93 Pathfinder Sluggish engine, low idle, loss of power

[magicshep]

Hey

Running into a wall on this. my 93 pathfinder has 189k miles. I got the thing about 2 months ago, and it ran fine until Sunday night - it started running bad as hell.. i thought it was stalling out but it dosent, and idles between 300-500rpm (fluctuates). There is also black smoke from the exhaust.

Now I already went ahead and replaced the PCV, and I cleaned the MAF sensor, but, it hasn't fixed the problem.

I'm thinking its the timing/plugs/wires, but was wondering if there might be another place i should start looking before that?

Recommendations anyone?

[sergey85]

it probably needs a good tune up.

[tech22]

Before you go and mess with the timing pull any codes that may be stored . I would not be surprised to find a bad distributor.

[magicshep]

Originally Posted by tech22

Before you go and mess with the timing pull any codes that may be stored . I would not be surprised to find a bad distributor.

where do you do that?

[vpnavy]

Originally Posted by magicshep

where do you do that?

Take your ride up to you local Auto Center (i.e., Autozone, etc.) and have them read the codes. AutoZone does it for free.

[sergey85]

didnt obd become standard in 96? here is a link to codes and diognostic if i dont have obd port Engine Codes Problems Nissan Pathfinder

[chambersc]

Had a very similar sounding problem with my 1994 model just two days after bringing it home recently. Mine turned out to be a sticking EGR valve. Pulled it off, cleaned it with carbureotr cleaner (Don't spray in the vacuum hose connection, it will ruin the diaphragm!), re-installed it and it was healed. Mine was wanting to idle around 300 or not at all, chugging around, running like crap, etc.

[magicshep]

UPDATE

Well, I took the pathy to an autozone and an advance auto parts and they say its too old to plug in/dosent have the connection.

I did go ahead and check the EGR though, and was thinking that was it. it moved, but was very hard to. I cleaned it out and now it moves fine, but still the same prob.

Earlier today I took it for a ride and did about 55 for 5 minutes, and when i turned around it staled out when i stopped. still started again but i had to keep some gas on it to keep it running.

Noticed a little smoke coming from somewhere under the intake manifold? What the?

[tech22]

To pull the codes you have to use a adapter harness to make the connection.

[momud]

on 93 you can just used the built in screw in the ecu to read it the flashing lamps. no need to go to autozone or the like.. just slide the passenger seat all the way forward and then turn the screw etc.. i think there is a link above to the procedure.. on pathfinders obd2 came in with '96 model..