Q: 2000 Sentra shaking, hesitating, heat coming through ac vents, smoke from engine when hot.

asked by on September 25, 2017

Bought car recently, and about two weeks later it started hesitating and jerking a bit, sounding and feeling like it might stall. Auto zone code was the MAF. Took it to a mechanic who replaced an ignition coil plus connector, and another connector. Drove vehicle for 4 days with no problem, then after a 30 minute trip, smoke started coming out fro the engine area, check engine light flashing, and began jerking and hesitation again. Took it to another mechanic who replaced the valve cover which was cracked. Drove it 10 minutes to work and back and it was fine. Drove it 20 minutes the next day, let it sit for about 30 minutes then when I began driving it started jerking and shaking and hesitating immediately. Hot air was blowing in through the vents on the way home, the check engine light was flashing and when we got home, whitish smoke was coming from the back area of the engine compartment. Drove it to store yesterday, no problems going, but it did act up on the way home without smoke.

My car has 170000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

You need to have computer tested to see if you have misfire codes and may have got oil onto one or more of the spark plugs and coils causing the misfire. The A/C will not work normally since the computer will turn it off if it is misfiring. With the smoke you see may be left over oil that was spilled during valve cover service. Have engine rechecked for oil leaks and possible overheating.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do you fold down the rear seats in a 2012 Honda Civic?
Your car’s rear seats are designed to fold down to provide you with more room for hauling gear or other items. Doing so is actually pretty simple, and here are the steps you need to follow: Take the center rear...
Problem with acceleration
Hi. There are dozens of potential causes for your problem. It could be anything from a worn fuel pump to a clogged air filter. If the Check Engine Light is on (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection), the first step is to retrieve the diagnostic...
RV won't start
The RV's of that year on the Chevrolet chassis are generally on the P30 chassis. One weak spot in the starting system is the ignition switch itself. A voltage check at the starter solenoid will need to be performed to...
My 2002 Ford Crown Victoria is acting like it want to go, even though I'm not pressing on the gas
Hello. The most common cause of the high engine idle accompanied with a delayed acceleration will be a vacuum leak in most cases. This engine gets vacuum leaks (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-a-vacuum-leak) on the vacuum connection on the intake manifold (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/intake-manifold-gaskets-replacement) for the...
Need to reset or bypass the anti-theft system. Everything works just won't start.
Hi there. Try removing the battery cable for 13 minutes and operating everything in the car with the battery disconnected. Then when the battery is connected, reprogram the key fob remote to the vehicle and unlock and lock the drive...
I have a 98 Chevy Silverado truck 5.7 liter that also has an alarm. Lately, at times, my truck won't start.
Hi there. The could be an issue with the immobilizer system in your vehicle setting the security off causing the engine to not start or not have any power to the ignition switch. If the immobilizer is working properly, then...
It is a 320d and it doesn't start by itself in the morning unless I tow it.
Check the battery in the car. The battery may not have the amount of charge that is needed to start the diesel engine. A diesel engine requires more battery power to start it as the compression is higher than a...
why is my cruise main indicator light on and and it is gray? and how do i turn it off??
Hello there. When the cruise control light is illuminated in this manner, it indicates a problem somewhere within this system. It could be as minor as a stored error code in the ECU of your vehicle that simply needs to...
I got a 1999 Ford Windstar LX. It is jerking when I go over 45 or 50.
Hi there. Either the EGR - Exhaust Gas Recirculation - has been plugged up or the MAF - Mass Air Flow - sensor is dirty or damaged. Try removing the vacuum line to the EGR and test driving the vehicle...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan 370Z
Whether Whether you opt for the roadster or the coupe in the 2012 Nissan 370Z, you will be choosing a machine that will provide outstanding performance and a luxurious interior that you won’t be able to tear yourself away from....
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan Altima Hybrid
The The Nissan Altima is already a favorite among mid-sized sedans, but it gained even more points with a lot of car buyers with the option to buy a 2012 Nissan Altima Hybrid. Though the four-cylinder Nissan Altima was already...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Caterer
If If you are in the catering business, you need a reliable vehicle that will provide you with what you need to transport your food, linens, and other supplies. Generally speaking, you're better off buying gently used, because you will...