1985 NISSAN SENTRA
210,000 MILES
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I've got an '85 Sentra 5 speed, 4 cylinder, gasoline engine, with 210,000 miles. I was driving tonight, going about 30mph, when all of a sudden I started hearing a grinding noise coming from under the hood, it started getting louder, and then the engine died. I pulled over and opened the hood, and nothing seemed unusual or out of place. Radiator fluid was low, and I have had a slow and small leak in the radiator lately, but the oil was full and just changed last week. I tried starting it again after about 5 minutes, and the starter was turning over, with plenty of voltage, but it wasn't turning over the engine, and there were weird clicking and light grinding noises. I left it sit. My immediate thought was that maybe the timing belt or chain snapped...I'm not well versed on this, especially changing one of those if that's the case. Also, I don't see why, if for example, it overheated with no warning light, the engine wouldn't at least turn over...Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Feb 19, 2013 at 6:39 AM
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RASMATAZ
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Remove the distributor cap and have helper crank engine over: Is the rotor turning? If not sounds like a timing belt problem-investigate further
Feb 19, 2013 at 7:19 AM