I just got an '87 Sentra with an E series engine (168,000 miles on it) that I'm having problems with. The immediate problme is, it won't start. I was told it's the carburetor, but here's the brief history:
To start with, there was a major leak coming from the water pump. All the water water would leak as as soon as I filled the radiator, and would spurt and gush out upon starting the engine; one time I even saw water shoot up and out from inside the timing cover. I just replaced the water pump. There's still a bit of a leak--some water/coolant still trickles out when I start the engine--but it's nowhere near as bad as before. The problem now is, it won't start. Right after fixing the water pump last night, it started fine and I was able to drive it around a few miles. But this morning, it wouldn't start.
When I first found out about the water pump, it was from a mechanic I'd taken it to for a diagnostic; when I picked the car up from him, it wouldn't start either. I'd turn the key and the engine would keep chugging and chugging but wouldn't "catch" and start. So the mechanic came over, raised the hood and took off the cover to the air filter, had me turn the ignition, and while I was doing that, he sprayed some stuff around the air filter. Then it started.
Right now it's doing the exact same thing, it chugs and chugs but won't start. So I biked to the mechanic to ask what they did to help me get it started that time and what the issue was, and he said it's the carburetor. But before considering buying a new carburetor, I'm trying to find out how to check first to see if it might just need cleaning, adjusting a loose connection or something simple & minor like that. Aside from changing the water pump, I don't have any mechanical experience. I've just got some tools and a Chilton manual, but they don't show a diagram and I can't find one online so I don't even know where to locate the carburetor or what it looks like! I just don't know if the not starting has anything to do with the water pump issue, or if it's totally separate and unrelated. Any advice that anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated!
P.S. Oh yeah, also before giving me trouble starting, I was driving one day and ran out of gas (which is how I found out about the apparently faulty fuel gauge), so I don't know if that could be a factor here...
To start with, there was a major leak coming from the water pump. All the water water would leak as as soon as I filled the radiator, and would spurt and gush out upon starting the engine; one time I even saw water shoot up and out from inside the timing cover. I just replaced the water pump. There's still a bit of a leak--some water/coolant still trickles out when I start the engine--but it's nowhere near as bad as before. The problem now is, it won't start. Right after fixing the water pump last night, it started fine and I was able to drive it around a few miles. But this morning, it wouldn't start.
When I first found out about the water pump, it was from a mechanic I'd taken it to for a diagnostic; when I picked the car up from him, it wouldn't start either. I'd turn the key and the engine would keep chugging and chugging but wouldn't "catch" and start. So the mechanic came over, raised the hood and took off the cover to the air filter, had me turn the ignition, and while I was doing that, he sprayed some stuff around the air filter. Then it started.
Right now it's doing the exact same thing, it chugs and chugs but won't start. So I biked to the mechanic to ask what they did to help me get it started that time and what the issue was, and he said it's the carburetor. But before considering buying a new carburetor, I'm trying to find out how to check first to see if it might just need cleaning, adjusting a loose connection or something simple & minor like that. Aside from changing the water pump, I don't have any mechanical experience. I've just got some tools and a Chilton manual, but they don't show a diagram and I can't find one online so I don't even know where to locate the carburetor or what it looks like! I just don't know if the not starting has anything to do with the water pump issue, or if it's totally separate and unrelated. Any advice that anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated!
P.S. Oh yeah, also before giving me trouble starting, I was driving one day and ran out of gas (which is how I found out about the apparently faulty fuel gauge), so I don't know if that could be a factor here...