Car needs a tune up... not sure where to start

19max95 · 09-03-2008, 11:57 PM

Well, it's 155K on it and it aint running like a 4 door sports car it used to be... I am thinking to do a MAJOR tune up but not sure where to start...
So far i am planning to change my:
knock sensor
spark plugs
seafoam- god it needs it
fuel filter
oil filter along with an oil change

What else? What should i check? I know my 5 spd tranny is giving me problems by sometimes not going into 1st, so it will probably need rebuilding along with a clutch change

My goal is to make it a car it used to be (spposed to be). And dont tell me the miles are a problem, because i know maximas still have kick at these miles...

i am serious i need all the helpful feedback i can get... i dont want to give up on the car, i know it's not running like it should

khantalha · 09-04-2008, 12:38 AM

u got everything u need for a good tuneup....
u can try cleaning ur iacv, tb, air filter.....

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khantalha

u got everything u need for a good tuneup....
u can try cleaning ur iacv, tb, air filter.....

thanx , but what is iacv?????

And air filter will have to go snce i will be putting back my CAI

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 01:06 AM

also, i think i have figured out the problem to my cars EXTREME sluggishness... Right now, the cars RPM climbs rather slow (thats what people have noticed also) during WOT....
Flywheel and clutch needs to be replaced..... i think

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 01:15 AM

also, tb i did clean a little bit with "deep creep" from seafoam, definitely increased perforamnce.... but just a little, planning to do it again though...

khantalha · 09-04-2008, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19max95

thanx , but what is iacv?????

And air filter will have to go snce i will be putting back my CAI

Idle air control valve...check the maintenance sticky

Rob20 · 09-04-2008, 01:28 AM

i would definetly clean the iavc and tb check the maf too it could be lowering performance.

*pmohr* · 09-04-2008, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19max95

also, i think i have figured out the problem to my cars EXTREME sluggishness... Right now, the cars RPM climbs rather slow (thats what people have noticed also) during WOT....
Flywheel and clutch needs to be replaced..... i think

If your clutch were toast, during most high-load WOT runs the clutch would break free and it would rev higher than it should.

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob20

i would definetly clean the iavc and tb check the maf too it could be lowering performance.

i forgot to mention that maf is brand new... Old one really gave me problems where my car just stalled for no reason... and by replacing it i thought that was the culprit for the sluggishness... but i guess not

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmohr

If your clutch were toast, during most high-load WOT runs the clutch would break free and it would rev higher than it should.

well, replacing the clutch with the performance one + fidanza aluminum flywheels will only make things better... dont you think???
or its just my tranny needing some attention... thats why i will dedicate a whole day for inspection finding the cause for sluggish performance (0-60 in 8 secs... im sick of posting the vid of it)

its an SE model for God sakes and accelerates like an automatic... takes forever to climb to max rpm

*pmohr* · 09-04-2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19max95

its an SE model for God sakes and accelerates like an automatic... takes forever to climb to max rpm

FWIW, given all else equal, SE/GLE/GXE are all exactly alike performance wise.

djipka · 09-04-2008, 04:52 AM

why don't you try Auto-Rx for cleaning the engine insides

alset2 · 09-04-2008, 05:33 AM

You might want to check to make sure your exuast system isnt plugged up(cats).this could cause VERY sluggish acceleration for sure.

B_Eaze · 09-04-2008, 07:53 AM

do you have any codes?

*IlyaK* · 09-04-2008, 09:42 AM

Post in another forum I made:

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlyaK

Spark Plugs: NGK BKR5E-11 (last for 30k - supposedly the best spark plug for a NA 4th Gen Maxima)

Fuel Filter: 95 300ZX filter...lasts for 30k instead of the normal 15k the Maxima one lasts for

Coolant: Flush out old and put in Toyota/Nissan/Honda OEM from respective dealer. PM me for flush DIY instructions.

Oil: Switch to Mobil 1/Amsoil Synthetic (if not already using, but I recommend doing AutoRX application first) OR use Castrol GTX (not high mileage) if sticking to Dino oil.

Oil Filter: Use Nissan OEM for your year Maxima ONLY (get the tall one because they have two versions)

Air Filter: Get rid of any after market you might have and use Nissan OEM. My K&N filter dirtied my MAF and affected my idle.

Other things to do: Clean IACV, MAF and TB. Adjust idle to be 700-750rpm with NO LOAD. Clean any grounds you can get to as well as doing the Big 3. Check your tire pressure and set to 30-32psi per tire. Change your PCV valve as well and Sea Foam the CRAP out of your car. Literally, you will smoke up the neighborhood.

As you can see, I'm no slouch when it comes to maintenance. PM me if you have any question. You do what I just typed up and your mileage should approach 19-21mpg (if your O2 sensors are good and exhaust has no leaks).

represent24 · 09-04-2008, 11:55 AM

i would do my oxygen sensors if you've never changed them. clean your mass air flow sensor with crc mass air flow sensor cleaner (it works!). besides that your on the right path.

Feldman · 09-04-2008, 12:26 PM

Change your tranny fluid too, wrong viscosity could make it hard to shift from gear to gear. I am very happy with the redline synthetic. Make sure you get gl-4 fluid though NOT gl-5

xkazik · 09-04-2008, 01:15 PM

pcv valve ?

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djipka

why don't you try Auto-Rx for cleaning the engine insides

Auto-rx? do they sell it in autozone?

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alset2

You might want to check to make sure your exuast system isnt plugged up(cats).this could cause VERY sluggish acceleration for sure.

well, i would like to upgrade the stock one with stillen exhaust, and maybe add a y pipe, and UDP

I will leave stock cats though for Smog reasons...

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by represent24

i would do my oxygen sensors if you've never changed them. clean your mass air flow sensor with crc mass air flow sensor cleaner (it works!). besides that your on the right path.

yes 02 sensors were never changed... another thing added to the list!

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xkazik

pcv valve ?

pcv valve? what is that? sorry, im a newb...

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feldman

Change your tranny fluid too, wrong viscosity could make it hard to shift from gear to gear. I am very happy with the redline synthetic. Make sure you get gl-4 fluid though NOT gl-5

that is for a manual right?

JWoodstock0617 · 09-04-2008, 02:29 PM

i'd say your knock sensor...i had the same problem...but with like 60k miles. if you already put a new knock sensor on and it still is very sluggish, that sensor is picking up a knock, and purposely slowing the motor down to run like poop so that so you don't cause more damage by overworking it.

19max95 · 09-04-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWoodstock0617

i'd say your knock sensor...i had the same problem...but with like 60k miles. if you already put a new knock sensor on and it still is very sluggish, that sensor is picking up a knock, and purposely slowing the motor down to run like poop so that so you don't cause more damage by overworking it.

I've been told that knock sensor had to be changed like 55K ago... i still have the old one, lol
net wednesday the car will get a tune up hopefully...