So at any rpm range, but only under ''heavier load'' (from medium throttle to floored) there is every now and then a ''hiccup''.

It literally feels like the engine pauses. then keeps going. When floored there is a (butt dyno) loss of power not just from the hiccup but it seems to lag for a few seconds before picking back up.

no codes
no smoke
no oil out the back
car keeps running
only hiccups like 1x.. as in it hits a cylinder and either fails to fire or or 'dies' for the duration of that cylinder. then the comp retards it to hell a for about 1000ms...

The hicup itself is about 500ms

this occurs maybe 1 time per week fyi.. not every day and not in the same conditions. the only condition that is common is throttle load. If i have my daughter with me i drive all nice and normal and the issue does not occur. if i am driving harder than average (3/4 throttle or floored) that's the range of occurrence.

now add to that the following: low end ping. when it is warmer out, it seems to ping 4-5 times on one cylinder from about 1500-2500 rpm under heavy load or moderate load. more so when on a incline. I am getting the plugs and COPs replaced by nissan very soon (hitting 100k) to add, it does sound like only 1 cylinder pings.. not a pile of pings but a rhythmic 250ms ping pause ping ...

my question is this .. should i go after more to ''shogun'' this issue ?

I am replacing the pvc valve myself so there is that. possibly dirty/hot plug from bad pvc resolved?
new plugs and COP to resolve any 'previous owner' issues and get a clean slate on sparking and delivery of spark.

cam sensors and or crank sensor ?? no codes but this could also be cam sensors ... do I bite the bullet and have then do them?

I am wondering if i should do the fuel filter, and if i should ask them (the shop) to do a throttle body \ intake plenum cleaning (is there such a thing !?)

thoughts ??

 

It was a lot to read, did you clean the TB?

 

Nope. Read to many horror stories.. I will have the dealership open it up when the plugs and packs are done and have them sms me a pic of the TB ..

 

I don't think the dealership will clean the TB. I read a thread awhile back where they were saying they'll replace it, but don't want the liability that comes with cleaning it.

That being said, you're heavy load hiccup is most likely a lack of spark for the amount of gas. I had this in an old truck when a leaking head gasket would cause calcium to build up between the conductor and electrode which closed the gap which gave me less spark and wasn't sufficient enough to burn the amount of fuel I was feeding it under heavy load. Basically your spark plugs are probably dead, but may also want to look at your coil packs. If those aren't providing enough spark, that can also cause this. Go with the plugs first tho.

 

plugs it is then .. thanks for the input! Will do them Thursday ...

 

Read to many horror stories? What do you mean?

 

Why replace the COP's?

I'd start at the spark plugs and leave it at that.

 

That's getting done right now in fact.. got violently ill so did not do them Thursday.

hopefully that plus a ne pcv valve will keep the plugs from acting up...

 

Update#1

Plugs, oil, air filter done. But it did not idle right. Sitting for 1 minute the idle would ''shudder'' and drop 100 rpm for 15 seconds then return to normal.

Walked back in and had the lot manager summoned and showed him who took the car back in.

10 minutes later they advised they applied a ecu update..... o.0

Since then for the last 4 days we have not had a hiccup as i can tell. but I am not calling it cured yet until another week goes by.

The plug change also fixed my low-load / low-rm ping that would occur from 1500-2000 rpm.

To be continued. I should have a chance to drive a little more roughly to determine if the hiccup is truly gone

 

update #3 drove it HARD for about a hour, so far no hiccup.

but, long term will tell.

 

Still no hiccup with more abusive driving (sport mode 2nd and 3rd gear)... im getting closer to calling it fixed by ecu update.

 

Went drag racing this weekend on a open call friday night.. Not one hiccup. so either the ecu flash or the plugs solved it

/closed/