'95 240SX SE - Backfiring / stalling / surging / intermittent

[ned4spd8874]

So I finally get the mystery squeal fixed today, it was the power steering pump; drove it about 30 miles no problem. The car sat for a few hours. Drove it for about 15 minutes. Came out of the store to drive it home and it started to major bog down. There was backfiring, stalling, popping, etc. Kinda like a cylinder wasn't firing, or fuel wasn't getting to the engine consistantly. But then, it would clear up for a few mintues...and then start all over again.

Could I have done something when I replaced my PS pump? I will start looking into it in the morning, but would love a place to start.

It has sat for about 7 months (winter and that nasty squeal). Could that have caused anything.

These are the things I have replaced in the last few months to the car:BatteryAlternatorIdler PullyBeltsPower Steering Pump

I was thinking of starting with plugs, wires, cap and rotor, and fuel filter...any other suggestions???

[teddy]

The power steering pump would have nothing to do with your current problems. The power steering system is completely separate from the engine except for the belt that powers the pump.

Since the car has been sitting for a while, I'm going to assume that you've got old gas in there, and probably didn't put stabilizer in it 7 months ago. Having some fresh gas should help clear the engine up some.

It also sounds like you've got a vacuum leak somewhere, which would cause the surging idle. Backfiring is also caused by rich fuel conditions, and this could explain the bogging. You may have an injector stuck open.

I would go ahead and do the plugs, wires, rotor, etc just because it's good maintenance and should be done anyway, and add fresh gas and see if that helps clear things up. Then search for any leaks in the vacuum hoses, or brake booster line. After that, if the problems are still persisting, you'll have to start checking the injectors.

[ned4spd8874]

Okay, so I've replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor and fuel filter. Started it up and let it idle for a while and it was fine. Started to drive it down the road and almost immediately, it was back.

I couldn't find any vacuum leaks. The tank is basically full...do I just bring it to a shop and they will be able to drain the tank? Can I just let the car run in idle to run the gas out? Or would that cause more issues?

[futureSRswapper]

yes it will cause more issues if the gas is terribly old or dirty. tow it to the shop and clean your tank if you suspect dirt or other contaminants are in it. but if it's just OLD gas, then you can use a fuel stabilizer additive and fill up your tank with premium after you put that in. drive it normally for a while and if the problem persists, check your plug wires and plugs.

[ned4spd8874]

I put some stabil in the car the other day. Drove it for about a half hour yesturday with no issues. Started it up today and within 5 minutes of idling, it started sputtering. Looks like it's time to take it to a shop....I'm out of ideas and I just want the damn thing fixed.

[TravisD]

Many of the vaccuum lines are under the intake mani and tucked way down in behind the engine. The emission control system is pretty complicated. It's like 200 pages of the FSM.