Nissan Altima GXE 1999, autom, 195K 1st problem,: Engine chk light.. on/off & later on for long b/4 off at fill-up & then on/off till next fillup. Scan code: p0171(read: low fuel pressure/blocked injector(s)/large vacuum leak/MAF sensor fault). local mechanic..said possib. intake manifold & throttle body gasket bad !!! 1 month later engine started running rough on start up, misfiring, as if warm up needed. Then came the high-pitch whining/grinding noise on acceleration & at every stop. Noise seems to come from the alternator/drive belts to the Right! PEP Boys diagnosed problem as BAD WATER PUMP ($480.00!)- even though "no leaks/temp normal/loss loss of coolant. Had water pump replaced last week end. Noise still there, & now getting louder!

I'd planned to replace the PVC valve/elbow HOSE, the FUEL FILTER coming week end & perhaps have the MAF sensor cleaned. But this new detection of sound from the belt/alternator are has thrown me a curve ball! HELP!!! Charles

had the problem happen bout 6 months ago and replaced plugs with baush platnium. ran good for a while then started spittin and sputtering, especially with a/c running, and in gear.went and bought a new rotor and dist. ran fine for bout a week, then the same thing. read about intake gasket and checked no leak took dist. cap off and no oil, even check plug fire ,while car running, removed one wire @ a time and they were firing. didnt want to buy plug wires yet b/c they $60. bought the NGK V-power plugs(the copper resistor plugs)part# 6953 and installed and now it runs fine.do not buy platnium or iridium plugs you do not need them just b/c they are rare metals. it doesn't make them a better conductor, as a matter of fact the surface area is way smaller than the copper plugs.

if you read this and have the same problem go get the NGK V-power plugs before you spend alot of money on mechanics or parts, also check the above like i did. dont let them tell you that the PLATNIUM and IRIDIUM are better, they might last longer but you need to do maintenance on you car before 100000 miles. in this case why not use PLUTONIUM as it will last for hundreds of years and will not have to spark cause it will stay lit up all the time...hello. dont fall for the hipe bout platnium and iridium plugs...the more surface area the better to get a good spark. r ite im done now hope this helps.

I'm so glad I've found this forum. My problem started a year ago, during the winter months. When I would start my car it would rev high. When put into reverse it would either immediately die, or idle low and shake. If I was lucky enough to get out of the driveway, the car would do the same thing (idle low, shake and rumble) at red lights. After warming up a bit it would drive fine - pretty much.

I took it to my mechanic and they said it was throwing a knock sensor code. Replaced that sensor, an 02 sensor of some-sort, and spark plugs. Sorry, I'm not a mechanic - don't really know the lingo. Everything seemed ok after that, UNTIL.......

THIS winter. Now it's doing the same thing PLUS, when I put my foot on the gas it creeps really slow and then suddenly kicks into full speed. AND the RPMs go up and down when stopped, for no apparent reason. I have been back to my mechanic three times; the first time they thought it was a coolant leak, so they fixed that and gave the car a full tune-up, which didn't do the trick. Then they thought all I needed was a fuel-injection cleaning. Did that, and that didn't fix it either, and that's when my "service engine soon" light came on. I took it back a third time and they said they could not find ANYTHING, they suspected it could be some "cam" thing (sorry) and said they didn't feel comfortable charging me 300-400 bucks for something that might not be the problem.

This problem is at its worst when it's cold or wet outside. Like I said, once it warms up a bit, the problem isn't so evident. Now I see that it's most likely a faulty intake manifold gasket and I'm pissed! I do not have that kind of cash, the car is only worth $2,500-$3,500 anyway, and I'm going to drop a thousand bucks on it for THIS?! I don't think so. I really love this car otherwise, and have had no major problems besides normal things that come with age. I planned to stick with Nissan for my next car too, but now I'm not so sure. This is obviously a major problem with these years and Nissan should have some mercy in their souls and take care of this the right way. Grrrrr.....

I have the similar problem like everybody with my 1999 Altima. time to time Service engine light come on and idling is very rough. Some times it shakes like a washer machine. Have replaced spark plugs but no difference. before I start putting more money into this problem I am going to get this checked at the dealer just to confirm if this is intake manifold problem.

I am kind of losing my faith in Nissan cars have always bought Nissan in the past. This should definitely be a recalled by Nissan.