2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL no start cold?

[N9QGS]

My friend has a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5SL with 47K. I have been assisting her with maintenance, and Im really interested in what she is reporting as the car wont start once a year and it takes like 30 minutes for it to start, I have done some research I know there is a known problem, some report it as a engine flooding issue that the compute sends the wrong codes. If this no start condition occurs, I askd that she calls me I want to see what its doing, and how she can tackel it so he is not sitting anywhere wondeirng how long its gonna be for it to start, Would it be safe to take if you took the plugs off they may be wet and reason for no start, I have not been able to understand if when she is trying to start the car if its just cranking with no signs of starting (like if you were to crank the car with the gas full prsed down where it cuts off the fuel injectors or if the car is trying to catch but not) can someone tell me what it does cause she doesnt seem to understand what im talking about. I was hoping to find video of this no start condition. Any input on best action to take when this happens, I also told her if it does happen to just if she can take another car and then I will look at it later in that day, will it still have the problem or is it self correcting just sitting for 2 to 3 hours? Any information is appreciated. The only thing I have noticed since I have been doing maintenance and Im going to watch this closer was her oil went down from the F point which I put it at to about 1/4 on the L to F area on the dipstick. Im going to watchthe oil to see, this change seemed to be something I have not experienced in any of my vehicles she said she has never had any leaks, so Im gonna watch to see if it goes down over the next oil change, Im suspecting a slight burning of oil, does anyone recommend to havethe oil analyzed, would this tell anything? And can someone recommend a place that analyzes, I thought there was one that was with a Black something. Thanks again, Ron

PS Is there anyway to put the car in the best condition to cause this no start condition, that if its is a cold day, something we can do to make it happen, so I can have the highest opportunity to be there and experience it from the start? the last time it happened she drove to chicago 7 hours, her car sat outside it was well below 32, she didnt drive it for 2 days, and it woudn't start.

[Nick240sx]

just a quick suggestion, space your writing apart, make some brief paragraphs so its easier to follow. Im not trying to bash or anything, just makes for a smoother read.

As far as the issue that is concerned i have no knowledge towards it. You have two very odd issues.

[SSlimShagy89]

I have the same problem in the cold weather. I thought I was the only one but one of my friends has the same problem too. Both of us take really good care of our altima's so apparently its just a trait.

[evenplayn]

In real cold weather, trouble starting is normal for the 02 altima and harmless.

I don't mean to scare you, BUT, I had a similar series of events (first trouble starting, then using oil and coolant).

Turns out a bad pre-catalyst destroyed my engine. The car has been sitting at the dealer for 6 weeks now and just found out yesterday that I won my fight against Nissan NA and they are paying for a new engine.

Make sure the recalls have been done, specifically one from 2003 for the Crank Position Sensor.

Good luck