[ antrx.com ]

U12 Bluebird, Pintara & Stanza => maintenance issues => Topic started by: Cheezel on Jul 3, 2011, 10:34PM

Title: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Jul 3, 2011, 10:34PM
Hi guys!

Long time reader, first time poster, wished we could've met on better terms. :P

Having a bit of trouble with my '90 U12 TRX. At low revs and high load the engine stutters quite badly. I've sent out the feelers and I've understood that - well, this problem can come from just about anywhere. Given the tiny amount I know about cars, I've been able to rule out the following;

Exhaust is 2 1/4", so (im assuming?) better than stock (car came like this. =.=) - given the engine is stock (and, I might add, relatively new having been reforged ~70,000km ago) I assume backpressure couldnt be causing this.

The following I did myself in an attempt to remedy the situation;

Fuel filter is brand new. Fuel injectors have been cleaned (figured neither would be the problem, since it's only in low revs, but it needed to be done regardless)
Intake is a high flow pod filter (this I did myself - yet to do it properly, it's just a short ram atm. Heh, kids these days...  :-\ ) - this was actually one of my desperate measures to fix it myself, but alas, throttle response improved marginally, and with it the stuttering.

So I'm not sure where to go next, or what to check. Kinda lost now :-/
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Colby on Jul 4, 2011, 09:53AM
Manual or auto

Autos do tend to need a tune up after a while, my money would be on that for an auto.
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Jul 4, 2011, 02:51PM
Manual.

Just had the clutch replaced fwiw, only done ~1000km on it. Gear ratios are apparently not stock (except second gear, and it's quite noticeable. No idea why it was left like that..)

Could be a clutch problem? Clutch would still be under warranty, I suppose.

Edit: Just read about le Swirl Control Valves causing issues very similar to mine. That's another potential culprit I should probably check. So, uh... How do I check it?  :-[
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Jul 11, 2011, 01:49PM
So, I checked all the vac lines, despite one being a bit rusty at one end closest to the battery, all seem to be in pretty good nick. The problem's progressed a fair bit and now I've lost a fair amount of power, worrying amounts. It also stalls while idling (I assume this is more to do with the removal of the airbox than the stuttering - mounting a new airbox asap, will post here regarding this).

It's weird, this problem, since it's progressively getting worse. Still random, but occurs more often than not. Spark plug leads are fine and only recently replaced, mayswell check the spark plugs.
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: krip88 on Jul 13, 2011, 09:55PM
well when you find out that would be great. took my car out for a spin today and had the same thing. it wont rev past 2500 before it starts shunting pretty bad. ive got a feeling that it might be a timing issue of something simular. has the same sort of feeling to miss firing, its wierd because one day its fine, the next completly crap.
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Kranzy on Jul 13, 2011, 11:09PM
well when you find out that would be great. took my car out for a spin today and had the same thing. it wont rev past 2500 before it starts shunting pretty bad. ive got a feeling that it might be a timing issue of something simular. has the same sort of feeling to miss firing, its wierd because one day its fine, the next completly crap.

Sounds like yours is in limp home mode. Do a diagnostic check and see if your getting any fault codes of sensors that's forcing it to limo home mode.
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Jul 14, 2011, 12:18AM
A bit of an update on my car; now have a custom airbox fitted (aka a paint tin. ;D lol) with an air inlet, which has helped my newly-developed idling issues. The temp sensor that was in the airbox is still out. I've noticed that the stuttering, which would be more accurate to say "quick transition between regular power and almost no power" is completely gone. It's now just low-power 24/7. However, it drives fine at all rev ranges, but consumes twice as much fuel.

