Coolant Loss and engine shudder when starting

[dphess]

I have a 2002 Altima 2.5S with 80K miles on and my service engine light just went on and the engine shudders upon startup. I also noticed that my coolant resivour is completely dry. I had a coolant flush and pressure test done in Jan 07 and they stated no leaks in the radiator and hoses at all, yet I still continue to loose coolant and the engine still shudders. Does this sound like the coolant is leaking back into the engine and am I headed for a blown head-gasket or is it already blown.. Need help ASAP

[nissandoc]

the reason you're not seeing coolant is because its leaking into the cylinder. usually #2 or #3. it will misfire on startup after sitting a while until it clears out the coolant.
run the engine and let it get hot, cut it off and wait 4-5 hours and then pull the spark plugs(dont start it beforehand). you should see the coolant sitting on top of the piston. headgasket time!

[dphess]

Originally Posted by nissandoc

the reason you're not seeing coolant is because its leaking into the cylinder. usually #2 or #3. it will misfire on startup after sitting a while until it clears out the coolant.
run the engine and let it get hot, cut it off and wait 4-5 hours and then pull the spark plugs(dont start it beforehand). you should see the coolant sitting on top of the piston. headgasket time!

What kind of cost am I am looking? and also should I replace the spark plugs and iginiton coil at the same time? I had the code ran at the time the service engine light came on and it said a bad iginition coil as well.

[nissandoc]

what exactly is the code? unless you get a p1320 ignition signal, you should'nt need a coil. usually you get a misfire code with this problem. plugs are supposed to be good until 105k. CHILTONS labor guide says 9.9 hrs labor. however i'm sure mr. chilton has never done one LOL. i find that to do it correctly you really need to pull the engine and trans. getting to timing cover off while in the car is a pain, so i just pull it. cost me some time but its worth it to me. i've done so many that i can have it on the ground in an hour. plus you'll have the cost of parts, oil and filter, coolant, etc,etc. labor rates vary from area to area. expect $70-$100 an hour. hope this helps.

[dphess]

From what I've been reading this sounds like a very commom problem with the 2002 Altima. I amm going to have it fixed by the end of the week. I travel 52 miles round trip for work so I need this car is great working order.. This is the only problem that I have had with the car since I bought it brand new in April 2002.. Thanks for your help. I was quoted one price so far at $900.

[suren]

I had the same problem last week. Turned out two seperate issues. First
get a loaner tool from Autozone and pressurize the cooling system and find
the leak. My radiator plastic tank had a crack. Also my spark plug no. 2
was bad, lower resistance.

I was thinking head gasket and thought that coolant was on plug. You may
want to check plug wires resistance and compare with other wires.

Your cooling and misfiring issues may not be related.

[dphess]

Originally Posted by suren

I had the same problem last week. Turned out two seperate issues. First
get a loaner tool from Autozone and pressurize the cooling system and find
the leak. My radiator plastic tank had a crack. Also my spark plug no. 2
was bad, lower resistance.

I was thinking head gasket and thought that coolant was on plug. You may
want to check plug wires resistance and compare with other wires.

Your cooling and misfiring issues may not be related.

I had a coolant flush and pressue test done in Jan. They told me there were no leaks at all in the hoses or readiator itself. I can sometime smell faint traces of coolant inside the car and also when I pull my car in the garage when getting home from work. I am stopping at Advanced Autoparts on the way home to find out what the error code is as a start. I know there is something wrong with the car.

I also check the Radiator when the car is cool and it's completely full but the plastic tank is bone dry. I added some to the tank last nigh when the car was cool, right now it's between the min and max lines.

[dphess]

Well I call the local Nissan Service Dept and decribe the issue exactly as I did here and they were more focused on the service engine light than me telling them the coolant tank is completely empty.. They want $75 just to run the code to see what the error code is. I can take it to Autozone or Advanced Auotparts and have the code run for free. I called two other garages and everyone focused on the service engine light rather than the coolant problem.

[suren]

You can take the car to autozone first and get the code and get the cooling
system tool at the same time. Leave car overnight cool and check radiator
and raditor cap next day.This tests will not cost you anything.

[dphess]

Originally Posted by suren

You can take the car to autozone first and get the code and get the cooling
system tool at the same time. Leave car overnight cool and check radiator
and raditor cap next day.This tests will not cost you anything.

Now yesterday when I leave work at 4:30pm, I start my car and noticed the service engine soon light has gone out and the car started up normally when I get home my Dad is at my house with my kids and could smell the coolant so we pop the hood and don't see anything coming from the hoses. Would a blown headgasket cause the smell of coolant or does this sound like a leak some where?

I have never used the tool to check the coolant system. How difficult is it to use?

[suren]

Autozone people will expalain on how to use it, but even kid can use it
and test both cap and radiator in just 1 minute.

[dphess]

Originally Posted by suren

Autozone people will expalain on how to use it, but even kid can use it
and test both cap and radiator in just 1 minute.

Well if I kid can use it, then I'll let my 5 yr son do the test then! LOL. Thanks, I'm pretty handy though, was just stating that I haven't done that test before.

I talked to the guy at Autozone last night and he thought it possibly could be the water pump and not a leak or headgasket?

What's puzzling is that I have gotten 4 different answers from the Nissan Service department and other garages. The Nissan Service department didn't seemed concerned that the coolant tank was empty?

[nissandoc]

Dphess! The Guy At Autozone Wants To Sell You A Water Pump! Your 5 Yr. Old Can Guess!. Read Post#4 Again And Do That. With The Plugs Out, Use A Flashlight And Look Down Into The Cylinder. If You See Any Liquid At All, The Headgasket Is Leaking. The Check Engine Light Is Most Likely A Result Of The Misfire On Startup.

[dphess]

Nissandoc,

You were right on the money. It's a blown headgasket for sure. I also have a bad ignition coil on cyclinder #2. My neighbor is a nissan mechanic and he doing the work for me at his garage for $400. He also replacing the plugs, timing belt and headgasket, ignition coil. along with the other gaskets while he's fixing the headgasket. The car is due for a timing belt anyway so I am getting it done in one day and he's even letting me borrow his car while he's fixing mine. The lowest estimate I got was $900.. I am getting it done this saturday..

[nissandoc]

Your Car Doesnt Have A Timing Belt. It Has A Chain And Usually Doesnt Need Replaceing. And You Got A Hell Of A Deal On The Price