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Nissan Altima Engine Failures

501 messages,  Last post on Dec 07, 2009 at 8:07 AM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima, Engine, Sedan


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#476 of 501
Re: Did I catch the problem in time? [tripj] by tripj
Sep 26, 2009 (11:25 am)
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Replying to: tripj (Sep 25, 2009 2:09 pm)

Had the same problem today. First time I drove it since I posted last. Car started fine this morning, drove about 30 min. When I went to start the car 3 hours later, I had to crank it several times for about 15 seconds each before it turned over. So it seems to start fine when cold, but gives me a tough time, very rough start feeling, when it's warm or hot. I am not mechanically inclined, and I have already reached the limits of what logic dictates. Car does runs fine, once it's running. I have been checking the oil and the level is the same and has maintained the milkiness- no black.
 
I will be calling my NJ mechanic on Monday to see if he has any insight, but I don't think I can afford to take it to a mechanic down here just yet( last time had to get 2 new tires and a water pump and thermostat in addition to the sealant and precat drilling- total about $800). I will continue to update.
#477 of 501
Re: Did I catch the problem in time? [tripj] by tripj
Sep 27, 2009 (11:31 am)
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Replying to: tripj (Sep 26, 2009 11:25 am)

Start but no turnover again this morning. Took off radiator cap while engine was ice cold and coolant spit out at me. Parked the car on incline, started car and watched bubbles, guess there was air in there. Now starts fine, hot or cold.
 
I am hoping for the best.
#478 of 501
fix your head gasket by rondhol
Sep 27, 2009 (8:12 pm)
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Hi tripj, You have to fix your head gasket asap or you need a new engine. Your oil will be contaminated with coolant and ruin your bearings,cylinder wall, piston rings, etc.
 
I fixed my head gasket in ALL Tune and Lube for $1200 total ($890 tear down+ $310 machine shop work ). The engine works fine for more than 18k miles/15 months even with 0.5 quarts/1k miles oil consumption. Remember to check "Struts, passenger and rear side engine mounts, and outer tie rod, timing chain tensioner (1 second rattle in cold start)" before you decide to fix or sell it.
#479 of 501
Re: fix your head gasket [rondhol] by electricdesign
Sep 28, 2009 (6:28 pm)
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Replying to: rondhol (Sep 27, 2009 8:12 pm)

I already told tripj what he had to do, especially about replacing the head gasket in messages # 471 & 474. The engine head gasket needs to be fixed right away, but it will get fixed when he feels the urgency to do it, or is able to come up with the money to do it. Yes, the engine will eventually destroy itself if not repaired. If that same situation happened to me right now, I would have to just nurse it along, using some sealer as I suggested for temporary repair, because I have been unemployed for 4 months, broke, with no work in sight. And I have lots of valuable skills, but they are not worth much in this dead economy/depression. So maybe he can somehow scape together what he needs to fix it, or maybe not.
#480 of 501
Re: fix your head gasket [electricdesign] by tripj
Sep 30, 2009 (5:11 am)
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Replying to: electricdesign (Sep 28, 2009 6:28 pm)

Well it was a good couple of days when that was working. Sitting here confused because I am back to square one. The coolant reservoir is empty, could I have lost too much coolant? The radiator is almost full. Will try putting some water in the coolant reservoir, I suppose, tho I don't see how that could keep it from starting when it's 55degrees out.
 
I have just relocated and am looking for a job myself, no money. This is not good.
#481 of 501
Re: fix your head gasket [tripj] by electricdesign
Sep 30, 2009 (5:29 pm)
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Replying to: tripj (Sep 30, 2009 5:11 am)

Tripj, here is what you need to do. You need to fix the most important and pressing issues first. The head gasket leak is major in my book. If not fixed, it will destroy your engine. If you don't have the money right now, you must take measures to prevent further damage right away. If you have not put the sealer in the radiator as I suggested in messege #474, then do that now. Look for and note any external coolant leaks, if any. You are loosing coolant, and if is not leaking out where you can see it, it is leaking inside the engine head gasket. Keep the coolant reservoir filled up to the proper level. Water may be ok in the summer, but it may freeze in the winter. How cold does it get where you are? Make an estimate of how much fluid you have to add to the coolant reservoir each week. That will give us an idea of how bad the head gasket problem is. Once you use the radiator sealer, you should have to add less than 16 ounces to the coolant reservoir per week. Check the coolant level and the engine oil level every day to see what each usage is.
Once that is under control, look to see what the starting problem is. Fixing the coolant leak may help fix the starting problem. The causes for the hard starting or no start could be many different reasons.
Good luck, E.D.
#482 of 501
Re: fix your head gasket [electricdesign] by tripj
Oct 01, 2009 (5:52 am)
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Replying to: electricdesign (Sep 30, 2009 5:29 pm)

ED,
I appreciate your concern. As I mentioned in #475, before I left New Jersey for N. Carolina, my mechanic drilled the precat and put sealer in. In a nutshell, this is what has happened since:
-Drove 500 miles to n Carolina, started car next day no problem, 2 hours later very hard start.
-Next day: Start car no problem, start car 2 hours later, very hard start(giving gas to boost rpms to start)
-Next day very hard start, Bleed radiator lines, car starts fine.
-For 2 days car starts fine. Turned off and on maybe 15-20 times running errands.
-Next day car won't start.
 
Checked spark plugs yesterday. 1 & 4 wet and smell like gas (from trying to start it and giving the car gas, I guess) but they spark and so does 3. No spark on 2. 2&3 dry with no smell.
 
I am changing the spark plugs today, tho I very much doubt that will help. That is the limit of what I can do with my automotive knowledge and available tools(not sure what I have less of). If it won't turn over, I'll have to have it towed to a shop and hope for the best. I have 3 more payments on it, so can't even have it hauled away cuz I have no title.
 
I am at my wit's end.
#483 of 501
Re: fix your head gasket [tripj] by tripj
Oct 01, 2009 (9:12 am)
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Replying to: tripj (Oct 01, 2009 5:52 am)

Put in new plugs, lo and behold, it starts right up. Big scary cloud of white exhaust. SES light is still on. I'll take it for a diagnostic ($100) and see what's what.
#484 of 501
Re: fix your head gasket [tripj] by electricdesign
Oct 03, 2009 (6:39 am)
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Replying to: tripj (Oct 01, 2009 9:12 am)

Glad to hear the new plugs helped the engine start. This means your engine must likely be in bad shape, because there is a reason that they fouled. Were they the original plugs? My daughters 2002 Altima 2.5 had the original plugs until 100,000 miles, and they did not look bad then. What did the plugs look like, fouled with oil or fouled with gas, or both? What color was the insulator tip? You may need to check general engine health, like check engine cylinder compressions would be helpful - they should be at least 140 lbs, up to 180 lbs - 200 lbs if the head has been milled. Vacuum gauge readings may be helpful.
Wow, $100 for a diagnostic, hate to see you spend that much, but may be worth it if they give you valuable information.
This all goes back to the Head Gasket problem and if you have the pre-cat problem or not. Even with the sealer in the radiator, the Head Gasket will still leak small amounts of coolant into the cylinders from time to time, that is why you need to daily be checking all the fluid levels. Please update on how much coolant that you have to add per day or week, and how much engine oil you have to add per day, week, or month, this will be indications of what is happening with the head gasket leak and if there are any problems with the cylinders. That would be helpful diagnostic information.
To save your engine for as long as you can, make sure that the engine never runs hot or overheats & check and keep all fluid levels filled up.
Good Luck, E.D.

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