I thought it might be the Swirl Control Valves, but if it was an issue with those being constantly shut, I should get a bit of a kick at 3k rpm, shouldnt I? AKA an "invisible turbo" as i saw someone else say. But I don't. It just has half as much power. It feels like the car wants to go but it can't. The revs aren't responsive at all, either. Still idles slightly lower then what it did when I first got it (all of 3 months ago). So I'm getting at my wits end. I also noticed the accelerator cable is in desperate need of replacement, but I doubt that's the cause of my problem - since it's still burning as much fuel as before, just going half the distance. BTW - twice as much fuel isn't an exageration. 600km a tank down to 300km (313 to be exact). So... this is quickly going to become an expensive problem... Will keep posting as I go I guess, 'coz this seems like a common enough issue on the forums, just havent found a lot of definitive fixes.

So far the only one I remember was "fiddle with vacuum lines", and "check the SCVs". I'll check the SCVs as soon as I find them.  ;D But I don't think it's going to do much. =/
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: krip88 on Jul 14, 2011, 09:02AM
i would say mine is in limp mode. does and one rear ipswich have a dignostic computer i can borrow and even better land a hand? trying to get a rwc and i dont think it would pass with this problem
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: FuzzyDropbear on Jul 14, 2011, 11:03AM
Hi mate,

The computer itself has a diagnostic mode. Get the FSM here and look for the error codes it returns.
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Jul 18, 2011, 12:19AM
So! Finally got around to checking the ECU. Got a code 41 (air temp sensor) which is probably due to the fact it was disconnected.  :D So i've popped that back in properly, and vwah-lah! Not fixed, perse', BUT it's gone back to being much lighter in the acceleration. And stuttering is back. So! That's fixed my newly developed problem (which is weird since it ran fine without it, then just one day stopped.. running.. fine... =S ) Cleared the computer, took her for a quick spin, checked it again and all is well.

So... now I'm back to square one. I've noticed the Swirl Control Valve is disconnected completely - always has been, since I got the car. There are rubber caps on the ends of the pipes near the swirl control solenoid. So if it's been like that since day one, swirl valves mustn't be the problem, unless they're fluttering around in the manifold? I thought they just seized open when they got old...

Quick recap:
After-market intake
After-market exhaust
ECU is clear
Cleaned out fuel injectors
Replaced fuel filter
Checked all connections in the engine bay

How do you go about cleaning the intake sensors? I'm guessing it's not just a dab of water.
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Jul 19, 2011, 06:27PM
Update for anyone following along with this. Car sat in the garage for a day unused, took it out for a quick spin and everything was fine! Today, as I pulled up my street (with oh-so-many new speed bumps...) it stuttered slightly and went back to being all heavy and slow. Childishly, I cracked the shits and planted my foot ::) It ran perfectly though. Not heavy in the pedal, not sluggish, just fine. So I'm guessing there's a blockage in the fuel system? Would that be it?

It also still starts to pull harder at ~2900rpm, getting a stage 3 chip soon so lets see if it can kill the <3k rpm deadspot.

Edit: It now runs fine after putting my foot down. Needed to make that more explicit. Just for anyone reading in le future. Still not happy though. I keep saying this but I *will* get around to changing the spark plugs. I just dont have any of the tools to do it. Yet...
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Jul 25, 2011, 09:57PM
Update time:

So, installed the stage 3 (or more appropriately stage 2.5) chip, and the car runs fantastically (albeit with a bit of a backfire. :P) Stutter is removed completely, the car drives super smoothly, however I still had that dip in power for the last minute or so of a short trip around to the gym. When I drove home, it was beautiful again. Now I'm just lost. =/
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Kranzy on Jul 25, 2011, 11:29PM
check your fault codes again. See if anything is showing up.
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Jul 26, 2011, 11:03AM
Already did. Code 55 - ive never been so disappointed to see "everything is ok". Lol
As i was driving along this morning i noticed a whistling noise increasing with the engine speed (not wheel speed) through first and second gear, couldnt hear it in third. Sounds like its coming from the RHS. Any ideas?
I also think theres a loose belt in there somewhere. Will have a look for that tonight.

