94 Altima missing on one cylinder

[Gwmlb]

I have a 94 Nissan Altima with 85K on it. The car starts fine but seems to miss on one cylinder. I've replaced the spark plugs, rotor and Distributor cap and it seems to miss less, but still misses. I've taken a wire set from a different car to see if that was it and that didn't have any effect so, I didn't replace the wires but don't think that's it. Where else do I check? It seems to miss most when just starting from a dead stop or idling, but you can from time to time even feel it when driving 40 or 50. When it warms up, it does not appear to miss as often.
What do I check now?????????

[paparay]

Get a spark plug tester and check to see if each plug is getting fire(one at a time). Also see what color the spark is.

A leaky injector might be the problem (or its circuit). A marginal fuel pump might contribute as well as a partially clogged filter.

It needs be be found out if its fuel or ignition causing this. It could also be a burned or sticking valve.

Take it to Auto Zone and ask them to pull any codes from the computer and then clear them, so you can drive a little, check them again and see if it is posting any codes (I doubt it).

Altimas are famous for a leaky seal in distributor letting oil get on sensor but this doesn't sound like that problem.

[bias177]

Change the wires. Has same problem in my wifes car. turns out that the insulation on the wires, where they go into the engine to connect to the spark plugs deteriorates with the heat from the engine therefore allowing the wires to arc. When this happens you could sometimes completely cut off spark to one cylinder due to the current from the distributor being redirected due to to arcing wire. Also becareful to never get water in the plug wells, they cause the same effect, but you get a check engine light which will throw you completely off the main cause. Good luck.

[SteveZ]

Which cylinder? #1, as in leftmost facing the engine?
Did you have any trace of oil on the spark plug boot?
For some odd reason the inner seal (cam cover rubber rings) sometimes leaks on the end next to the timing chain, which will toast your wire boot and even let it slide off slightly.
Did you replace all wires as a set? I have also found length is critical and have gone back to NGK Wires from Bosch (overrated).
Check each cylinder as above - if it misses consistently on one cylinder the most common reason would be a bad wire (even a new one) or more rare, a bad plug (e.g. dropped and bent the electrode changing the gap - .44 I think is the right number, have to check a manual on that one.
Last, if the fuel issues already mentioned are not the issue you may want to check the camshaft position sensor - or it's connections. You won't likely see a code for this as it would have already tripped the trouble light on the dash.

[harlequin516]

I had the same problem with my #4 & #2 cylinder. I ended up replacing the #4 fuel injector, and treating the fuel lines with a Techron fuel additive. This fixed the #2 cyl, the #4 was I guess beyond simple solution.

The engine runs fine now, but for other minor issues. I suspect the #2 cyl is still a little clogged.
-SR

[sanders4_]

it wouldn't be the crank angle sensor/camshaft position sensor, the computer let you know if thats the problem, and secondly, if it was the crank angle sensor, wouldn't the computer kill the engine, my friends RB30DET had a crank angle sensor die, apparently they are famous for that happening, never heard of it being a prob for KA's, anyway, his car would turn over with the starter, but wouldn't kick over. until he got a new crank angle sensor.

so would it be fair to say its probably more of a spark issue, not the sensor???