ran the car on fumes, having stalling problems - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

MrSpArkle · 08-29-2003, 02:18 PM

Hi guys, I need some help.

A few days ago I absent mindedly got on the highway with less than a quarter of a tank of gas, I figured I'd be cutting it close, but I'd be ok. After i got off the highway i noticed my car was sputtering a bit, so I filled up on gas, but it still sputtered, the idle fluctuated, and low end acceleration was horrible, and top was so-so. The problem has persisted, despite a fuel filter change and a bottle of techron(which helped a little bit, but it may have been placebo). The pattern is as follows:

Car runs semi ****ty in morning (rpms dropping below 500)
Car improves during middle of day (still not as powerful)
Car degrades at night (car starts to stall)

It's not a strict pattern but it's as close as i can describe the car's behaviour from day to day. My best guess is that I either ****ed up my fuel pump, or clogged up something because of my low gas level. I have tried the following:

Fuel Filter Change
Techron
Ensured all spark plugs are working
Checked vacuum lines
Listened for weak injector (none sounded any weaker than usual)

And have performed the following service within the last 2 months:

Air filter cleaning
Plugs+wires
Oil change
Timing chain guide removal

I'm about to go and get some fuel injector service done, today I shoved another bottle of techron(have yet to run the car hard), after that it's off to the mechanic, unless you guys can come to my rescue.

91 240sx fastback
k&n filter, custom headers+exhaust, and alot of dreams.

Bill Roberts · 08-29-2003, 04:31 PM

Trash in the tank got sucked up by the screen is my first guess.

The Italian tune-up may work with all that techron in there. Slowly rev up to 5500 in second and leave it there for about 30 seconds then floor it to redline...repeat.

If that does not blow it out..nothing will short of opening the system and cleaning it out.

nismofeind · 08-29-2003, 10:44 PM

You may have burned out your fuel pump because the fuel lubricates the pump. but that usually happens after many times.

MrSpArkle · 09-02-2003, 09:41 AM

After a fuel filter change and a 2nd bottle of techron, my problem went away. Victory.

jenne313 · 09-02-2003, 10:50 AM

Congrats, man.

Not to rain on your parade, but I have always heard that fuel cleaner is very very bad for KA24DE's and most nissan engines. If anyone else has heard this, please contribute. I will call my mechanic and ask him to tell me why. To be continued...

But in the meantime - congrats.

MrSpArkle · 10-17-2003, 10:29 AM

The problem has returned. I'm tring the Techron OD again.
There seems to be a correlation between my car going being raised up on a hydraulic lift, and the problem returning.
But it may just be coincidence. The problem returned stronger. I'll post the results of my techron antics.

kandyflip445 · 10-17-2003, 12:01 PM

Why would fuel system cleaner be bad for a Nissan engine and not for another companies engines? Probably someone that's yankin yur chain.

You should go to http://www.myoilshop.com/ and get a bottle of their fuel system cleaner. I hear it's good. Or you could go to any dealership and ask them to clean your fuel system, but that would cost too much IMO.

MrSpArkle · 10-18-2003, 10:39 AM

Looking over the cabling and the grounds on the engine, i started jiggling different connections to see if my idle (and general jumpiness of the engine when doing anything) would improve. I came across the temp sensor that reports to the dash. Bingo... Much improvement, I need to replace that part, seems a little worn. Guess all that techron was for nothing. I knew i shouldn't have ignored my dash temp gauge jiggling at random. I'll see if the problem clears up after I replace it, and i will follow up. This may be faq worthy.

MrSpArkle · 10-18-2003, 11:03 PM

I've replaced the temperature switch and have noticed much improvement, my idle even stopped dropping so low, so maybe now i can put it back to 700 instead of 1k. Replacing was easy, just make sure you have a 12mm and 13mm deep socket handy.
(original was 12 mm, replacement was 13, go figure.)

MrSpArkle · 10-20-2003, 04:55 PM

Don't forget to bleed your coolant system after replacing the temperature switch....
when i get enough energy i'll writeup a faq, might be useful to someone.

