240sx 1992 wont start unless new spark plugs are inserted each time.

[manasol]

1992 Nissan 240 SX SE Fastback

120,000 miles

I am in very hot Miami, Florida.

Well I changed the simple stuff like distributor cap, rotor, sparkplugs, and cables.Problem: I bought this 240sx from a friend who had it sitting out for almost 1.5 years.All I did was put a new battery in and she started. Well It didn't start anymore onceI got it home. So I changed the aforementioned parts and it started again. Twice, but then just no more, then I noticed that the spark plugs are charred from gasoline. I know it's not oil itis definitely gasoline. So I can get the car started if I change the spark plugs touncharred dry spark plugs. My spark plugs come out of the car charred, wet of gasoline. The engine does turn over. I also have placed the spark plugs on ground to see if they spark and they throw off a spark.

I tried following the fsm but I get to egr valve problem on the troubleshooting butso far from what I have read the egr is exhaust gases to the intake manifold. (How do I even check this thing the fsm doesn't show me removal steps)Mind you I am completely green to cars.

Any more information needed like photos or more car info please ask.I am in no way trying to justify a speedy answer request but I am in dire need of getting this cargoing before I lose my job. Thank you for access to this forum, very much.

edit: I found this page but heck all those instruction set are chinese to me. dang.zerothread?id=36381

Modified by manasol at 1:12 PM 8/23/2005
Modified by manasol at 1:12 PM 8/23/2005

[SlidnSideways]

I am no way a mechanical guru like some of the people on here but if all four of your plugs are soaked in gas i think that means ur running rich. Why it would stop with the insertion of new spark plugs is kinda confusing to me though because if you were rich enough to where you would flood out your plugs then replacing them with new ones doesnt seem like it should help.

Couldnt your friend give you any info on it? Was there a reason why it was sitting for that long? I know this wasnt any help to you but im trying to think through this as well. Sorry...

--Tim--

[manasol]

Thank you for the prompt reply.

Well she bought herself a new volkswagen pasat. So she didn't need the sx anymore."Why it would stop with the insertion of new spark plugs is kinda confusing to me"

Well with new (or just really clean plugs) spark plugs the car starts. I was told I was running rich by the guy of autozone.What are some things to check if I am running rich?
Modified by manasol at 9:20 PM 8/23/2005

[SlidnSideways]

Ok well check your MAF, Coolant temp sensor, and O2 sensor. MAF is located near your airbox, Coolant temp sensor is on your intake manifold its a little plug with 2 wires comming from it, and O2 sensor is connected to your exhaust manifold. Use the search button in the upper right hand corner for way to test these.

I believe all of these have to do somewhat with fuel delivery therfore having one that is malfuntioning or just not working at all could be what the problem is. Timing i think effects running rich and lean but i dont think thats ur problem here.

Use search, test all of those sensors and see if they are within spec. Post back with findings.

--Tim--

[ricebike]

how about checking the ecu of trouble codes...

maybe a bad coolant temp sensor, making the ecu think it's too cold & thus firing off more fuel...

yank out the pc from the passenger foot panel & post back to see if there's any codes stored.

(edit...well Tim, i got a slower pc made in 97 & on dial-up--- but I'd check trouble codes 1st to narrow which circuits/sensors to diagnose)
Modified by ricebike at 12:32 AM 8/24/2005

[manasol]

It's 12:29 p.m. here I am bored so I'll get to reading the fsm on the codes then on to your advice S. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.

[SlidnSideways]

...lol.... Yea that hadnt even crossed my mind. Manasol, take ricebikes advice, check the ecu for bad sensors. There have been a ton of posts on how to do the ecu diagnostics. Search for this and it will actually give u a code if you are having problems with any sensor.

Please forgive me for my absent mind... ... I forgot all about that even though i used it last week to trace my bad coolant temp sensor...

--Tim--

[I Need $$$]

The EGR ports are on the top of the lower part of the intake manifold. This sounds confusing but when your looking at it it should make sense. The plugs are round and require a large hex bit to remove. I believe it is an 8mm hex bit but I could be wrong on the size.

I am having similar difficulties but need to test some more sensors.

NISTECH: What are the specifications for the voltages for these sensors:-coolant temp sensor -air flow meter idle -o2 sensors sweep voltages

Also what should the reaction time of the o2 sensors be?