Edit: Eeeep. Loose belt noise sounds like it's coming from the engine. Closest to the drivers side. I don't have an old-timey hearing horn so I can't stick my head down there to check. I'm brand new to all this sorta stuff (trial by fire is the fastest way to learn I guess! :P), so I've got no idea how to check this. I can't pull off the belt assembly while the cars idling to check. =/ Is there some way of checking it *is* the belt assembly after it's all off? From a quick glance at the Gregory's this seems like a massive job. =/
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Jul 28, 2011, 05:47PM
We should really change this thread to "The ever increasing list of problems with Cheezel's car". Or TEILOPWCC for short. Kinda rolls off the tongue.

1.) As above. Only thing I can ascertain is that it's not loose pulleys or belts, since there's no give down there. I guess this is one of those jobs I need to send off to the mechanics, since I dont have the tools to pull the engine out. :(

2.) If I turn hard right while accelerating from pretty much a stop, i get this awkward knocking noise from the rear of the car. I'm assuming this is the exhaust tip knocking on the rear bar? Is this common?

3.) While driving in second/third there's a winding noise that increases with engine speed. Is this the alternator starting to go?

ANY HELP WILL BE REWARDED WITH CANDY! ;D
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Aug 1, 2011, 07:12PM
An update for everyone following at home.

So, I replaced all the spark plugs (my GOD were the old ones dead! I'm surprised the car fired at all.), and figured mayswell test all the spark leads. the head of one of the leads came off as i pulled on it (the metal connector inside the right angled section of the lead). So i hadn't been able to check the car since. Got new leads in there today, but no different unfortunately. It also sounds like the pulley on the alternator has done a bearing, or is about to, since it's making a rather unpleasant noise. Anyone got a spare alternator kicking around in half decent condition?
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Aug 2, 2011, 08:25PM
C-C-C-COMBO UPDATE

So, yeah, I feel like a twat. It was spark plugs  :-[ . In future for any users stumbling across this;

Car revved normally, didn't really 'go'. Worked fine some times, others not. Backfired with an aggresively tuned ECU. Cause was a misfiring/non-firing sparkplug or two.  ::)

END OF THREAD.  :P
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Aug 3, 2011, 10:59PM
Edit:

Spark plugs AND water pump.  :'(  Well shit...
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Habibosaurus on Aug 4, 2011, 11:32AM
Anyone got a spare alternator kicking around in half decent condition?

I have one that was refurbished last year. Offer?

We should really change this thread to "The ever increasing list of problems with Cheezel's car". Or TEILOPWCC for short. Kinda rolls off the tongue.

It can be done if you want... ;D
Title: The ever increasing list of problems with Cheezel's car
Post by: Cheezel on Aug 4, 2011, 11:43AM
It can be done if you want... ;D

HAH! Doooooo ittttt.  :D

Are you a fellow melbourner by chance? I don't trust Aus Post with interstate hauls anymore.  :P
Title: The ever increasing list of problems with Cheezel's car.
Post by: Cheezel on Aug 5, 2011, 02:36AM
So I've pulled the thing apart, flushed the radiator, car is currently sitting in bits in the garage.

I'm thinking it is the water pump, not the thermostat. Flushed the radiator, put just water in it with the intention of flushing it. The hose leading from the block to the radiator heated up quite quickly from the engine side, but almost not at all from the radiator side. My fans also automatically come on full bore.

Once the engine was turned off, the heat eventually drifted to the rest of the hose. The hose was hot to the touch. Like, "ow my freakin' hand" hot. (Technical term. :P)

 My theory is that since the heat is reaching the radiator, and the odd way it's doing it, means that the heat is the part that's moving - not the water. IE the pump is not pumping, water was boiling (or near boiling), in the block, the heat rose and drifted through the rest of the coolant system. To further emphasise this, the radiator cap was ice cold while the hose was boiling hot. Even the inside is ice cold.

Going to pull off the pump tomorrow if I can manage.. I have a feeling this is a bigger job than I'm expecting. Already struggling with 5 allen bolts (one from alternator [it'd be nice to have it out of the way], four from thermostat housing). Any tips? Or just get an allen key in there and whack with a mallet? Already tried WD40... If WD40 doesn't work I'm usually out of ideas.  ;D
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: xxcbonexx on Aug 5, 2011, 03:59PM
Might it be worth it to remove and check your thermostat before tackling a water pump? Just get it out with curses and knuckle blood, boil it in a pot of water and check its operation. Without a thermostat, it should open before the water boils. The temp should be somewhere like 185-195F, where water boils at 212F. I don't know the temp on this thermostat offhand.

