2001 Nissan Sentra SE 2.0 Liter: Might be timing belt or chain problem?

Question

145,000 km (90K mi approx) on my Nissan Sentra. Today, the "service engine soon" light was flashing, car was idling irregularly (& "missing"), and slow on acceleration. Dealership advised car cannot be driven. It's been towed for inspection tomorrow a.m., and I am concerned this might be timing belt/chain (which is it on the SE 2.0 liter model?). Car has been making ticking noise now for several months, & one mechanic advised it is the timing belt(?) (without doing anything more than listening to engine). Can this be a timing belt/chain issue? What else might I expect?

Answer 1

Your little car doesn't have a timing belt. It has a chain, and i would be VERY surprised if it failed this soon in the life of the engine.
The most common cause for a misfire for this little car are either defective plugs or wires, or a failure in the distributor (cam/crank sensor) or if it doesn't have a distributor, then the sensors themselves, or possibly contaminated fuel.
This should give you a bit of information to be able to speak intelligently with the repair facility.

Good Luck

Answer 2

232,000 miles is a lot for a Nissan Sentra. I know people who have driven Toyotas for 275,000 and 300,000; so, I imagine it is possible to do it with your car too. It depends a lot on how well maintained the car has been since the first owner. The timing belt and the tension wheel should have been replaced around 60 to 80K miles. You are pushing your luck. If it breaks, the engine will continue to run, the cams will stop turning, the valves will stop in their open and closed positions, then the pistons will punch the stuck open valves and either dent the top of the pistons or break them off in the top of the pistons, then the engine will stop completely; either way, you could be looking at a complete engine overhaul. If I were you, I'd sell the car and get another. If you decide to keep the car, you could rebuild the motor. Instead of rebuilding it, it may be cheaper to buy a rebuilt motor through the internet or a local parts store. If you have to buy an engine, make sure it comes with a warranty. Or find a totaled 2001 Nissan Sentra that has been hit in the rear end with low miles and put that engine in; but there is not a guarantee that it will work well. Good Luck

Answer 3

I am pretty sure you have a timing chain. They do not usually cause a problem except maybe the chain tensioner. More likely this is one of your engine sensors confusing the computer..MAP sensor.. Mass Air Flow Sensor, or Oxygen Sensor..among others. There is also the outside possibility of a failing electric fuel pump. (Have you changed your fuel filter lately). This can not be diagnosed without them testing it. These are great little cars and hopefully your repair is not major.

Answer 4

If the check engine light flashes before it comes on, and stays on constant, it means something has happened that has resulted in what is referred to as a class 'A' type missfire. This means that this type of missfire WILL result in catalytic converter damage, if it is not repaired NOW. In answer to your question, YES a timing belt or chain that has jumped a tooth is certainly one POSSIBILITY. Others include a bad spark plug(s), bad coil(s), broken valve spring only to name a few. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Sounds like you about to be ripped off. Listen to iron hand, he pretty sharp. Put scanner on it and find out what trouble codes are. Don't let nobody work on it that can't guarantee that the problem is what they think it is.
That tow job was the beginning, you being set up for major expense. Problem probably minor as ironhand suggests.

Answer 6

NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT CODE IS IN SELF DIAGNOSTICS .LIGHT ONLY FLASHES WHEN THERE COULD BE POSSIBLE CAYALYST DAMAGE .BETTER TO LET DEALERSHIP TECH CHECK IT OUT.THIS ENGINE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TIMING CHAIN ENGINE .