96 Altima hesitate during acceleration

Dear Altima pros:

I have a 1996 Nissan Altima GXE 5 speed with 160,000 Miles. The car was maintained very well. However recently, It happend to me several times, that when I just started the car and tried to accelerate, the car was hesitating. Feels like misfire. If I shift to neutral, and revolve the engine, the car will be working fine again. The problem seems not to be consistent, it only happens occasionally. And it never happens once the engine is warmed up.

There is no Check Engine Light on. The car idles well.

Anyone knows what might be the cause?

Thank you. :popcorn:

Dear Altima pros:

I have a 1996 Nissan Altima GXE 5 speed with 160,000 Miles. The car was maintained very well. However recently, It happend to me several times, that when I just started the car and tried to accelerate, the car was hesitating. Feels like misfire. If I shift to neutral, and revolve the engine, the car will be working fine again. The problem seems not to be consistent, it only happens occasionally. And it never happens once the engine is warmed up.

There is no Check Engine Light on. The car idles well.

Anyone knows what might be the cause?

Thank you. :popcorn:


If its not throwing the CEL, I would say to check your spark plugs and spark plug wires. Sounds more like a problem with an O2 sensor but that would surely throw a CEL.

Hi JoeShmoAltima,

Thank you for the reply. That makes a lot of sense. I will check the plugs and wires during the weekend, and let you know the result.



If its not throwing the CEL, I would say to check your spark plugs and spark plug wires. Sounds more like a problem with an O2 sensor but that would surely throw a CEL.

Rightous, let me know what happens.

Could just need a basic tune up... that does wonders for a car

HI Guys,

Thank you for all the replies. I think I found the problem: oil in the distributor.

I cleaned the distributor. Changed the distributor o-ring (gasket), distribugtor rotor and cap.

Now the car is working fine now. At least the problem did not show up again so far. :popcorn:

good. hope that fixed it

Double check spark plug galley, the valve cover spark plug galley seals could be leaking into the cylinder and drowning the spark causing misfire.

Double check spark plug galley, the valve cover spark plug galley seals could be leaking into the cylinder and drowning the spark causing misfire.

You mean the ones that come with the valve cover gasket?

yea, it comes with the valve cover gasket kit and is four o's attached by a 'string' of rubber. make sure they were put in the right way... (a cutaway section of one of the o's will show that it is U shaped.. make sure you didn't or don't put them in 'upside down'... if i'm not mistaken, those o's should be facing so that the valve cover is inserted into the valley of each o.

yea, it comes with the valve cover gasket kit and is four o's attached by a 'string' of rubber. make sure they were put in the right way... (a cutaway section of one of the o's will show that it is U shaped.. make sure you didn't or don't put them in 'upside down'... if i'm not mistaken, those o's should be facing so that the valve cover is inserted into the valley of each o.

You are correct, and another thing. Make sure if you are going to be replacing them that you don't drop the seals in accidentally, LOL.