Time and again I've proven the maxim that you start your process of elimination with the smallest and simplest items by starting out with the most arduous task and working my way to the eventual face-palmingly simple solution.
Title: Re: The ever increasing list of problems with Cheezel's car.
Post by: Cheezel on Aug 5, 2011, 04:14PM
I don't see how the thermostat is any harder than the waterpump, seeing as how it's just about inside the waterpump. But I'm picking both of the parts up tonight (stock permitting) and replacing both anyhow. I'll test the old parts regardless, and *hope* that one or both of them are actually busted. If not, then I'm seriously boned. Overheating issue with a working pump/thermostat and an unblocked radiator? Le sigh...

Quick question; the fans come on automatically at startup. The temp gauge doesn't work. I'm guessing there's an electrical failure in there.. anyone got an anecdote for me? :D

Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Kranzy on Aug 5, 2011, 05:04PM
There is two sensors to the left hand side of the intake manifold. One is for the ecu, the other is for the temp gauge on the dash.

If the fans are kicking in automatically then the larger plug (ecu sensor) has a faulty connection or issue.

The smaller one is the sensor for the dash gauge.

You can remove the sensors and clean them with some wet and dry paper to make sure there is no corrosion as this will stop the readings from being correct.

The fans come on by default if there is any issue with the sensor for the ecu.
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Aug 6, 2011, 03:31AM
Ahhhh fantastic! Thats exactly what i needed to know.

I just fitted the new pump and thermostat. The thermostat was dead, the pump a little stiff, but working perfectly nonetheless. For anyone doing this in the future; i took the alternator, heat sheild, and water pump pulley off before i even tried to put a socket on the pump bolts ;D all told took an hour or three (broken bolt. FFFUUUU--)

The gauge has been playing up since around the time the thermostat wouldve stopped working... Point of interest i guess. Maybe related? Will see.
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Burga on Aug 7, 2011, 09:52PM
Did you sort out the fuel economy issue/svc/surge at 3k rpm?


I have pretty well much the exact same symptoms.

getting less than 300km per 1/2 tank


 
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Burga on Aug 7, 2011, 09:55PM
Actually, 130km per half tank. very bad.

Anyone else have any ideas?
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Aug 8, 2011, 01:43AM
@Burga, Yeah mate I updated a few posts about. It was crappy spark plugs, as far as I could tell. Not that i've been able to keep the thing on the road long enough to go through a full tank. SCV valves were disconnected anyhow. Check your grounds as well, make sure they're clean and rust free, and check your ECU for error codes. Check the oxygen/petrol mixture ratio (through the ECU). Failing that, give it a proper service. I'm assuming you drive well here, obviously. :P




So everything is running well. Except...  ::)

I'm at my wits end and have no idea what to do. My car runs fine now, the pipes all stay nice and cold, the fans dont come on at start up, I replaced the temp-gauge sensor with a brand new one (since it was only $10), and my temp gauge now likes to climb. Quick. The car does heat up, yes, but not to boiling point. It's like the gauge needs to be calibrated? I have no idea what to do! Everything's running. Pump is pumping, thermostat was mounted correctly and sealed, no leaks.

ATM the car is only running tap water, just because it was going to be flushed and ran, until I noticed that issue. Seriously, wtf. Also, my belt noise is back, but I think it's due to pulley tensioning...

