My 91 Maxima GXE has developed an intermittent misfire within the last few months. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
The misfire seems to be linked to engine temperature. If the car is cold, it will start and drive fine. Once the car is warmed up, if you park the car and let it cool a bit - then the car will begin to misfire after it is started.
The misfire occurs at all engine speeds ? engine runs rough at idle and also if you rev the engine in neutral. Of course if you attempt to drive the car it will shudder. The misfire goes away within a minute or two ? then the car is fine.
The car has 175K miles and has run fine for the last 15 years. I replaced the wires with a new set of Nissan wires at 100K - and they look fine. Last week I replaced the plugs, cap, rotor, fuel filter, PCV valve, air filter - car still has intermittent misfire. The plugs had 30K miles on them - and they looked totally normal.
I inspected the coil - and it is not leaking - seems OK. I inspected the vacuum hoses and I don't see any cracks (although I know this is tough to see). Perhaps someone has seen this kind of temperature related misfire before.
Perhaps someone has a suggestion as to order in which I should replace some of the older parts ?
EGR valve ? plug wires ? coil ? vacuum hoses ?
I just don't understand why the misfire only occurs with a warm (not hot) engine.
Thanks DSG