Need help today on a no-start '95 Sentra!!!

Feb 28th, 2003, 01:46 PM

Hello to all, I am new here! This is a post for a plea for some help! We own a '95 Sentra with the 1.6, it is our daily driver, and is bone stock. I returned from a business trip to find my wife could not get the car to start. It cranks just fine, and has spark. I pulled the plugs, they appear to be somewhat dry. I have not checked fuel pressure, but it did have fuel when the key was turned on, and the line out of the filter was placed into a container. I do not have access to a scan tool, and am hoping someone here has some information to share. I am guessing the timing chain/tensioner is not an issue, as I can see the cam moving when cranking the motor with the oil fill cap off. What I am wondering, is if maybe there is a coolant temp sensor out of whack, maybe not delivering enough fuel volume when it is cold to start? Or, if there are any other known issues I need to check for? The car has been trouble-free until now, with only a small oil leak from the front seal, which will be dealt with when our weather gets a bit warmer! Fire away with any ideas, the best way is to email them to me. I now remember why I got out of the auto tech end of things in '98! I was an ASE Master Tech for 20 yrs, and got tired of broken knuckles! Again, thanks for any help in my quest to avoid the Nissan dealership on Monday morning.....

LIUSPEED · Feb 28th, 2003, 02:32 PM

check the coolant temp sensor..

this happened 2 me twice and both times it was the temp sensor.

Mar 18th, 2003, 12:12 PM

well, out of that. you contradicted yourself. you say that when you returned from a business trip your wife couldn't get the car to start but then you said that it did start and you saw the cam moving. so, if you explain yourself a little more clearly. i would be glad to assist you!

Mar 18th, 2003, 05:52 PM

It did turn over for her, just would not start up. I came home to it, checked things over, and finally decided that it must have had low voltage to the ignition system due to it cranking slowly with heavier weight (20/50) oil in it at below zero temperatures, she left it out and not in the garage, and thus a weak spark from low voltage let it gas wash the cylinders, and it flooded itself. I ended up adding engine assembly oil to the cylinders thru the plug holes, which gave it better compression with gas in it, and it finally started up. Then, I changed back to the 5/30 synthetic, and it has been fine. Lesson learned------fix the d@mn front seal leak, and quit tossing leftover 20/50 racing oil in during the winter since the synthetic is so much more costly!

RiceBox · Mar 18th, 2003, 09:34 PM

20W50 is WAYYY to thick for these engines, especially in the winter!!