SO my baby is hard to start and getting worse. crank for >5 seconds, doesn't turn over. keep cranking, try the gas and sometimes it catches, sometimes it keeps cranking with nothing. when it finally turns over, a plume of white spews out the exhaust.
no CEL but ghost code for knock sensor (new one on the way -thanks EBAY)
cleaned throttle body even though it was cleaned last year. cleaned K&N filter in stock box. new battery. inspected plugs (35k on NGK iridiums). tried waiting for fuel line to fully pressurize before cranking. nothing seems to help
what now?
ant other tricks to try to figure this out?
i don't have a multimeter, so i can't test resistance of sensors or coils or anything.
HELP! it's just a matter of time before it won't start at all.

 

I had the same problem and it only gets worse it threw a code for a cam sensor because the starter was no spinning fast enough got the starter rebuilt and that didnt help bought a new starter and it started right up, maybe you could try a junk yard or see if one of your maxima buddies will let you try theres. there is only three bolts 15-20 minutes tops -Brando

 

I had the same problem and it only gets worse it threw a code for a cam sensor because the starter was no spinning fast enough got the starter rebuilt and that didnt help bought a new starter and it started right up, maybe you could try a junk yard or see if one of your maxima buddies will let you try theres. there is only three bolts 15-20 minutes tops -Brandon

 

I dont know how in the he11 I posted that twice but I guess I did. Oh well I guess you can read it twice

 

ok then next question
new, used, or rebuilt? whadda ya'll think
I saw used for as low as $20 on Car-part.com

 

Do it yourself. Remove the starter, clean all the old gummy nasty grease out and re-grease. Takes 1hr tops if you are **** like me and get every bit of old grease out. Costs about $1.00 for the grease.

 

what u'mean (_8*(l)Homer ?
i took off the starter last fall during clutch replacement, but didn't inspect inside.
is it obvoius where the grease should and shouldn't be? i mean, there's electrical stuff in there.
electricity scares me sometimes- i have more failures than successful operations with electrical components.

 

I had the same problem too, but now my car does not start. In my case, the starter was inspected and turned out to be fine. Checked battery & cables, ignition, fuel injection, but it still the same. Ended up opening up the engine and found out that, as mechanic said, "valves are bend", so I'm afraid that I'll be looking for another engine soon. I guess bring your car to the shop ASAP so they can make computer diagnostics of your engine to make sure thats its fine.