About a month after I had crankshaft position sensors and camshaft position sensors replaced, the Altima failed to start at my home. The engine spun freely, as if there was no compression or resistance. Sounded like the timing belt had slipped or broken. I had the car towed to my trusted mechanic who immediately said that's what it appeared to them. They confirmed it was an "interference engine", which meant that a broken/slipped timing chain likely would ruin the engine by bending valves, etc.
They removed the valve covers, manually turned the engine over, checked the valves, timing and chain, and did a compression test. There was no apparent problem or damage, so they reassembled engine and it started. Ran perfectly and has since! My question is what caused this, and when will it do this again?
About a month after I had crankshaft position sensors and camshaft position sensors replaced, the Altima failed to start at my home. The engine spun freely, as if there was no compression or resistance. Sounded like the timing belt had slipped or broken. I had the car towed to my trusted mechanic who immediately said that's what it appeared to them. They confirmed it was an "interference engine", which meant that a broken/slipped timing chain likely would ruin the engine by bending valves, etc.
They removed the valve covers, manually turned the engine over, checked the valves, timing and chain, and did a compression test. There was no apparent problem or damage, so they reassembled engine and it started. Ran perfectly and has since! My question is what caused this, and when will it do this again?
- John C., St. Louis, MO, US