Anyone got a good rule of thumb for checking pulley tension? And WTF is going on with this heating crap! *le sigh*... The radiator cap is cool, the water in the radiator is warm, so it *is* flowing into there, the thermostat (new one) isn't seized. The top radiator hose is very warm, bottom very cool. It seems like liquid is flowing as it should. The temperatures in there are MUCH cooler than what they were - it's working *properly*. It's just that temp gauge. And I don't like driving with a disconnected temp gauge... >:(

Edit: There's only one connection to the sensor. What does it use as a negative terminal? If this was a poor negative, could the temp gauge have a capacitive effect? 'coz it increases linearly. Seems fairly irrelevant to the temperature of the car..
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Aug 9, 2011, 08:36PM
Sensor was munted. Swapped it over for OEM one. Works perfectly.

Need to flush the radiator a couple (hundred) times, and the same for just about every other fluid in the car, but otherwise it's all good. For now! XD
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: mudmav on Oct 6, 2011, 07:25PM
More than likely something in the ignition system playing up
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Burga on Oct 6, 2011, 08:02PM

So everything is running well. Except...  ::)

I'm at my wits end and have no idea what to do. My car runs fine now, the pipes all stay nice and cold, the fans dont come on at start up, I replaced the temp-gauge sensor with a brand new one (since it was only $10), and my temp gauge now likes to climb. Quick. The car does heat up, yes, but not to boiling point. It's like the gauge needs to be calibrated? I have no idea what to do! Everything's running. Pump is pumping, thermostat was mounted correctly and sealed, no leaks.

ATM the car is only running tap water, just because it was going to be flushed and ran, until I noticed that issue. Seriously, wtf. Also, my belt noise is back, but I think it's due to pulley tensioning...

Anyone got a good rule of thumb for checking pulley tension? And WTF is going on with this heating crap! *le sigh*... The radiator cap is cool, the water in the radiator is warm, so it *is* flowing into there, the thermostat (new one) isn't seized. The top radiator hose is very warm, bottom very cool. It seems like liquid is flowing as it should. The temperatures in there are MUCH cooler than what they were - it's working *properly*. It's just that temp gauge. And I don't like driving with a disconnected temp gauge... >:(

Edit: There's only one connection to the sensor. What does it use as a negative terminal? If this was a poor negative, could the temp gauge have a capacitive effect? 'coz it increases linearly. Seems fairly irrelevant to the temperature of the car..

I bought a new thermostat from nissan, put it in with TOP, up, and temp started to almost hit the top of the gauge when the car was idle, say, at the lights. If I put my foot down a bit to get the water pump really going, the temp would drop, so I thought I had a dodgy water pump. Replaced the water pump (which is a pain in the ass), and while I was there I stick my finger into the thermostat hole just to see if it was blocked. The stupid nissan thermostat has a wide body on it which was restricting about 2/3rds of the flow. I turned it sideways and now I have no problems at all. You may want to check which way around you have installed your thermostat.


Still having issues with the stuttering under ~3K and surge after 3K, and fuel usage. :(

I managed to pick up a fuel pressure regulator and swapped it over, with no change. Altho the previous dick head who messed around with the car hooked up the vacuum hoses wrong. I will be looking at ignition next, and possibly SCV/vacuum. I did a quick and dodgy test to see if it was a vac leak from anywhere obvious, using carby cleaner but couldnt find anything. Pinching the hose from the rocker cover doesnt work cuz the hose is too thick and I dont want to damage it by clamping :P. I might just disconnect it and block the hole.

I was checking something out the other night and noticed that a lot of liquid, fuel?, was dripping out of the tail pipe, and being spat out when the pistons pumped. I think the car is just running super rich. I get a sort of hissing/tinkling/rattling noise too when I gun the gas, and also when the car is engine braking.

I havent checked for any ecu codes yet tho. :(
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Oct 6, 2011, 08:51PM
I bought a new thermostat from nissan, put it in with TOP, up, and temp started to almost hit the top of the gauge when the car was idle, say, at the lights. If I put my foot down a bit to get the water pump really going, the temp would drop, so I thought I had a dodgy water pump. Replaced the water pump (which is a pain in the ass), and while I was there I stick my finger into the thermostat hole just to see if it was blocked. The stupid nissan thermostat has a wide body on it which was restricting about 2/3rds of the flow. I turned it sideways and now I have no problems at all. You may want to check which way around you have installed your thermostat.


