1992 Sentra not starting

Hello,

I have a 92 Sentra that suddenly decided not to start. I had left the car sitting for a few days and when I went to move it it turns over but won't start. I added some gas and water removal additive (its been raining alot) I checked for spark at one plug and it looked like good fire. I pulled the fuel line off the top of the fule filter and it shot fuel when I hit the key. That's all I know to check.. Any ideas? also how can I tell if the timing chain broke? That was one person's sugestion. Thanks..

Yup, I agree with Wilshak -- it could easily be those things. A cracked cap will cause moisture to enter and you'd have exactly what you are describing.

I don't think the timing belt is broken because you are getting a spark: You'd only get a spark if the rotor is turning and if it is turning your belt is not broken. It might have jumped a couple of teeth, though. You'd still get a spark, but your timing would be wrong and the car may not start.

Make sure you have a spark at all four cylinders. Also make sure your spark plugs are indeed ok - it is unlikely that all four decided to stop working properly at the same time, but check it anyway. If it has been a while, perhaps replace cap, rotor, wires and plugs.

It could also be that your car is flooded and that can be a had condition to get out of. To check this, remove the fuel pump fuse and start the car. If it eventually starts and stops, it was flooded. Replace the fuse, press the gas pedal half way and start the car. It should start now.

Sometimes the computer gets very confused when it doesn't start . It makes adjustments based on not starting and takes a little help to get it going again. In that case, spray ether or starting fluid in the air intake. Spray for around 5 seconds and start the car normally.

Hope you get it running soon. Remco

"remcow" wrote in news:899rd.138$ snipped-for-privacy@fe10.lga:

It must have been the moisture. I put a heat lamp on it all day and it fired up this evening. It did act as if it was flooded as well. Thanks for the tips..

Great! - Glad to hear there's no expense attached. You may want to replace the distributor cap if it hasn't been replaced recently - that is a common way for moisture to get in if they are cracked. Cracks can be really small and almost invisible.

Have a good one! Remco