[manasol]

So far in what I have tried the red light on testmode 1 turns off when I try to crank it, of course it doesn't turn on but the red led turns itself off.

EDIT: I have to wait and see if I can start the engine because my battery is now dead so. I am charging as I type but my charger seems not to be charging (Don't know it it is or the indicator is broken. Anyway I will take it to Autozone 6 hours from now if it doesn't charge up. Sorry for the delay guys.

Another day of work another 100 dollars gone . Ain't it life. lol
Modified by manasol at 11:50 PM 8/23/2005

[manasol]

Well I got the car started with dry spark plugs and checked the ecu. Now to see if the car can keep starting up.

Well the code I get for mode I is nothing the light just stays on. But for test mode 2 with engine off I get a code: 34I believe because it blinks 3 times and I am not sure to count the 4th blink as the end of the tens or the beginning of the singles. Meaning its 43. Which I highly doubt. I strongly think its 34.Knock sensor circuit or throttle position sensor circuit. Test mode 2 with engine on I get nothing. (so does this mean I am running too rich)?

Also if it helps I am leaking oil and have white smoke (?I am searching for white smoke in forums but it might just be the flodded gas?) which doesn't smell like egg but I dont know if its oil or gas? I am too inexperienced to diffirentiate.

PS: Thank you so much guys because I know I am no where near a real mechanic but I feel good doing work by myself on my own car. Even though I am not working lol.

[SlidnSideways]

Hrmmmm.... Again take my word for what you will as i dont know alot about cars either but white smoke i think if i remember correctly is coolant burning....i think...

Check your coolant see how thats doing. Sounds like it could be a blown head gasket causing coolant to leak into the cylinders. Might also be a intake manifold gasket too though... I just plain out forgot to put one of those on when i was putting my head back on my 240 and i was spitting white smoke too... Come to find out 240s dont really like it when you send coolant streaming through their intake manifold!

--Tim--

(Edit: Sorry...btw 34 IS Knock Sensor but u said u wernt sure that was the signal it was giving? You can read codes straight from the back of the ecu just turn the screw on the back of it all the way to the left and it will start to blink. Wait for it to blink 3 times in a row then turn it all the way to the right. It should then give you a code Red blink is 10s green blink is 1's so 34 should be 3 red 4 green.)

[manasol]

I dont have a green led on my ecu. Thanks for the reply. Ill buy the gaskets since to check them I have to open it anyway.I am pretty sure it is 34. SHould I solder a green led on the right of the red led?

PS:I just saw the price of the KNock sensor, Oh my I hope it is no that. So far I have made only one days of work this week. ouch
Modified by manasol at 8:39 PM 8/24/2005

[SlidnSideways]

U sure u dont dude? I thought 89s and 92s had the same type of ecu... May be wrong i guess.

Anyway i guess u have some work ahead of u. I just did some small searching about code 34 and knock sensors and found that sometimes it could just be a broken harness which would be cheaper to replace than the actual sensor. Make sure you look at it to make sure before you go ordering parts all willy nilly...

and about the missing all but 1 day of work this week....im 19 with only a weekend job to keep my weeks straight for school. I only have to get to work 2 days a week and half the time that doesnt happen... No wonder i have no money to fix my car troubles...

--Tim--

[manasol]

EDIT: I got it to start!!, without even having to give it gas!

Well it's too early to count my chickens. The car is leaking oil like a beast. I checked on the left side of the engine where the knock sensor harness is and the whole side is covered in oil and dirt. So I saw that the connector going back a bit connects to another harness where there is a ground that has to be on a screw I think ( not to sure but it has that loop where it should be held down by a bolt for ground) I cleaned that bolt of oil and dit and the car started.

It's too early to say problem solved because I am leaking oil everywhere and had white smoke a while ago.Now I get 55 on my ecu which is no errors.

I would also like to thak you guys so much because not only did you guys offer great advice and help you inspired me to get in there and do it myself.I know it sounds cheesy butI really appreciate it. I think I'll replace the seals myself(unless you guys think I shouldn't LOL)


Modified by manasol at 6:16 AM 8/25/2005

[SlidnSideways]

Good deal bro im happy things are starting to work out!

--Tim--