QuestionQUESTION: My old standard transmission Maxima (212K miles) has started accelerating
roughly. It's worse when the engine is cold, but it still happens to a lesser
degree when fully warmed up. Hard acceleration bogs the engine down
momentarily, followed by a strong surge, as if it's starving for fuel or air, then
flooded. This cycle happens in rapid succession, resulting in a jerky, lurching
ride, particularly in first gear. The problem is reduced in higher gears. I've
changed fuel & air filters & am currently running a tank of premium with
injector cleaner, but have seen no improvement.
ANSWER: Mike,
You probably have oil on the optical pickup and shutter wheel inside the distributor. You will have to remove the cap, rotor, rotor post and cover to inspect the distributor. But, that is what it sounds like to me. A rebuilt distributor is the solution if oil is found.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: No luck there; the inside of the distributor was pristine. Could this symptom be
related to the EGR valve or a fuel pressure regulator?
AnswerMike,
If the EGR is sticking it could cause the surge problem and the fuel pressure could do it. To check for fuel system problems get a fuel pressure gauge and screw it to the test port and tape the gauge to the windshield and check the pressure when things go down. The EGR you can unplug and see if the problem goes away. If so, it is the EGR or the actuator.
