04 Sentra 1.8S hard to start.. Would someone Help?

[luckydk]

I bought my 04 sentra 3 months ago with 60K on it. Recently I figured out the car has problems to start -- sometimes need 2-3 tries. I changed the spark plugs, which didn't help. The car runs just fine besides that, getting 32mpg in the city. So I brought it to the Nissan dealer for a check up. Half day and $90 after, they told me they were not able to figure out what the problem was, so their suggestion was to change the fuel pump as a start to see whether that was the problem .

The problem is: the fuel pump is not as cheap as the spark plugs, and I don't want to waste more money on random parts.

Oh, and the car runs just fine besides that, getting an average of 32mpg city.

I did some research online and figured out that hard-start is a very common problem for 04-06 sentras. But changing the fuel pump won't work all the time. Would someone give me some idea about whether I could live with the current fuel pump? The car will still start - but you have to be patient.

Thank you very much for your help!

[nissan master tech]

didn't the dealer check the fuel presure bleed off after shutoff. That's a great way to find out if the fuel pump / presure regulator is holding presure. But if you can't afford to replace the pump you could always turn key on and wait 20 seconds or so before you crank and it should start up all the time. Good luck

[mpe235]

There is a repair kit available to correct that problem. The kit is a little less expensive than the pump.

[luckydk]

Hi, nissan master tech & mpe235,

Thank you very much for your reply, you guys are way more helpful then the dealer!!!!

My local dealer actually did not tell me any useful information at all after the check up, that's the major reason why I hesitate to change the fuel pump. I will go back and ask them whether they've actually checked fuel pressure bleed off after shutoff.

Thanks again! :D

[mpe235]

Originally Posted by luckydk

Hi, nissan master tech & mpe235,

Thank you very much for your reply, you guys are way more helpful then the dealer!!!!

My local dealer actually did not tell me any useful information at all after the check up, that's the major reason why I hesitate to change the fuel pump. I will go back and ask them whether they've actually checked fuel pressure bleed off after shutoff.

Thanks again! :D

It is a very common issue. I'm sure they probably didn't check the fuel pressure. They just quoted the repair based on previous experience. Also there is a technical service bulletin for this issue.

[luckydk]

Thanks mpe235. However, now I feel even worse to pay that $90 to our local Nissan Dealer... :(

[tech22]

Lets not go to a gun fight with a pocket knife... Here is what you need.( NTB05-052a / EC05-001A Sept8 2006.) This is for your long start time and fuel pump repair kit. Note: time allow for repair is 0.7 hrs. And while there at it have them check the Fuel Tank Vapor Hose(NTB05-060) just for good measure.

[luckydk]

Thanks tech22. Once my kitten is recovered, I will take my car to the machine shop again....