2003 nissan almera - starting problem | Technical matters | Back Room Forum

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Wed 16 Jul 2014 01:44

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - chichi

I bought this car second hand a few months ago and within 3 weeks the engine management light came on. It was jumping when I was driving but then it wouldn't start on a morning. It keeps trying and takes 15 mins to get started. You have to let it tick over for 5 to 10 mins and then it runs fine. If it stands again for more than an hour and a half you go through the same procedure again although it doesnot take as long. It sounds like its missing and put puts a few times.

It was put on to the computer and it came up as a cam sensor which i had fitted but it has not solved the problem. I've been told its the tensioner on the timing chain and it will cost 800-900 to replace but probably is not worth spending that much due to the age of car and another couple of garages do not want to know. I have been reading some old reviews that seem to have the same problem. Do you think it could be the timing chain?

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Wed 16 Jul 2014 02:08

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - Wackyracer

Most likely a stretched timing chain. This will give a cam sensor fault as the timing of the crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor then become out of sync.

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Wed 16 Jul 2014 10:28

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - bathtub tom

The cam chain can be checked quite simply by removing the cam cover. If the tensioner's protruding by more than a certain amount (10mm I think, check this, there's plenty of information on the web), the chain's stretched.

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Wed 16 Jul 2014 12:23

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - galileo

The cam chain can be checked quite simply by removing the cam cover. If the tensioner's protruding by more than a certain amount (10mm I think, check this, there's plenty of information on the web), the chain's stretched.

My mate who runs his own independent garage told me he has had cases where a brand new chain exceeded the 10mm limit, new chainwheels were needed to bring it into spec.

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Wed 16 Jul 2014 12:42

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - Wackyracer

My mate who runs his own independent garage told me he has had cases where a brand new chain exceeded the 10mm limit, new chainwheels were needed to bring it into spec.

That makes sense really as both parts must wear.

IMHO chains are no good with modern service intervals. They need clean oil often and when they do wear out they are much more involved to change than a timing belt.

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Wed 16 Jul 2014 20:18

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - Manatee

Chains ain't what they used to be either.

The "toothed chain" on the VAG EA113 baed CBZ* 1.2TSI engine, introduced in 2009, had to be redesigned after early failures.

Pictures here (TPI notice).

goo.gl/rgkEID

Still in production, but the later EA211 1.2TSI now has a belt again.

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Sat 26 Jul 2014 13:01

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - chichi

The cam chain can be checked quite simply by removing the cam cover. If the tensioner's protruding by more than a certain amount (10mm I think, check this, there's plenty of information on the web), the chain's stretched.

Thanks. We'll check that

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Sat 26 Jul 2014 12:57

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - chichi

Most likely a stretched timing chain. This will give a cam sensor fault as the timing of the crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor then become out of sync.

Thanks. The garages I had it to all say could be timing chain but at £800.00 to replace say its a lot of money to spend on an old car and it might not rectify the fault. We have replaced the cam sensor and crank sensor and now it won't start. Think we'l have to scrap it

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Sat 26 Jul 2014 13:04

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - chichi

Most likely a stretched timing chain. This will give a cam sensor fault as the timing of the crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor then become out of sync.

Thanks,everyone says the same about the chain but also say its an expensive job for an old car.

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Wed 16 Jul 2014 21:02

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - xreflow

This might sound daft, but it happened to me with an Alfa Romeon...the MAF sensor had failed completely, which led to the fuel injection making (wrong) assumptions as to the fueling required...resulting in what smelled like a very lean mixture from cold start.

Changed the MAF and it started and ran fine.

Might be worth you borrowing one to test...hope this helps

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Sat 26 Jul 2014 12:59

2003 nissan almera - starting problem - chichi

This might sound daft, but it happened to me with an Alfa Romeon...the MAF sensor had failed completely, which led to the fuel injection making (wrong) assumptions as to the fueling required...resulting in what smelled like a very lean mixture from cold start.

Changed the MAF and it started and ran fine.

Might be worth you borrowing one to test...hope this helps

Thanks

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