though as if it is some
other vacuum operated system that is causing the problem when the vacuum
builds up in the intake.
I did have a problem code some time ago that was suggesting an air leak in
the EVAP system. I checked out the hoses and replaced the gas cap as the
book suggested to no avail. I just lived with the check engine light for a
while. Since I have been having this idle and surging problem though, that
code has not appeared again. I did nothing to fix it. I did try clamping off
the EVAP hoses and the car still stalled so I doubt that this is the cause.


"Peter Sheriff" > wrote in message
...
> The ignition switch is fine. No loss of dash warning lights when the car
> is idling. Tonight I finally got it to idle but it was very rough and
> stalled as soon as I put it into reverse. I am a bit suspicious of the MAF
> sensor. I checked the static voltages on the plug and they were within the
> specified range. I will try to check the dynamic voltages tomorrow.
>
> "jim beam" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 08/16/2011 08:55 AM, Peter Sheriff wrote:
>>> The fuel filter on this car is in the gas tank. Not very easy to get to
>>> or to check. There is no external filter.
>>> The surprising thing to me is that there are no codes set at all. I
>>> would have expected some kind of code since the car is stalling very
>>> badly now. I am at a loss with this one.
>>>
>>>
>>> "Paul in Houston TX" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Hachiroku wrote:
>>>>> On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:39:17 -0400, Peter Sheriff wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a 1.8 l engine. A few weeks ago it
>>>>>> started to stall just after I started it. After about the third time
>>>>>> I could get it to run. Over the last few weeks it has been stalling
>>>>>> at idle and loosing power at high speed.
>>>>>> I checked the plugs and they are very clean amd correctly gapped.
>>>>>> The injectors are clicking OK. At idle it runs OK for a few seconds
>>>>>> and then the idle turns lumpy and ragged. It may stall or it may
>>>>>> recover for another few seconds and then repeat the cycle. This
>>>>>> happens with the engine cold or at normal running temperature. It
>>>>>> almost sounds like something is clicking on to put load on the
>>>>>> engine and then clicking off again allowing the engine to run
>>>>>> smoothly. Is there something that cycles on and off to load down the
>>>>>> engine. The AC is not turned on.
>>>>>> When it is running, I checked the exhaust and I can feel a mis-fire
>>>>>> now and again. The exhaust gives a "chug". I also notice that the
>>>>>> exhaust tip is very sooty.
>>>>>> I was getting an OBD-II code indicating weak mixture for a while but
>>>>>> I had a hole in the exhaust which I subsequently fixed. The code no
>>>>>> longer appears but I still have the stalling problem. No codes are
>>>>>> being set now but the car is very unreliable.
>>>>>> Anyone have any suggestions what to look for? Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> First thing I'd check would be the fuel filter...
>>>>
>>>> Yup!
>>>>
>>>
>>
>> check the ignition switch. if you have a loaded key ring, it can prevent
>> the contacts returning to the full "run" position, and over time, the
>> contacts burn out. very common problem on hondas and when it happens,
>> you get stalling and no codes. something to check for...
>>
>>
>> --
>> nomina rutrum rutrum
>>
>
>

"Peter Sheriff" > wrote in message
...
> The ignition switch is fine. No loss of dash warning lights when the car
> is idling. Tonight I finally got it to idle but it was very rough and
> stalled as soon as I put it into reverse. I am a bit suspicious of the MAF
> sensor. I checked the static voltages on the plug and they were within the
> specified range. I will try to check the dynamic voltages tomorrow.

A few years ago, my now-deceased partner started having similar problems
with his Ford custom van.
The dealership took the van and replaced his fuel pumps and a number of
other things. When they got
through, he had spent several thousand on repairs and transportation...Then
if failed again.. And they
replaced some more parts, etc etc.

Finally, somebody got the idea to blow out the fuel lines. And that did the
trick. The lines were almost
blocked with a rubbery looking substance.

There IS a moral to this story, and I think everybody knows what it is...If
not, just make one up.