1998 Pathfinder Hesitates to Accellerate Smoothly after 2000 RPM's

[johnny98pathy]

Hello,

I just bought a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder SE w/130,000 recently and have put a lot of money into it. (Timing Belt, Exhaust, Water Belt, Passanger side exhaust manifold, front axels) It's been running like a dream until the other day when I was driving on the freeway using cruise control after an 800 Mile trip and I noticed the car start stuttering and hesitating to maintain a constant speed.

Once I got into town things got a lot worse. Stepping on the throttle as I normally would results in serious lag, stuttering (jumpy rpms) and hesitation. If I drive the car extremely slowly and keep the rpms under 2000, the problem will not happen. It will die in traffic simply idleing. However, when it's idling, it sounds normal.

I took it to my mechanic who hooked it up to his diagnostic machine and it reported random misfire. However, no check engine light is on. My mechanic suggested a tune up. I personally replaced the rotor, cap, plugs, and wires. (With the exception on plug #6 which is seemingly impossible to get at) I'll have my mechanic work on that tomorrow.

Although possible, I feel it's highly unlikley that the problem is the one unchanged plug and wire (#6). After some research, I suspect that the issue could be one of the cylinder coils. However, I have no idea. I've got to get this figured out... as this SUV is my only means of transportation.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer! Johnny
Modified by johnny98pathy at 10:20 PM 7/27/2009

[SixGuns]

I was gonna say plugs, but if you've replaced them...1 dead plug out of 6 shouldn't cause the type of problem you're facing. BTW, the tool to get that one plug you didn't replace is in the little pouch, under your back seat. Nissan thought ahead for you on that gayness. When was the last time the fuel system was serviced? I know it doesn't sound like it would effect the engine RPM THAT much, but seriously, I work on outboards and jetskis all day at a marina and I've seen what it'll do. Did you change the fuel filter in all your tuning up? That's got my bet. (watch it be coils)...But, I got the 3.5, not the 3.3...someone with a common problem?

[Buzzman]

Stepping on the throttle as I normally would results in serious lag, stuttering (jumpy rpms) and hesitation. If I drive the car extremely slowly and keep the rpms under 2000, the problem will not happen. It will die in traffic simply idling. However, when it's idling, it sounds normal.

After some research, I suspect that the issue could be one of the cylinder coils. However, I have no idea.

Definitely won't be ignition coils, cause there aren't any. Only on the 2001 and newer.Sounds like a possible fuel starvation problem. Definitely check the fuel filter. You may also want to have your mechanic do a fuel pressure check.Keep us up to date.(FYI, there have been many threads on the #6 plug removal issue.You may be able to come up with something through a search.)

[johnny98pathy]

Thanks for your replies everyone. Since there was no check engine code... my normal mechanic didn't want to deal with it and said the dealership would be better suited to figure out the problem. The problem became so severe that I took it to our local dealership yesterday afternoon. It was dying in traffic, and then the flex pipe to the passenger side cat broke I suspect because of the violent stuttering. I looked around under the vehicle for the fuel filter but didn't see it. I had an 87 Pathy with 345,000 on it and the fuel filter on that was incredibly easy to change and I did it up to twice a year. I don't have the Chiltons manual for this 98... but know I need to pick that up. As for changing that 6th spark plug... I didn't see a tool under the back seat. The dealership told me that some piece had to be removed in order to access that plug and that it would be $175 to change!

I wish I had someone in town other than the dealership who worked exclusively on Nissan's... as I know the dealership is going to tear me a new one!

[Fisherdude]

In my old GMC Jimmy 1998 i had the same problem the whole time i owned the car and it turned out the transmission was the cause of the hesitation and jerking.. 2 weeks after i sold it the transmission blew. after they replaced it, it runs like a dream.

[Buzzman]

I looked around under the vehicle for the fuel filter but didn't see it.

As for changing that 6th spark plug... I didn't see a tool under the back seat. The dealership told me that some piece had to be removed in order to access that plug and that it would be $175 to change!

I wish I had someone in town other than the dealership who worked exclusively on Nissan's... as I know the dealership is going to tear me a new one!

The fuel filter is up above the rear axle on my '02. It should be in the same place on yours, I'm guessing.$175 to change that plug is a total ripoff. The dealer probably has the tool, and will change the plug in 10 minutes, and make a nice tidy profit.Do you know anyone else in your area that has that vintage Pathfinder? Maybe you can borrow the tool.Are there any other dealers in your area?

[Ron Burgundy]

I had a similar problem (and funny enough, I didn't change my 6th plug). They found out that there was a cylinder misfire and the reason there was no check engine light is because the ECU was fried. So they replaced it and it was back to normal.

Maybe suggest that to your local mechanic.

And by the way when they were replacing the ECU, they had the manifold off and replaced the 6th plug for me too. I also didn't have the tool. Found someone who would lend it to me, but the mechanic offered when he was in there so...

[maikan]

The fuel filter is just over the rear axle.Little tip, remove your spare tire and you will have great clearence.I did it yesterday on my 99 path and I guess it didn't change very much from 98.Here in Quebec, Canada the filter cost is about 30 CAD.

[johnny98pathy]

Thanks for the tip on the fuel filter. I sure hope the problem isn't the transmission or the ECU... I haven't even heard back from the dealership yet. Typical. I'm going to call them right now.

[johnny98pathy]

Ok:

Here's the bill of health for the dealership:

Bad Distributor: $650Belts other thank Timing: $760Intake Manifold Gaskets slow leak $ No QuoteShocks, Struts - They say shot... I say fineAC non Functional/Freon Completely Drained (Just had this recharged)Exhaust from Catalytic Converter to Tailpipe shot

Possible Issues:Cam SensorKnock Sensor

Well, this totally sucks.

[Lars]

That sucks man. You could probably get a rebuilt distributor much cheaper elsewhere, and have the belts done for much less too. I had all my belts and waterpump replaced for less than $500 at an independent shop that I trust. Speaking of... when you have the timing belt done, have them replace the waterpump too, it is good insurance AND they will already have it torn down that far = should charge you for the part only.

[Adnan]

i have the same problem but over 4000 rpm...i have to litterally go wot or it bogs up as if it let go the throttle...at this point i think its fuel related

alltough it could be other things as well my truck is a pos