Still having issues with the stuttering under ~3K and surge after 3K, and fuel usage. :(

I managed to pick up a fuel pressure regulator and swapped it over, with no change. Altho the previous dick head who messed around with the car hooked up the vacuum hoses wrong. I will be looking at ignition next, and possibly SCV/vacuum. I did a quick and dodgy test to see if it was a vac leak from anywhere obvious, using carby cleaner but couldnt find anything. Pinching the hose from the rocker cover doesnt work cuz the hose is too thick and I dont want to damage it by clamping :P. I might just disconnect it and block the hole.

I was checking something out the other night and noticed that a lot of liquid, fuel?, was dripping out of the tail pipe, and being spat out when the pistons pumped. I think the car is just running super rich. I get a sort of hissing/tinkling/rattling noise too when I gun the gas, and also when the car is engine braking.

I havent checked for any ecu codes yet tho. :(
Nah, thermostat was installed correctly. I don't know what you mean when you say "sideways", the thermostat is essentially a flat disc with bits sticking out. It's either one way or the other. The thermostat WILL restrict flow, though. That's it's point, almost. It keeps the coolant circulating the engine at an optimal temperature. It closes and opens slowly and slightly to adjust the amount of water flowing through from the radiator (aka cold water).

I removed the surge after 3k, haven't fixed the surging when i first start the car though. Until it warms up it is not happy to cruise along in first. It's on the long list of "to do"s. Mine is fuel pump related (the thing was on it's last legs). Sorry man.

I read about someone else having all the vaccy hoses munted up. Mine has the SCVs controlled, which probably explains the freaky business in the low end while cold (while SCVs are supposed to be actiive), but it doesnt explain why it's only just started.

Liquid falls out when cold? or warm as well? It's not unusual for water/condensation to drip out of the exhaust pipe. Smell it. If it reeks of fuel, even if it is liquid water coming out. As for it being "spat out when the pistons pump", you realise that at idle the pistons pump at 850 rotations per minute, right? So your exhaust would be leaking something akin to a tap. You mean when you hear that "blub blub blub" noise? That's not the pistons you're hearing, otherwise your engine wouldn't be able to produce power. It needs to move faster than that.

So you've either got a tick at high revs - change engine oil, apparently these cars need thick oil (source: everyone on this website.) - 20W-50 is factory rated.
Or you're pinging, which would explain all your eradic surging. Your fuel pump might be on the way out, since at high revs you're running thing. Depends on which it is - a tick or a ping. Go youtube pinging, it's pretty damn obvious the difference between them when you've heard them... btw it doesn't have to be as loud as the horrific videos on youtube. :P

If it's when the car is braking, i.e no load... does it do it when you take the foot off the gas completely? I'd dare say you just need to run thicker oil. Sounds like you're describing a tick. Reason you can't hear it day-to-day is it's quiet, then it gets louder when you gun it.

My 2c
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Burga on Oct 7, 2011, 12:24AM
Sorry I might not have been so clear in what I meant. Will try to elaborate.

Nah, thermostat was installed correctly. I don't know what you mean when you say "sideways", the thermostat is essentially a flat disc with bits sticking out. It's either one way or the other. The thermostat WILL restrict flow, though. That's it's point, almost. It keeps the coolant circulating the engine at an optimal temperature. It closes and opens slowly and slightly to adjust the amount of water flowing through from the radiator (aka cold water).

Re thermostat.. (trying to explain without a drawn diagram) the bottom part with the spring that sticks into the cooling channel behind the thermostat, which allows coolant to flow (even when the thermo is closed), has two support "legs" on the sides. When the thermo was installed the correct way around, with TOP in the up position, the legs kinda block off the flow.. even with the thermo open, not enough coolant could flow past them. They are quite wide.. almost wide enough to block it off completely. Now I'm not sure if I was given the wrong part, but turning it 90 degrees sideways moves those legs out of the way. Hope this makes sense.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/435814093/Fit_for_Car_Thermostat_NISSAN_21200/showimage.html

I removed the surge after 3k, haven't fixed the surging when i first start the car though. Until it warms up it is not happy to cruise along in first. It's on the long list of "to do"s. Mine is fuel pump related (the thing was on it's last legs). Sorry man.

