We have a 52-reg Nissan Almera Tino which has been causing us some big problems since earlier this year. On starting the engine, it can sometimes take up to 60 seconds before the engine will turn over. When it does start, clouds of white smoke come from the exhaust. When the car is started, it runs perfectly. The problem appears to be particularly bad if cold/damp/wet. One thing that we have realised is that if the car is parked facing downhill, it starts first time. On one occasion when I phoned the AA to start it, he 'manually primed' the fuel pump and it started straight away.