Nissan Micra problems - kangarooing and losing power

Ruby6767

My Nissan Micra started having problems a few months ago. It's been into the garage a few times, and has been fully serviced, and the problem still persists. Basically it 'kangaroos' sometimes, and loses power for a few seconds, possibly as if not enough fuel is getting through. I have had the petrol pump replaced and the battery and belt for the alternator. Mr brother suggested putting in some 'Redex' as he thought it may be 'sticky valves' with it being unleaded fuel. This seemed to help a little, and I put some Redex in each tankfull now. The kangarooing and loss of power happen on a completely random basis, not in any specific circumstances. It can be fine for days, then have a few days of playing up. It does it more on long journeys. The problem sometimes seems to be associated with changing demand on the accelerator, eg it can play up after driving along smoothly for a while and then being stuck in a traffic queue, or after going round a sharp bend or over a humpy bridge it then can play up when setting off onto a smoother stretch of road. But as I said, this is all very random, it doesn't play up every time in those situations. Also sometimes the car stalls just after starting up in the morning (it starts fine) or can stall sometimes if waiting in traffic for a few minutes. Please help as my garage seem at a loss and I can't afford endless trips to the garage on the off-chance they can find what's wrong. Thank you!

anewman

What year is it? How much mileage? (etc)

Does it have a distributor (A thing with 5 leads on top going to the engine)? Has the fuel filter been replaced?

Sounds like a misfire to me but any number of things could be causing it. It's easiest to try rule out the simplest/cheapest first. I would start by removing the distributor cap (if present) and check inside it and the arm for signs of any kind of marks, burning, or irregularities inside it. Check the arm firmly stays in place and does not have too much play. Probably worth renewing all the leads, the distributor cap and rotor arm (make sure the new leads are in the same position as the old ones, do one at a time) to see if that helps.

Also consider if yours has a timing chain that this may be the cause of timing being out and getting the chain replaced may cure the problem. (This would also be evident with a noisy/rattly engine).

As for stalling while waiting, I would give the throttle body a good clean with carb cleaner.

I would also try find a Nissan forum on the net where there may be people with experience of these models who can tell you the most likely problem.

tomstickland

Redex generally does nothing IMO.
It could well be an electrical fault. It's worth unplugging the various ECU sensors and spraying WD40 onto the contacts and then replugging them.

Andy_Edinburgh

My money would be on a dodgy contact in the throttle body - see thread at http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=56361 If you're handy with a soldering iron (or know someone who is), this can be resoldered at very low cost (see link to guide). Reconditioned throttle bodies are available from ~£100, c.f. £500+ for a new one from a Nissan dealer.

Ruby6767

reply to anewman:
The Micra is a 1994 model, M-registration in the UK, approx 120,000 miles, 998cc engine.
Thanks for all your suggestions. A problem with the distributor cap being 'gunged up' has been suggested by someone else, so I can get that checked. I don't think it's the timing chain, as the engine is not noisy/rattling as you suggest it would be.

Ruby6767

hewhoisnotintheknow

my money is on a sensor, take them off clean with wd40 and cloth and replace

Also get the engine hot and try an italian tune up