I read about someone else having all the vaccy hoses munted up. Mine has the SCVs controlled, which probably explains the freaky business in the low end while cold (while SCVs are supposed to be actiive), but it doesnt explain why it's only just started.

Mine seems less sluggish when cold, and first gear doesn't seem to be a problem.

Liquid falls out when cold? or warm as well? It's not unusual for water/condensation to drip out of the exhaust pipe. Smell it. If it reeks of fuel, even if it is liquid water coming out. As for it being "spat out when the pistons pump", you realise that at idle the pistons pump at 850 rotations per minute, right? So your exhaust would be leaking something akin to a tap. You mean when you hear that "blub blub blub" noise? That's not the pistons you're hearing, otherwise your engine wouldn't be able to produce power. It needs to move faster than that.

It was spitting out - just a few drops here and there. Car was at idle, parked on a downward slope, and I could see some clear liquid just inside the tip as well, and spitting out every second or so. I tried to smell a bit to see if it was fuel but couldn't really tell. I only spent about two minutes looking at it as I had just had to jump start it and wasn't in the mood to diagnose it at the time - stupid brake light was on all night and flattened the battery :(. I think I need to adjust the brake light switch there... ugh.

So you've either got a tick at high revs - change engine oil, apparently these cars need thick oil (source: everyone on this website.) - 20W-50 is factory rated.
Or you're pinging, which would explain all your eradic surging. Your fuel pump might be on the way out, since at high revs you're running thing. Depends on which it is - a tick or a ping. Go youtube pinging, it's pretty damn obvious the difference between them when you've heard them... btw it doesn't have to be as loud as the horrific videos on youtube. :P

If it's when the car is braking, i.e no load... does it do it when you take the foot off the gas completely? I'd dare say you just need to run thicker oil. Sounds like you're describing a tick. Reason you can't hear it day-to-day is it's quiet, then it gets louder when you gun it.

I'm currently running penrite 20-50 (extra 10, so 60), which seems to be doing pretty well. I previously had some lighter oil in, and the penrite seems to be much better, especially at start up. It's definitely not pinging, rod knock, lifter tapping, or anything like that - altho I do need to tune up my solid lifters this week, which are making a racket.

It's more like a high pitched hissing or whistling noise.. like air escaping somewhere. I need to go through the SCV and carbon canister connections to make sure that they are ok. I've been wondering if the SCV actuator is the thing which is leaking air or something like that. The noise seems to be coming from that side of the engine. I haven't been able to hear it until the engine is under load, driving around. It also does the whistling when I get up some speed, and take my foot off the accelerator and let the engine brake and slow it down. ie. when the throttle is closed, the vacuum builds up and slows the engine down.

I've been thinking I might need a new fuel pump too, as I'm almost out of options as far as fuel economy goes.

Sorry to hijack your thread - just trying to see if anyone might have a tip or a clue :D
Title: Re: U12 low range stuttering problem
Post by: Cheezel on Oct 7, 2011, 10:51AM
Nah its all troubleshooting, hijack away. ;D. I get what you mean re:thermostat now. My problem is just the temp gauge sender, not heating anymore. Yay for one problem fixed.

Re:whistling, i get that too, but only under 2800rpm - scv lines must be leaking. I was supposed to say "my scvs are disconnected." in the last post. But that failed miserably :P. So anyhow, i must be leaking from one of the vaccum line seals.. Not an issue since i dont have the SCVs in the first place, just annoying. 20 second fix if i can be bothered to find it.

I've seen spitting exhausts before. Not that I'd know what it means other than that there's a little bit of force pushing it, or that it's very small droplets. :P Understandably not in the mood to diagnose though. I'd be pretty frustrated too.

FSM is your friend for the whistling, though. :D