QuestionQUESTION: Calvin,
I have a 2000 Maxima with 132000 miles. I recently had an oil change done (Used High Mileage oil) and after the 2nd day I noticed my car would sputter while on drive.
It doesn't sputter as much while on park or when I have my foot on the brake. My check engine light turned on but when I went to have it checked (autozone) it indicated codes P0138 and P0139 (Oxygen Sensors).
Do the oxygen sensor have anything to do with this problem?
I've known about my sensors being bad for past year and the engine light has been turning on/off every so often. I've been using the Lucas fuel treatment at least twice a month during fill up.
ANSWER: Hi Hector -
Couple questions for you -
1. When you say it sputters, I am assuming it is an engine miss. Does it do that under load, such as up hills or under acceleration? Or only at idle in drive?
2. When was the last tune up on your car? Spark plugs, cap/rotor, wires?
A word about the O2 sensors - If the engine is missing (spark plug not firing, wire grounding or open), the exhaust will read rich, signaling the sensor to turn on the engine light. I would do the basic first 9such as the tune up) and then reset the system and see if the light stays off.
Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: It's been over a week now and my car has been running smooth. Only 1 day it started to sputter once i turned it on and didn't drive it until the following day. I do plan on having a tuneup done soon but what did you mean when you mentioned cap/rotor?
I just want to get an idea so I know what to expect when i take it in to a shop.
AnswerHi Hector -
Glad to hear your car is running better. Replacing the Distributor Cap and rotor is what I meant. A lot of time there is carbon tracking and it causes the miss, or sputtering. Being that it is only intermittent, I don;t think this is the problem, however changing the 2 would not be a bad idea.
Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin
