COVID-19 strikes ... the KA24E - Infamous Nissan

LugNut1990 · 01-23-2021, 07:20 PM

The D21 has been on reserve-duty for years now, to carry loads, etc., so it didn't get driven much. I'd drive it daily for a couple of weeks, though, twice a year to burn up/replace the tank of gas to keep it fresh. Also have kept the battery charged.

However, due to COVID, I'm not driving anything very much, so I think it had been at least a month, if not three, since driving my truck. Needed to carry a load a few days ago, so ...

Started fine, but immediately the engine was shaking and the exhaust putt-putting. Exhaust moist but no fuel smell nor oil smoke. Suspected losing a cylinder.

Today, timing light and in-line spark tester verified spark to all four. Pulling the SP wires one-by-one revealed that #3 is the culprit. Spark plug dry. Gas smells good. Continues to start fine, but with the consistent miss.

Stethoscope found no clicks on injector #3, but others were OK. This set of injectors, as well as the fuel filter, are only 2.5 years old. A light tapping of injector #3 did not get it working. Electrical connector seems well-seated; rodent damage not likely.

So ... unless others here have a trick, it looks as if the fuel rail is coming off again. I still have, from a few years ago, my syringe + harness setup for using spray cleaner to bench-test and clean the injector. Also have the three good injectors from the mass replacement 2.5 years ago. Having time to do the work is the problem, though.

PorknBeans · 01-23-2021, 09:50 PM

According to local legend, the worst thing to do for any vehicle is not to drive it. But I get why you haven't.

Items that come to mind with your symptoms would be:

1.) Fuel pressure test
2.) New fuel filter
3.) Testing for power to the injector harness with the key turned to "Accessory". Should get 11VDC-14VDC
4.) Ohm test the injector connector pins
5.) Try a working injector (maybe from the last batch that worked?)
6.) Compression test across all 4 cylinders

I love my mechanic's stethoscope! Has pin pointed many problems on my truck and has been a very valuable tool for me. I even keep it in my truck when I drive my truck everyday! It's a "just in case thing"...

LugNut1990 · 01-23-2021, 09:54 PM

It's alive (again)! Details, and a picture later.

LugNut1990 · 01-24-2021, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PorknBeans

According to local legend, the worst thing to do for any vehicle is not to drive it.

Not just there! And maybe not the worst thing ... a sudden stop against a tree, bridge abutment, etc. would be worse for the vehicle ... and the driver.

Pic of test uploaded; it and description soon.

LugNut1990 · 01-24-2021, 02:31 PM

Delayed other things to fix the KA24E, much to the dismay of the dependents. There was a big (for here) snowstorm predicted for tomorrow, so I was eager to get the 4x4 running well again to have some fun in it. But as of this morning, the forecast has changed to a rain event-only for us.

After pulling the pump's 10A fuse and using up most of the fuel pressure, and opening the gas cap, dug into the job. It's always easier/faster to do something the second+ time, than the first!

Once the fuel rail was exposed, disconnected #3 injector from the harness, then used my self-assembled tester-tool:

The tester shown above uses a Standard Motor Products (SMP) S696 connector (RockAuto, about $10; works, but doesn't fit perfectly), a Radio Shack NO switch, a female 9VDC connector, and a 8xAA battery pack (probably the latter two from RS as well -- maybe get via eBay now).

With the engine off (so was quiet), and with the tester and stethoscope, no injector clicks at all from #3. So it was deemed dead, but I may try bench-cleaning it later.

Pulled the rail, and #3 injector came off fairly easily. A rail-full of gas does dump out, so had a rag underneath the injector to catch, and lots of air flowing through the space to the outdoors. Cleaned/tested one of the old injectors on the shelf (it's always good to have space to keep old, maybe reuseable parts!), and installed it. The KA24E is working great now!

(Injectors cleaned/tested via the pressurized syringe-tube {via a can of carb cleaner} method -- see Youtube for examples. Be safe! Extremely flammable, etc.)

Bring on that snowstorm, power(s) that be!

PorknBeans · 01-24-2021, 04:17 PM

YES!!!!

Run that bad boy!

Well done, Sir!

LugNut1990 · 01-27-2021, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PorknBeans

Run that bad boy!

Finally will, starting tomorrow! To use up the tank of gas, and put fresh in.

And a whopping two inches of snow is predicted overnight.

89'HBV6 · 01-27-2021, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugNut1990

And a whopping two inches of snow is predicted overnight.

Ooooooooooo... I remember "donuts in the snow" mornings in Colorado parking lots. Go have phun!

01-23-2021, 07:20 PM	#1
LugNut1990 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: N.E. Kansas Posts: 702 Vehicle: 1990 Nissan Hardbody Thanks: 0 Thanked 90 Times in 79 Posts	COVID-19 strikes ... the KA24E The D21 has been on reserve-duty for years now, to carry loads, etc., so it didn't get driven much. I'd drive it daily for a couple of weeks, though, twice a year to burn up/replace the tank of gas to keep it fresh. Also have kept the battery charged. However, due to COVID, I'm not driving anything very much, so I think it had been at least a month, if not three, since driving my truck. Needed to carry a load a few days ago, so ... Started fine, but immediately the engine was shaking and the exhaust putt-putting. Exhaust moist but no fuel smell nor oil smoke. Suspected losing a cylinder. Today, timing light and in-line spark tester verified spark to all four. Pulling the SP wires one-by-one revealed that #3 is the culprit. Spark plug dry. Gas smells good. Continues to start fine, but with the consistent miss. Stethoscope found no clicks on injector #3, but others were OK. This set of injectors, as well as the fuel filter, are only 2.5 years old. A light tapping of injector #3 did not get it working. Electrical connector seems well-seated; rodent damage not likely. So ... unless others here have a trick, it looks as if the fuel rail is coming off again. I still have, from a few years ago, my syringe + harness setup for using spray cleaner to bench-test and clean the injector. Also have the three good injectors from the mass replacement 2.5 years ago. Having time to do the work is the problem, though. __________________ Original owner 1990 Nissan Hardbody, Aztec Red Standard cab, 4x4, KA24E, 5-speed Intentionally near-stock Mods: Second OEM horn, stereo/speakers/sub, mud and snow tires, HD trailer hitch (cat 3+), liquid bed liner, G1W dashcam Definitely not for sale!

01-23-2021, 09:50 PM	#2
PorknBeans Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Where I can see the air I breathe... Posts: 204 Vehicle: Original owner of my 3-pdl 1997 Nissan Hardbody King Cab XE 2WD 5-spd. Thanks: 22 Thanked 63 Times in 49 Posts	According to local legend, the worst thing to do for any vehicle is not to drive it. But I get why you haven't. Items that come to mind with your symptoms would be: 1.) Fuel pressure test 2.) New fuel filter 3.) Testing for power to the injector harness with the key turned to "Accessory". Should get 11VDC-14VDC 4.) Ohm test the injector connector pins 5.) Try a working injector (maybe from the last batch that worked?) 6.) Compression test across all 4 cylinders I love my mechanic's stethoscope! Has pin pointed many problems on my truck and has been a very valuable tool for me. I even keep it in my truck when I drive my truck everyday! It's a "just in case thing"... __________________

01-24-2021, 02:31 PM	#5
LugNut1990 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: N.E. Kansas Posts: 702 Vehicle: 1990 Nissan Hardbody Thanks: 0 Thanked 90 Times in 79 Posts	In-situ injector test, and the fix Delayed other things to fix the KA24E, much to the dismay of the dependents. There was a big (for here) snowstorm predicted for tomorrow, so I was eager to get the 4x4 running well again to have some fun in it. But as of this morning, the forecast has changed to a rain event-only for us. After pulling the pump's 10A fuse and using up most of the fuel pressure, and opening the gas cap, dug into the job. It's always easier/faster to do something the second+ time, than the first! Once the fuel rail was exposed, disconnected #3 injector from the harness, then used my self-assembled tester-tool: The tester shown above uses a Standard Motor Products (SMP) S696 connector (RockAuto, about $10; works, but doesn't fit perfectly), a Radio Shack NO switch, a female 9VDC connector, and a 8xAA battery pack (probably the latter two from RS as well -- maybe get via eBay now). With the engine off (so was quiet), and with the tester and stethoscope, no injector clicks at all from #3. So it was deemed dead, but I may try bench-cleaning it later. Pulled the rail, and #3 injector came off fairly easily. A rail-full of gas does dump out, so had a rag underneath the injector to catch, and lots of air flowing through the space to the outdoors. Cleaned/tested one of the old injectors on the shelf (it's always good to have space to keep old, maybe reuseable parts!), and installed it. The KA24E is working great now! (Injectors cleaned/tested via the pressurized syringe-tube {via a can of carb cleaner} method -- see Youtube for examples. Be safe! Extremely flammable, etc.) Bring on that snowstorm, power(s) that be! __________________ Original owner 1990 Nissan Hardbody, Aztec Red Standard cab, 4x4, KA24E, 5-speed Intentionally near-stock Mods: Second OEM horn, stereo/speakers/sub, mud and snow tires, HD trailer hitch (cat 3+), liquid bed liner, G1W dashcam Definitely not for sale!

01-24-2021, 04:17 PM	#6
PorknBeans Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Where I can see the air I breathe... Posts: 204 Vehicle: Original owner of my 3-pdl 1997 Nissan Hardbody King Cab XE 2WD 5-spd. Thanks: 22 Thanked 63 Times in 49 Posts	YES!!!! Run that bad boy! Well done, Sir! __________________

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01-23-2021, 09:54 PM	#3
LugNut1990 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: N.E. Kansas Posts: 702 Vehicle: 1990 Nissan Hardbody Thanks: 0 Thanked 90 Times in 79 Posts	It's alive (again)! Details, and a picture later. __________________ Original owner 1990 Nissan Hardbody, Aztec Red Standard cab, 4x4, KA24E, 5-speed Intentionally near-stock Mods: Second OEM horn, stereo/speakers/sub, mud and snow tires, HD trailer hitch (cat 3+), liquid bed liner, G1W dashcam Definitely not for sale!