Won't go over 4,000 RPM's?

[AGoodBuzz]

Last weekend I drove through a very large puddle in the road (unavoidable) and my engine compartment was deluged as I was pulling in to a gas station. I noticed that there was a LOT of steam coming out (I left the engine running to run in) and from inside the store it almost looked like smoke. I was in a hurry so ran out and jumped in the van and drove away and everything seemed fine. Later I drove the van and noticed a funny smell that has not gone away (I thought it was my Cat. Conv., but it doesn't smell like rotten eggs per se), and have since noticed that I'm having problems.

If I accelerate very gradually the van runs fine, but whether I am in gear OR IN NEUTRAL the engine will not go over 4,000 RPMs like there's a governor on it now or something, and when I'm in gear and driving it sounds like when it hits 4k RPM's it doesn't want to shift (takes a while), doesn't downshift properly, and starts to run like doo-doo. If I go REALLY easy on it I can drive around, but if I try to accelerate to get on the freeway or anything it ain't gonna' happen....... What's up?

I replaced my TPS and repaired broken wires on my rear O2 sensor and cleared my O2 sensor code and have no CEL, but it still runs bad.

[tempfixit]

I would check crankshaft, camshaft and pre cat (upstream) sensors and each wire connectors. Wonder if there is still moisture in the connectors causing incorrect info to the PCM. Lot of times a faulty am or crankshaft sensor will not throw a code.

Even tho you do not have a CEL on check for codes and post what they are if any.

[AGoodBuzz]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

I would check crankshaft, camshaft and pre cat (upstream) sensors and each wire connectors. Wonder if there is still moisture in the connectors causing incorrect info to the PCM. Lot of times a faulty am or crankshaft sensor will not throw a code.

Even tho you do not have a CEL on check for codes and post what they are if any.

Thanks! It's people like you that make these forums valuable.

I dropped her off at the Nissan dealer this morning. Too many things on my plate to stick with it any further, but I really believe that with the kind of help you were giving I would have found it. Whatever it is, you can be sure that once it's solved I will come back and post the history, troubleshooting steps, problem and solution so that I can give something back to the forum.

BTW, because of the 'smell' the dealer already thinks it's my catalytic converter, but I'll find out for sure in a couple hours.

Thanks again!

[drcoffee]

It sounds like the CAT is dead. When you went through the water it cooled the extremely hot material inside and it fractured. The broken bits have clogged the flow of ehaust and limited the engines ability to flow air in and out. Anything electrical would not be that finiky.

[13bproject240sx]

Yo guys am new person join this website. I just want to know how the hell can I open the thread for myself. ? Can anyone help me out how to get the thread?

[AGoodBuzz]

Originally Posted by drcoffee

It sounds like the CAT is dead. When you went through the water it cooled the extremely hot material inside and it fractured. The broken bits have clogged the flow of ehaust and limited the engines ability to flow air in and out. Anything electrical would not be that finiky.

They're telling me that they "believe" that it's my MAF. They say that the reading was a little off, and there appeared to be 'debris' in there. They want $695.00 (the auto parts store around the corner has the part for $150.00, and it's plug & chug). I asked them if they can confirm that it's NOT the cat, and they said that they'd have to tear in to the exhaust to find out and that costs more money than the $91.00 I'm already paying for them to look at it.

Dealer service departments aren't a panacea. I'm waiting for a ride back there to get my car and do something else.

[drcoffee]

Grab a screwdriver and buy a new MAF on the way to the dealer. Install it in the parking lot and see if that fixes it. If not leave the van for more work.

Good luck.

[tempfixit]

I would take out both upstream 02 sensors out of exhaust system and see if that makes a difference in performance. That should tell you if cat is blocked.

I would clean and test the MAF Sensor.

Have you read the PM I sent yesterday?

[AGoodBuzz]

Originally Posted by drcoffee

Grab a screwdriver and buy a new MAF on the way to the dealer. Install it in the parking lot and see if that fixes it. If not leave the van for more work.

Good luck.

Did that. No dice.

[AGoodBuzz]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

I would take out both upstream 02 sensors out of exhaust system and see if that makes a difference in performance. That should tell you if cat is blocked.

I would clean and test the MAF Sensor.

Have you read the PM I sent yesterday?

Ya, I read the PM. Thanks for that!

Tried a new ($200.00) MAF sensor. No change.

I tried to get my upstream O2 sensor out and it will not budge....

Sprayed a whole can of some gnarly break free stuff (supposed to be the best) and nothing doing. Stuck.

That particular cat is integral to the intake manifold and:

1. Hard to find.

2. Special order only.

3. Friggin' 'spensive!

Midas is going to call me back, but he thinks in the neighborhood of $800.00 to $1k!~

I have a junkyard looking for one for me, but with the aluminum heads I don't know if I even want to open that can of worms......

My wife is wondering if it's even worth it and if I should look at buying a new car. I don't want to give up. I love my Villager and I only have a year until payoff.

[tempfixit]

13bproject240sx to open a new thread click back to page with the different threads on the Villager forum (1 Page back) top left corner click on NEW THREAD.

[tempfixit]

I forgot about the converter being integral to the exhaust manifold, that bits the big one. If you do have to change the manifold and converter make sure you get the old one back from whomever you have do the work if you don't. You can sell the converter to a scrap metal place and get good money for them. I have read where places are paying up to $250.00 for cat converters.

Have you tried running the engine for a little to warm the exhaust? This may help getting the 02 sensors to break loose.

I have never seen the exhaust system on the 2002 so I am assuming that there is a converter on each bank of engine.

[AGoodBuzz]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

It was my catalytic converter. I replaced the MAF and no change, and couldn't find a cat anywhere (special order only), so I went to a speed shop and they "gutted" it for me, in other words they cut a hole in it and chiseled out the inner material that makes it what it is, thus reducing it to nothing more than a length of pipe. She runs great now! Not even a CEL from it, and it only cost $50.00 (amazing what a good air-chisel aenima will do). Now I can at least drive her around like normal until I decide whether or not I want to part with the bucks or just continue to march.

We were actually able to prove that it was a clogged cat by examining the material that was removed from the inside of it, and it is very hard to describe the material other than to say it is like thousands of small tubular honeycombs bunched together for exhaust to flow through, and the top end of the holes were clogged about 70% with some sort of red stuff (paint???).

Per tempfixits suggestion I am going to go to [email protected] and post there to let everyone know what my symptoms were, the troubleshooting steps I took, what I learned and how it got "fixed" so that if anyone has the same problem this might help them.

Thanks for your input. You guys ROCK!!!

[AGoodBuzz]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

I have never seen the exhaust system on the 2002 so I am assuming that there is a converter on each bank of engine.

Actually no, the rear bank manifold pipe comes around front and joins the upper cat with the front bank, through the cat, then as one pipe run to the lower/rear cat. Man, I couldn't imagine if they stuffed another cat back there..... O-o-o-o-o-o-ooooo doggies!

[tempfixit]

Great to hear you got it running. Thanks for the input on the converter set up and posting your fix.