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1995 Altima, Starts Randomly (replaced head)
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scuzum2u
New User
Sep 21, 2008, 10:54 AM
Post #1 of 4
(1853 views)
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1995 Altima, Starts Randomly (replaced head)
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Just to preface, my 1995 Nissan Altima GXE 2.4L (manual) vehicle gave me no problems prior to this problem.
I was driving on the highway with four people in my car, and made the stupid decision to downshift (to 3rd) to pass a car up while maintaining 60+ mph. I made it to my destination, stayed for a couple hours and then left. On my way back home (about 25 mi drive) I noticed rather late that my car was running extremely hot, because it started to kick back and knock. I made it home almost, and that's when the engine just shut off. I left the car alone and the next morning it didn't start. We changed the spark plug wires, spark plugs, thermostat, and radiator (because it had a hole in it from the pressure). At this point, the car still did not start, so we push started it. The car ran fine for probably 10 miles, and it still would not start. That is when we checked the oil and it was white and creamy, so then deduced the head gasket was blown. We brought it back home (because I was out of state) and opened the car up. We removed the head and when we tried getting it milled at the machine shop, they said it was too warped (to give you an idea of how bad it overheated). We then replaced the head, head gasket, intake/exhaust gaskets, spark plugs, oil. We left the valve cover off and tried starting it, and still it cranks fine like its about to start but never starts (we left the spark plugs in, and spark plug wires). BUT, we took the spark plugs out to see if they were flooding, but they were fine. We left the spark plugs out for about a half hour, and then put them back in. We put the spark plugs wires on, and everything is still off (the belt, valve cover). We try starting it and it STARTS! So then we shut it off and are looking around to see why it started all of a sudden. We did not know what was different, so we try starting it 5 minutes later to make sure we don't put it all together for no reason. And this is where we are now. The car does not start again. We replaced the head, head gasket, oil, spark plugs, spark plug wires. We checked and made sure the fuel pump is working. The compression is fine, the timing is fine. The car has a timing chain, so it need not be replaced. What could it be?? The distributor cap, and router was also replaced. The piston is TDC (exhaust/intake valves are in appropriate spots) where its supposed to be. My dad is the main mechanic, and it is my car, I am the son. So if I need to expand on anything let me know. But we are at a loss, because we did this total replacement, and it starts out of the blue, but then after that nothing. Well not nothing, I mean it cranks and everything, its ready to start but something is wrong...please help! Oh, we also checked to see if some trouble code flashed via check engine light, and it flashed "55" which is normal. We checked to make sure the computer is working by unplugging the ECM? i forgot what it was, but the computer flashed the correct trouble code, so the computer is fine. What else...I think that's it, we did everything by the book and now its just a matter of experience as to why its not starting. I have the FSManual, and Haynes. THANK YOU, SUNNY GILL.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 21, 2008, 11:11 AM
Post #2 of 4
(1848 views)
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Re: 1995 Altima, Starts Randomly (replaced head)
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Hold on a second. Did I read that after all this it did start and now it just won't?
Back to basics - Does it have spark at the plugs at all? Fuel and proper fuel pressure?
T
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scuzum2u
New User
Sep 21, 2008, 12:40 PM
Post #3 of 4
(1845 views)
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Re: 1995 Altima, Starts Randomly (replaced head)
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Yes, it started after all that, and now it won't.
The spark plugs are receiving spark, yes. Fuel pressure is fine.
Thanks for the prompt response! I am going back and forth to computer, and car, although the car is a standstill.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 21, 2008, 1:15 PM
Post #4 of 4
(1841 views)
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Re: 1995 Altima, Starts Randomly (replaced head)
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Ok: Just tossing out ideas. I'd try priming throttle body with starting fluid and see if that reacts. If that does then will need to know if injectors are pulsing for fuel delivery.
Timing. You said it's a chain and wrote that off as ok just because of that. They can be off, tensioners if used fail, jump a tooth or more etc.
You've done a lot to this and it did run so I'd be looking for something that was disturbed in all the work not being quite right - anything - wiring connections and whatevers,
T
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