08-29-2003, 02:18 PM	#1
MrSpArkle Leaky Injector Join Date: May 2002 Location: miami Age: 44 Posts: 78 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	ran the car on fumes, having stalling problems Hi guys, I need some help. A few days ago I absent mindedly got on the highway with less than a quarter of a tank of gas, I figured I'd be cutting it close, but I'd be ok. After i got off the highway i noticed my car was sputtering a bit, so I filled up on gas, but it still sputtered, the idle fluctuated, and low end acceleration was horrible, and top was so-so. The problem has persisted, despite a fuel filter change and a bottle of techron(which helped a little bit, but it may have been placebo). The pattern is as follows: Car runs semi **ty in morning (rpms dropping below 500) Car improves during middle of day (still not as powerful) Car degrades at night (car starts to stall) It's not a strict pattern but it's as close as i can describe the car's behaviour from day to day. My best guess is that I either **ed up my fuel pump, or clogged up something because of my low gas level. I have tried the following: Fuel Filter Change Techron Ensured all spark plugs are working Checked vacuum lines Listened for weak injector (none sounded any weaker than usual) And have performed the following service within the last 2 months: Air filter cleaning Plugs+wires Oil change Timing chain guide removal I'm about to go and get some fuel injector service done, today I shoved another bottle of techron(have yet to run the car hard), after that it's off to the mechanic, unless you guys can come to my rescue. 91 240sx fastback k&n filter, custom headers+exhaust, and alot of dreams.

09-02-2003, 09:41 AM	#4
MrSpArkle Leaky Injector Join Date: May 2002 Location: miami Age: 44 Posts: 78 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	followup After a fuel filter change and a 2nd bottle of techron, my problem went away. Victory.

10-17-2003, 10:29 AM	#6
MrSpArkle Leaky Injector Join Date: May 2002 Location: miami Age: 44 Posts: 78 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	... The problem has returned. I'm tring the Techron OD again. There seems to be a correlation between my car going being raised up on a hydraulic lift, and the problem returning. But it may just be coincidence. The problem returned stronger. I'll post the results of my techron antics.

10-17-2003, 12:01 PM	#7
kandyflip445 Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Arden, NC Age: 40 Posts: 4,460 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: kandyflip445 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Why would fuel system cleaner be bad for a Nissan engine and not for another companies engines? Probably someone that's yankin yur chain. You should go to http://www.myoilshop.com/ and get a bottle of their fuel system cleaner. I hear it's good. Or you could go to any dealership and ask them to clean your fuel system, but that would cost too much IMO. __________________ My 240 vBgarage

10-18-2003, 10:39 AM	#8
MrSpArkle Leaky Injector Join Date: May 2002 Location: miami Age: 44 Posts: 78 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	... Looking over the cabling and the grounds on the engine, i started jiggling different connections to see if my idle (and general jumpiness of the engine when doing anything) would improve. I came across the temp sensor that reports to the dash. Bingo... Much improvement, I need to replace that part, seems a little worn. Guess all that techron was for nothing. I knew i shouldn't have ignored my dash temp gauge jiggling at random. I'll see if the problem clears up after I replace it, and i will follow up. This may be faq worthy.

08-29-2003, 04:31 PM	#2
Bill Roberts Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: May 2003 Location: S FL. Posts: 1,538 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Trash in the tank got sucked up by the screen is my first guess. The Italian tune-up may work with all that techron in there. Slowly rev up to 5500 in second and leave it there for about 30 seconds then floor it to redline...repeat. If that does not blow it out..nothing will short of opening the system and cleaning it out.

08-29-2003, 10:44 PM	#3
nismofeind Leaky Injector Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 142 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You may have burned out your fuel pump because the fuel lubricates the pump. but that usually happens after many times.

09-02-2003, 10:50 AM	#5
jenne313 Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Age: 43 Posts: 123 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Congrats, man. Not to rain on your parade, but I have always heard that fuel cleaner is very very bad for KA24DE's and most nissan engines. If anyone else has heard this, please contribute. I will call my mechanic and ask him to tell me why. To be continued... But in the meantime - congrats.

10-18-2003, 11:03 PM	#9
MrSpArkle Leaky Injector Join Date: May 2002 Location: miami Age: 44 Posts: 78 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	... I've replaced the temperature switch and have noticed much improvement, my idle even stopped dropping so low, so maybe now i can put it back to 700 instead of 1k. Replacing was easy, just make sure you have a 12mm and 13mm deep socket handy. (original was 12 mm, replacement was 13, go figure.)

10-20-2003, 04:55 PM	#10
MrSpArkle Leaky Injector Join Date: May 2002 Location: miami Age: 44 Posts: 78 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	... Don't forget to bleed your coolant system after replacing the temperature switch.... when i get enough energy i'll writeup a faq, might be useful to someone.