Hi everybody. I owned a Nissan Micra SE Auto 1.4 (K12) 2003. I am an foreign student who study in Belfast now. I bought this car on 15 October 2011 from a small dealer at £1600 with 34000miles. I plan to used it for only 1 year before I back to my country. I really love Micra, so I bought it although my budget was less than £1000. She was really a great car before today.
I went to class this morning as usual. But on the middle of road, the engine, oil and battery indicators appear and all the engine suddenly cut off. I had to stop in the middle of road and try to re-start it again. The light went of and I continue to drive. But after few minutes, it happen again. After few times doing this, the engine look like shaking when I stop at the red light. It getting more and more frequent, finally, I had to find a place to park my car and call for the RAC breakdown service. I wait for nearly 1 hr 45 minutes for the RAC mechanic to save me and my micra.
After he check the engine, he said might be the coil problem. But after he use some kind of electronic device to check the car, he told me it was the camshaft sensor. Since I do not know any mechanic in UK, he said there is a guy he know who might can help me replace a sensor. Then I hardly drive the poor micra to a mechanic at Lisburn Road.
The guy told me I had to pay £120 to replace the camshaft sensor. I nearly cry to hear that amount, but I have nothing can do. I do not know anybody here who can help me. I left my car for him and walk to my uni which is not too far away. Meanwhile, I try to search online about camshaft sensor since this is the first time I hear about this little thing. I am shock to see so many Micra owners have the same problem. I was afraid I am having the same timing chain problem which could cost me more than £500 that I really not able to afford. I don't want to waste more money on the camshaft sensor which will not solve the problem.
I wish that who is really expert in this problem can give me some advice. I really appreciate if you guys can help me with your experience and professional knowledge about cars. I know I need to find it out what the real problem with my car before I fixed it. Do anyone come from Belfast know any good and reasonable mechanic to help me check the problem. Is it possible to find a second hand timing chain which cost cheaper? I have no experience at all about car but is it possible for me to change it myself? If everything will cost more than £500, I might just sell it for parts. So sad to just thinking about that.
Thank you for reading my problem.
I went to class this morning as usual. But on the middle of road, the engine, oil and battery indicators appear and all the engine suddenly cut off. I had to stop in the middle of road and try to re-start it again. The light went of and I continue to drive. But after few minutes, it happen again. After few times doing this, the engine look like shaking when I stop at the red light. It getting more and more frequent, finally, I had to find a place to park my car and call for the RAC breakdown service. I wait for nearly 1 hr 45 minutes for the RAC mechanic to save me and my micra.
After he check the engine, he said might be the coil problem. But after he use some kind of electronic device to check the car, he told me it was the camshaft sensor. Since I do not know any mechanic in UK, he said there is a guy he know who might can help me replace a sensor. Then I hardly drive the poor micra to a mechanic at Lisburn Road.
The guy told me I had to pay £120 to replace the camshaft sensor. I nearly cry to hear that amount, but I have nothing can do. I do not know anybody here who can help me. I left my car for him and walk to my uni which is not too far away. Meanwhile, I try to search online about camshaft sensor since this is the first time I hear about this little thing. I am shock to see so many Micra owners have the same problem. I was afraid I am having the same timing chain problem which could cost me more than £500 that I really not able to afford. I don't want to waste more money on the camshaft sensor which will not solve the problem.
I wish that who is really expert in this problem can give me some advice. I really appreciate if you guys can help me with your experience and professional knowledge about cars. I know I need to find it out what the real problem with my car before I fixed it. Do anyone come from Belfast know any good and reasonable mechanic to help me check the problem. Is it possible to find a second hand timing chain which cost cheaper? I have no experience at all about car but is it possible for me to change it myself? If everything will cost more than £500, I might just sell it for parts. So sad to just thinking about that.
Thank you for reading my problem.
not purple lol