Rough idle video with details

[Kris&HerX]

I've noticed recently that my Xterra has been getting a little harder to drive. The head gaskets have just been replaced along with the spark plugs. Now, while idling (usually sitting at a stop light) it sputters for a few seconds, then stops and drives fine the rest of the time. It's a 2000 4x4 Automatic. Any help?



Here's a video I took today (10/7/12) of the idle while sitting in the parking lot at work. I started out in reverse with my foot on the brakes the whole time, then down to neutral, then into drive. You can see an obvious shaking that I think isn't supposed to be there. Take a look:

 

[Muadeeb]

Distributor?? Could also be a bad leak in the intake tube.

Sent via wild ferrets on crack

 

[NismoFire]

Distributor, coolant temp sensor...or it's just not used to the altitude yet.


Don't higher alt vehicles require a different timing to run efficiently? I may be pulling that out of my arse, but I seem to recall someone saying that once.

 

[AZhiAZiAM]

mine just did the same thing... was a distributor problem. replaced it haven't had a issue since except for the throttle response. that thing is so touchy sometimes and i have to reset it every once in awhile.

 

[Kris&HerX]

Distributor, coolant temp sensor...or it's just not used to the altitude yet.


Don't higher alt vehicles require a different timing to run efficiently? I may be pulling that out of my arse, but I seem to recall someone saying that once.

That was done too. Alan already tuned the belt for the altitude. I was thinking by now (1,oook since) it'd be over itself.

I'll see if the distributor is the issue. Emily's driving it currently because her truck is missing two lugs on the driver's front.

 

[AaronsX]

I think with X's its the distributor like they are saying.

On my old wrangler at one point id push the gas and it would sputter like you described and a tune up fixed that problem.

 

[Kris&HerX]

It's only happening at idle. Not when I accelerate.

 

[Roninjiro]

sounds like others are on the money with the dizzy, as it will advance and retard due to whatever rpm the engine is experiencing. On a side note, we traded in our 2011 chevy cruze because of that same problem and it had no distributor and was brand new (went with a brand we trust aka Nissan)

 

[Kris&HerX]

Hmm, well we're already getting rid of one of the Xterras, and lord knows I could never part with mine. Off to the cement pad she goes.