04 sentra 1.8 idles rough for 5 seconds on cold start

[greenkeeper]

Just purchased a 04 sentra 1.8 w 60k miles for my daughter. On colder mornings the car idles rough for about 5 seconds on cold starts, then idles perfectly.. NOt real rough, but you can hear it and feel it. Sounds and feels more like it's running rich than a injector sticking to me, but im no mechanic. I am mechanically inclined but not a know it all . Warm starts are not an issue. After 5 or so seconds idles smooth. It does this maybe 2 outta 3 times in the mornings. This has not been a big issue.

Saturday my daughter called me and said car would not start. She said sounds like it want's to start, but wont. I instructed her to take the key out of ignition, make sure it was in park and retry. I Instructed her to turn the key to the run position for a few seconds b4 hitting the starter. Still would not start. We did this several times. So, I came home and tried to start it. It would almost start but wouldn't. After trying to start it about 8 -10 times, I pushed the accelerator to the floor, and turned it over until it started. Took about 5 , 7 10 seconds but started. As soon as it reved up and blew out, idled and runs perfectly. Sounded like it was flooded. The car has only done this 1 time. I instructed her what to do as I did if it happens again.

Car fax shows every oil change at 3k or less miles or less. Also, every recommended service performed for anything and everything at all intervals along the way. In other words it has been serviced as recommended by Nissan to a T. All work has been performed by a Nissan dealership. Can any one help me?

Thx Chris

[sx moneypit]

Sounds like you could have a bad engine coolant temperature sensor.Have you had the car scanned for codes?

[greenkeeper]

Thx Ben,

I spoke to my master cert. mechanic (who is a good friend) shortly after I posted this. He owns his own place. He said most likely a coolant temp sensor, or air temp sensor. So, you guys concur. He also said that we will need to scan it when cold since it might show ok when warm or hot. Something about being a bad spot on the sensor or resistor. So, I gotta leave it over night I guess.
Yes, I took to him and scanned b4 I purchased. No codes. Of course the dealership could have cleared them and just not enough mileage to throw a code. I doubt they did any thing like that though. Since they went over it w a fine tooth comb and did the servicing for 60k interval. Brakes, new belt, etc.... Dont think they have anything to hide since it's a cream puff. \

Thx for the help. I am pretty good mechanic, just dont have a scanner. I go see him, pay him his fee if he chgs me and replace my self if it's easy to get to.

Thx, Chris

[sx moneypit]

Keep us posted on this.

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