My truck has died, what do you think it is!

[atomic-fly]

Poll question: My truck has died, what do you think it is!

It is a 1998 Nissan Frontier, 160k miles.
Started running rough this morning and then totally died in a parking lot.
Will turn over, but not combust.

Take a guess, I'm getting it towed in the morning.

[MrScorpio]

1. No national single payer health care system

[nickgutierrez]

2. It needs a tax cut. n/t

[DS1]

3. Gay Marriage killed it

[MajorChode]

4. The ignition system is easy enough to check

Just pull one of the spark plugs out, plug it back in to the wire, hand it to a friend that's not very smart, and crank the engine over a few times. If he screams like hell it's probably a fuel related problem.

[OmahaBlueDog]

14. ROFLMAO!

Thanks for that

[flvegan]

5. Susan Boyle's makeover ruined it.

[no name no slogan]

6. Other: those meddling kids

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. It's the Fan-belt peramealator, or the fourth gear framnobulator

Either way, we're looking at about $300 just to find the problem, and another $1500 to fix, plus cost of shipping those parts over, which is gonna be pricey, cuz you can't just UPS one of those fuckers, you know what I'm saying, they gotta be hand-delivered, and you're in luck cuz I have a brother who sells those and he sends his deliveries out every day at - what time is it? 1 pm? That's great - about 1:15, so you gotta tell me right now so I can call him, but that's gonna be at least $750 so decide now, cuz he don't deliver for another 6 days.

[atomic-fly]

8. this is more complicated than I thought...

thanks for all the tips!

[travelingtypist]

9. You don't say -- is it a stick or an automatic?

If it's a stick, did you try to pop it?

[quickesst]

10. Most likel;y the fuel pump..

..sounds like it anyway. Bad new is, it's probably located in the gas tank. It's your choice of fixes. Drop the fuel tank, take the truck bed off for easier access, or pay someone, dearly. Thanks.
quickesst

[Kali]

11. out of gas?

fuel filter,
fuel pump

[Inchworm]

20. Seconded

That's my first guess anywho.

:hi:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. Needs Viagra-C

Combustability formula.

Could be a bad fuel injector?

[OmahaBlueDog]

13. This is like Bill Frist offering a diagnosis from the Senate floor

Runs rough, then died & will turn over means probably not a timing chain/belt.

1) out of gas?
2) fuel filter?
3) fuel pump?
4) water in the gas line (did you drive through any major water)?
5) electrical system/computer (most likely the coils - most likely not the wires/plugs) (could be a looseniing wite to something electrical that finally worked free)
6) blown head gasket
7) more nefarious stuff (cracked head, etc. )

Anything 1-5, keep the truck and fix'er up (Hell, you should get another 90K miles)

5-7, depends on how bad, your financial situation, and the options they offer you.

[LostInAnomie]

15. SkyNet has come online.

Ready yourself for war against the machines.

[LeftyMom]

16. It's Midlo's fault.

[MilesColtrane]

17. Did you replace the timing chain at 100k miles?

[atomic-fly]

30. i thought chains didn't need replacing?...no i didn't,

[MilesColtrane]

43. If your truck has a 4 cylinder engine, the timing chains are good for the life of the engine.

The chain/belt on a 6 cylinder engine is supposed to be replaced at 100,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. (This according to the Haynes manual.)

The fact that you heard rattling clanking from the engine compartment may add credence to the timing belt theory.
However, since replacement is a relatively expensive proposition, I'd have your mechanic rule out any other, simpler cause.

[Jamastiene]

18. Something might be clogging the fuel injectors.

Buy some STP fuel injector cleaner.
Add it to the gas tank.
Gently rock the truck forward and backward or just sort of bounce it. (Shaken, not stirred)
Switch gears from park to neutral and back to park 2 times.

Try to crank it again.

If it still will not crank, but it is making the telltale noise that your battery and starter are doing their jobs, give it gas while you turn the switch and keep trying until it cranks. I mean give it some major gas while you are trying to crank it. If you flood it, you are no worse off and you can un-flood a vehicle anyhow.

If it cranks when you try that, it's definitely either your fuel injectors are dirty, your fuel pump is going out, or you have water in your gas tank.

Afterwards, got get your fuel pump checked and/or changed.

If you don't hear any telltale signs that the starter is kicking in, it's either the starter or the battery.

[Rhythm]

19. You forgot to feed your fornits?

oops... my bad. That's typewriters, not trucks! :blush:




:hide:

[City of Mills]

21. I have the same problem

I managed to get it going though, my truck dies in random places. Runs fine, I park and go about my business, come back out and it turns over but doesn't start running. It's probably the fuel pump going, but at the same time I don't want to pay $700 just to find out it's something else.

So far, I've been towed twice in the past month. Last time, they found a fuel leak (one of my fuel lines had been poorly patched) and they found air in the fuel line, purged and the truck started up. Whether or not that's the ultimate cause of my problems, I don't know. If I get stranded again, I will probably have to get the fuel pump replaced.

[M155Y_A1CH]

22. Was it bogging down ?

When you say running rough, I'm not sure what you mean. Was it losing power like a lack of fuel or was it bucking and shuddering like a vacuum leak or, was it spitting and putting under load like one non-firing cylinder?

[atomic-fly]

31. started hear excessive noise under truck....

not bucking, just rough, rattling noise. I thought my manifold went bad at first.

