QuestionQUESTION: What is the purpose of the knock sensor and how do you determine bank1 from bank2 of the engine? Can a cracked exhaust manifold trigger the knock sensor?
ANSWER: Michael,
Bank 1 drivers side bank two passenger side. An ehaust leak will not trigger a knock sensor. Nissan had some problems with knock sensors with your year. I would replace and correct the exhaust leak. A leaky exhaust manifold, close to the engine will allow cold air to enter and possibly warp an exhaust valve. Also, the leak will mess up your mileage as that sides oxygen sensor will read lean causing the computer to fatten up the mixture on that side. And, if it gets too rich it will melt the converter. Cheaper to get it fixed...
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QUESTION: There is a problem with the rear suspension of my vehicle no matter what shock absorber I use (genuine or not) they don't last two weeks could something be wrong with the spring blades? What could be the problem with the clutch pedal why it gets tough? Is there a specific adjustment on the torsion bar to get the right ride on the front as I usually get?
ANSWER: Michael,
If the rear springs are weak they will kill a new set of shocks since the nitrogen that they are filled with is for keeping bubbles from forming in the oil that they are filled with. So, if the vehicle was ever overloaded or the vehicle has been used off road a lot it could mean that the springs need to be replaced. The torsion bars on the front could be experiencing the same thing. Now, I would first lubricate the suspension on the front of the vehicle before attempting to replace them. The torsion bars are under extreme tension and if you have never worked on that type of suspension I would leave it to a shop. You can really hurt yourself or get killed if you unload the front suspension torsion bar.
The clutch is probably needing to be replaced due to the years on it. Check the master cylinder for fluid and check for leaks at the slave under the vehicle. But, the hardnss of the clutch pedal feel is probably the throw out bearing sticking due to clutch dust on the input shaft assembly. You can bleed the clutch with Ford High Performance Brake Fluid (it is DOT3 so it will work with your system and not mess it up) DOT4 or synthetic will screw up the seals. The nice thing about Ford High Performnace Brake Fluid is it has a higher boiling point and gives you much better pedal feel.
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QUESTION: My check engine ligth comes on my instrument when connected read codes po159 and po158 o2 sensor bank2 sensor2 high volt slow response. Could the sensor contributes to the loosing power, and whats the major effect the sensor has on the vehicle. Thank you
AnswerMichael,
oxygen sensors are part of the fuel management system. They are for feedback from what the engine is doing upstream. If the ixygen sensors are coated or defective they provide incorrect information to the computer and power will drop off as will gas mileage. Also, this usually makes the engine run rich and that will eventually melt the converter.
