Nissan CA18 troubleshooting

[anthonemorris]

OK so I have a bluebird with a ca18 (I) engine (single injector). So here's what has been done so far:
1 changed fuel pump (new)
2 new in tank and engine bay fuel filters
3 used bars to clean up passage.

Problem is that when I press on gas pedal I get a serious hesitation followed by a backfire in the throttle body. Took down the throttle body to clean it up today but no luck. Will try scrapping it down tomorrow God willing. If anyone has had, is having or knows a solution to this problem the help would be appreciated

 

[nirtime]

Re: CA18 woes

Does a ca18 have an MAF sensor?

 

[anthonemorris]

Has a sensor below the throttle plate that is very dirty. Wasn't able to clean it up as I had no maf cleaner. That would be next on the agenda come daylight. Also going to try to scrap the assembly.

 

[anthonemorris]

So in keeping up with the continued trouble I have an update. Had ordered a new distributor cap for my car as it has a simple broken lead to the coil pack as far as I could have seen. Turns out it was "ghetto rebuilt". What do I mean by that? I mean that screws were used to replace leads in the cap, as well as the pins inside being fried. Also the spark plugs were incorrectly aligned. So I'm hoping that at least my car will start behaving now. Spent quite a bit of time and money this past weekend.

 

[anthonemorris]

This is the inside of the cap I got with the car. Totally shot. Will get pics of the ratch. Trinidad people again. We innovative but it puts people in trouble

 

[nirtime]

Re: Nissan CA18 woes

This is the inside of the cap I got with the car. Totally shot. Will get pics of the ratch. Trinidad people again. We innovative but it puts people in trouble

No just no.... The screws clearly did not work. There's a reason why the OEM uses certain methods, not sure why anyone would want to use screws for conductivity.

 

[anthonemorris]

So after install the car starts and idles. Runs now but the hesitation continues as well as the backfiring but not as badly as before. I can actually drive the car and reach speeds of 80k. Will move to plugs next them I'm going to change the timing belt and have the car timed properly. In time I will have to replace both coils in the car. Hoping I find the original or at least something that has the same ratings as those.

 

[nirtime]

Re: Nissan CA18 woes

Sounds like you're fixing all the bad work that was done to the car. Its a shame when people do these things and then sell a car. Its better if they just sell it not running than use screws in place of contacts...

 

[anthonemorris]

Agreed. But I think that my skills are being put to the test as I want to be my own mechanic. As far as I can see this car had loads of ratch work done to it. So as I put things in proper order the faults show. Sorry that I'm the one to find out how much issues this car has but I've made up my mind to keep it regardless. Honestly when the time comes to sell the effort and time spent I won't be able to be compensated for but at least it would be a car worth having.

 

[admin]

Nissan CA18 woes

I'm getting a similar problem like what you are experiencing, same hesitations when applying x. Some time ago car was working great and as soon as I filled up gas the car started to work like crap again. Serviced a lot of things as well and I don't know what could be the problem. BTW it's a 2008 mazda3

 

[anthonemorris]

Same happened to me. Filled up and it started happening. Think I may need to get my gas tank serviced (opened, cleaned up re coated and sealed). Costs about 1k to do. After that I think only unipet for me. Too much sediment in some np stations.

 

[nirtime]

Nissan CA18 woes

Im suffering with the same problem.

 

[anthonemorris]

Was speaking with a mechanic tonight. As far as we could have come up with. Seeing that the car idles properly, can race up the rpm at standstill, can hold rpm at standstill without stutter or backfire but only hesitate on acceleration means it could only be mechanical or electrical. As far as mechanical I had already changed the pump and have no restrictions on fuel flow. Electrical work work done was the distributor cap and new plug leads. Need to get the original specifications for spark plugs (ngk BKR5EIX-11) as well as a new distributor rotor and coil packs to be sure my ignition system is flawless. Otherwise I would look to my gearbox and after that will check for caliper binding as well as worn bearings. Would check the fuel regulator as well. Must find the root cause of this issue

 

[nirtime]

Re: Nissan CA18 woes

In my case it only happens when I full the tank most of the time. There are times when I will full the tank and it will work as usual. But when it does happen the vehicle rough idles and suffers with low RPM hesitation. Then when I get fed up I will just let it enter the VVT-i rev range and it works as it should. Very strange problem, only thing I can come up with is the fuel quality as it only happens when filling the tank sometimes. Its not a 24/7 problem at all.

 

[anthonemorris]

OK so I had a mechanic run through the car (finally) and we found that in advancing the timing on the distributor way above normal range that the car had enough power to sprint but it died soon after. So my timing is way off and I'm going to have to change the timing belt and get it properly timed before I can truly enjoy my car. Shouldn't have any further issues after this as far as I can see. Will update again weekend.

 

[nirtime]

Nissan CA18 woes

that's good progress! Hopefully you won't need to do anything else for a while.

 

[anthonemorris]

Well honestly I can't say that. This past week I started hearing some noise around both front spindles so I'm guessing bearings, calipers, rotors. Want to change the brake lines as well even though they aren't leaking. Need to check the rear drums as well, as today I started hearing a noise like things getting a bit loose. Apparently this car calling for parts all at once. No worries. When I'm done my car will run like a bandit

 

[anthonemorris]

So now I'm getting frustrated. So the timing on the car is spot on. Belt is worn yes but isn't the cause of my issues now and will be changed out before the car leaves. What I'm being told is that there's a short in my ignition system which is causing my car not to start. So I guess the next point is the distributor seeing that I just changed the cap. If it's the rotor I'm kinda screwed as I haven't found a replacement yet

 

[nirtime]

Re: Nissan CA18 woes

Doesn't sound like a nice problem to have. Hope it's not the rotor.

 

[anthonemorris]

Re: Nissan CA18 woes

for the life of me i cant figure out what could be the issue behind it all.