[M155Y_A1CH]

47. Look for something loose

If you are lucky it's something external and you can locate the problem by yanking stuff around and looking for odd movement. I would start with the rotating assembly run by the belt(s). Maybe have someone crank the engine while you look at the accessories on each belt and assure that they are all able to turn at the pulley. If the engine can't turn up to speed it will not want to start.A dragging water pump or alternator can prevent starting and make a hell of a racket.
If it is an internal problem, be prepared for a major repair.

[AngryAmish]

23. You should have bought a Mac

[atomic-fly]

32. tru dat!

[SoxFan]

24. Flux Capacitor

[atomic-fly]

33. i upgraded that last year to run on rotting lettuce

[OmahaBlueDog]

38. Could you send me the web link. I want a Mr. Fusion, too

[LynneSin]

25. This is my 2cents for anyone who owns and old dilapidated car...

I once had a coworker who was SHOCKED I was putting $1500 worth of repairs into an old Pontiac Grand Am that had 100k mile on it (btw I was the original owner on it). Her mentality was it was a down payment on a new car - why not just buy something new.

Of course she was head over heels in debt whereas I was trying to make ends meet on a fulltime waitressing job and a few odd jobs like bookkeeping at a restaurant where I worked with this woman.

I told her this - About every year I spend about $500/average keeping my car maintained for on the road and about every 2-3 years a big bill like this will come along. Thing is, I'll fix this car and it'll run like a champ for another 2-3 years.

I buy a new car, I'll have to pay $300/month that I can't afford along with increase insurance premiums. That's about $3600 a year vs. $500-1500 keeping my clunker on the road. Oh, did I mention I liked my clunker too. I had that clunker for another 4 years - finally the transmission gave out at 160k miles and my family and I all agreed that it was time to move on with a new car. Between some money that was coming from my family and a few dollars I had squired away I was able to buy one of those Certified pre-owned cars and had that for 120k miles. Oh and I didn't have any car payments with that one.

I now have an 8 year old Toyota with 85K miles on it (I live 2 miles from where I work so I'm not putting alot of high miles on it) - I'll drive that thing as long as it holds out and every 2-3 years I'm sure a big bill will come around. I could probably afford a $300/month car payment but I have to park my car on the street and with the dings I get stuck with all the time (had to replace a hit/run headlight about 6 months ago), I'd rather just stick with the junker car I have now.

So find out what's wrong with the car - my mentality is this - if it's not the engine or transmission - then get it fixed and keep running it. Once you start having to fix the big items like engine or transmission then it's time to get a new junker!

[atomic-fly]

34. agree...will try to keep it going.

It's been a good truck, no work done except oil and brake pads.

[datasuspect]

26. you can turn about 1,000,000 miles on a kenworth

[Pierre.Suave]

27. I am going to go against the grain and say

timing chain.

[atomic-fly]

35. would it still turn over with timing chain gone?

[One_Life_To_Give]

42. Depends on the motor

Some will have major damage while others won't. Not sure about your specific model. I had a 73 351C do the same when the timing chain slipped a couple of teeth. Now I must point out that without further diagnosis it "Could" be other things that are cheaper and simpler to replace.

[Pierre.Suave]

44. It might

just not very well, and, if it is the timing chain, destroy a lot of other things such as the valvetrain and pistons...

[old mark]

28. Timing chain. It will stretch, then break, causing a wonderful variety

of horribly expensive major damage to the engine. If it is the timing chain, clean the good stuff out of the glove compartment and put the entire truck in the trash.
Good luck.
mark

[OmahaBlueDog]

37. But then it wouldn't turn over -- in the conventional sense

You'll turn the key and get a high pitched whirr instead of ruh-ruh-ruh-ruh

[no name no slogan]

29. Otro: dead truck syndrome

No known cure, sadly.

[atomic-fly]

36. it has been towed...hopefully

haven't heard anything yet. Will post when i do!
thanks for the lively feedback!

[OmahaBlueDog]

39. What's the diagnosis?

[ForrestGump]

40. It's a large vehicle, with a cargo space in back,

but that's not important right now.

And don't call me Shirley.

[guitar man]

41. it's trying to inspire you

...to write a country song :P

[atomic-fly]

45. and the verdict is.....

Engine is totally trashed! Wanted 4k for installing a new engine.
I'm giving it to my brother, he is good at fixing things and needs something to do.
Kind of sad to give up the ole truck.

[Kali]

46. too bad

160K on a nissan is only about half its life.

[atomic-fly]

48. i thought so too...

body still looks great. I'm getting a Honda Civic with 90k tommorow, but it
will be weird not having a truck.

[Chemical Bill]

50. So it was the timing chain?

Nissans do that. Toyotas and Subies break the belts and it's not that big a deal. I'm not sure about Hondas.

Bill

[bluedigger]

51. That seems a little pricey.

You took it to a dealer service center and they quoted you for a new out of the crate motor, didn't they? If you really like the truck, find an independant mechanic and look for a used motor. I had a VW and the dealer told me the same thing - they didn't want to sell me a motor, they wanted to sell me a new car. Found a guy who kept it running another year before I dumped it. Maybe your brother can help, and you can give him the other car in payment...

[rug]

49. Swine flu.

[av8rdave]

52. It's still a truck