Piston Slap: Ain't Got No Problem With Coke!

Sajeev Mehta
by Sajeev Mehta

Brian writes:

Hi Sajeev,

I have a 1999 Nissan Frontier. 207k miles, 2.4L four cylinder. I have a Service Engine light which comes on AFTER driving for 30 minutes, parking it and letting it sit for 30 minutes. When I come back and start the truck I get the vibration and Service Engine light. The code is a P0303, i.e. cylinder #3 misfire.

I replace the plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor. Made no difference, still have the same problem.This repeats just exactly the same each day. Occasionally the cylinder will start functioning again as I drive and vibration will go away but the light stays on. Had the injectors flushed, no difference. Nissan seems to think it’s carbon in the intake (EGR Port).

I doubt that, but maybe the injector or the wire harness? Seem to have the problem after the engine gets warmed up and then parked for 15 to 30 minutes. Because it doesn’t do it when the engine is started cold at the first start of the day.

I haven’t tried it yet but I’ll bet at the first start of the day I could drive it indefinitely and it wouldn’t have a problem as long as I did not shut it off and let it sit, and then restart it.

Sajeev answers:

Why do you doubt what the Nissan mechanic said? Oh yeah, the completely valid, long-standing mistrust between vehicle owners and the people who work on them.

Which is fair…but after all your previous (and good) repairs…you can’t casually dismiss an EGR problem like that! It is, more than likely, the heart of your problem, even though it is hard to tell at this mileage. You probably have multiple problems and everything you’ve done so far is money well spent in my book. Sadly, obviously, the next wear item, the EGR system needs attention.

EGR systems can do some bizarre shit to your ride. Put another way, this guy on this Honda Prelude forum said, “you’d be surprised wat codes your ecu will throw all because of egr problems.” Tru dat.

It’s time to clean or replace the EGR valve. And clean the (intake manifold) ports that feed the EGR its precious exhaust gases. At this mileage you could have severely coked up/blocked up EGR ports, and the valve could be well past it. My advice is the same as the Nissan Tech, clean the valve and the ports (carb cleaner and a toothbrush, a wire brush or a screwdriver for the real bad stuff, WEAR GLOVES) and if the problem continues, replace the EGR valve.

Best of luck!

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry…but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.

Sajeev Mehta
Sajeev Mehta

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  • Jz78817 Jz78817 on Jul 06, 2013

    wow, I'm impressed. the "miracle additive" shills showed up in the first comment.

    • Sajeev Mehta Sajeev Mehta on Jul 07, 2013

      While I do like Seafoam, in this case I really believe a manual cleaning and possible EGR valve replacement is worth it. Why spend $7 on that can when you've done over 200,000 miles of hot coking action...that money is better spent on couple cans of carb cleaner.

  • 95_SC 95_SC on Jul 08, 2013

    I had a similar issue that was caused by the EGR system, but wasnt actually the EGR. Not sure on the 2.4 but on my Toyota inline the EGR cooked a portion of the wiring harness which caused a similar issue to that which you describe.

  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
  • Carson D The UAW has succeeded in organizing a US VW plant before. There's a reason they don't teach history in the schools any longer. People wouldn't make the same mistakes.
  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
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