Hello,
I recently bought a used 1993 Nissan Altima as a daily driver. Yesterday, when I tried to fire it up, a huge cloud of black smoke came out of the exhaust and the car made this horrible sound.
The car does not start anymore. When I try to start it, all I hear is this click/knocking sound in the engine bay area.
If anyone can help me out as to what this might be I'd greatly appreciate it!
Thanks!
John McElroy
Might've slipped a cog on one of the timing chains (this car has an upper and a lower). The upper chain tensioner is operated by oil pressure and can freeze up if the oil passage gets clogged. There was also a problem on this engine with the chain guides (both upper and lower) disintegrating.
If your problem is the upper chain, it can be easily repaired. The lower is a major job. However - quit trying to crank it. You're probably smacking valves into piston heads.
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