Need Help?

2003 Nissan Altima Base 4dr Sedan Manual

2003 Nissan Altima
Trim Info:
Front Wheel Drive, 4 Door Sedan, Compact
23 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy
Other Trims
Do you own this car?
Estimated Mileage
 Miles
Enter current mileage for most
accurate info about this vehicle


Track Your Service Records
Get Recall Alerts
Get Updated Value Estimates on Your Car.
back to question list

Ask the Community

Ask Our Auto Mechanics


February 6, 2013, 7:34 am

Robert R
 

Question: Rough idle on cold start

I've noticed on some cold mornings I'll start my 02 Altima (starts right away) and it will idle roughly like it's misfiring (SES light blinks). It eventually smooths out when warmed up. Everything I'm reading seems to indicate a failing head gasket, but I'm not seeing any of the other signs (i.e. coolant loss, "milky" looking oil, coolant on cylinder heads, etc.). What else could it be?


February 17, 2013, 11:34 pm

Richard W
Expert Mechanic

You could have a leaking injector. Or it's time for a tune up. With a scan tool it will tell you which cylinder you are having trouble with. So I would get a scan tool or have a shop look at it.


0/0 users found this helpful.

Ask our panel of certified auto mechanics a question. We pay for their advice so you don't have to



My Auto Score

See the free AutoCheck score

Meet The Experts
Kim Perrin
Kim Perrin is our resident mechanic here at DriverSide. Kim worked as…
Tyler Orr
Tyler Orr is an expert in German and Japanese cars and has been a mechanic …
Elizabeth Kriesten
Elizabeth Kriesten worked as an automotive technician for several years at Dodge…
Tips on Servicing

Car Brakes: How Do You Know When to Change Them?

By Zach Bowman For those who suffer a daily commute through heavy traffic, your vehicle's braking system can bring thousands of pounds of metal, plastic and empty Starbucks cups to a stop hundreds of times before you get to work. It goes without saying that these pieces wear out, but they do so slowly, meaning you may not notice they need attention until ...

Read more…