Problems Starting...

First of all - petrol? Even if it's sitting just above the red, whack £5 in a jerry can.

If that doesn't work, check for a spark (HT lead and spark plug against block while cranking).

Its got half a tank

Chuck a bit more in - had a mate a while ago who had a similar problem

- his fuel guage was bust...

Has it been running properly until now? If it's been a bit rough it could be the known throttle body problem. Otherwise have a good look round the engine for pipes wot have come adrift. A very small pipe falling off the injection unit disabled my Volvo in this manner once.

Si

Have you checked for a spark like the previous poster suggested?

Morse

Possible causes include no spark at plugs... several reasons for this No fuel getting into cylinders..... several reasons for this Compression of fuel and spark missing each other (Timing) Engine turning over too slowly... several reason for this Faulty immobiliser

and that's just a few to be going on with

Tony

Seconded.

Put your foot on the accelerator, don't pump it. Try start the car and listen to the engine, there's an optimal peddle-level, so experiment. After cranking for a while, it should start, assuming you've wd40'd the right places.

There's a cause of what you're saying that may be simpler than you think:

If you start an oldish micra, and don't drive it for more than a few metres, or just switch the engine off quickly, the engine is flooded. It wont start for a day or so, as evaporation has to occur so unflood. Otherwise, a great engine - not that great if you're late for work though...

Thanks for your help guys, Im going to call the RAC out this morning... Let you lot know what the problem was later.

Just had the RAC round, the bloke said the Fuel Pump has gone. :(

Any idea where I can get one from?

Thanks.

A scrappy. Nissan. A parts specialist.

Lots of Micras being broken on eBay.

Si

I phoned Motorworld, they can get me a new one in for Tuesday for £26

Thanks Guys.

That's very cheap compared to the new ones for sale on eBay! Well found.

Si

You could probably find an R reg-ish one in a scrappy with a decent good-condition fuel pump for a fiver or a tenner max, depends on if you can haggle ;) Just say you can get one new for £14, they always do half price or something if it's in good nick.

I'd not bother buying brand new, the cars an L reg, wont be on the road for more than 2 or 3 years, unless you've already waxoyled thoroughly ;-)

The sills on these cars rust like a rusty-bugger-merchant. I'd seriously get it waxoled, DIY for the sake of it, it will ensure it passes it's MOT for a few more years, unless it's fooked already! The engines are excellent. Never had an engine with quite as much grunt in a 1 litre car, plus it's a 16v, which is unusual for a car of it's age. It's a shame the styling of them isn't quite up to much, but let's hope you got one of the ones that actually has material covernig most metal inner parts of the car!

Tell me about it! a Nissan Dealership wanted £126 for one!! LOL

Spookydel ( snipped-for-privacy@googlemail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

I was talking to a mate the other day - he'd had a car which was missing, coughing, spluttering periodically.

Dropped the tank to make sure it physically DID have petrol in, replaced a large chunk of the injection system, and was absolutely losing his rag with it. Everything spotless, everything fine. But still it did it.

Then he noticed the pickup pipe in the tank was only half the length it should have been...