Nissan Repair: 2000 frontier will not start., mass air flow sensor, mass air flow

Question
QUESTION: Have a 2000 Frontier with a 3.3 liter V6. At first it would be running and it would just die and you would have to turn the engine over for a while before it would start. Sometimes you would have to let it sit for a while before it would start. I replaced fuel filter, air filter, oil and filter, all new spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap and rotor button. Started truck it ran for about 10 minutes and then died and will not restart. There has been a time or two that I have tried to start it and it will run for about 10 seconds and then die and not restart till following day. I also replaced the Mass air flow sensor but this did not help. When the engine was running you could not tell anything was wrong so I do not think it has skipped timing.

ANSWER: Nathan,

Check the fuel pressure since it appears that you might have a defective fuel pump or fuel pump relay.  Second, the ignition could be an issue if it is not getting spark.  Pull a plug wire and see if you are getting spark by inserting a paper clip into the end and then holding it a quarter of an inch from the block while someone cranks the vehicle.  You are looking to see if the engine has spark.  Let me know what you find and we'll go from there.  It is a 2000 so you could pull the codes if you had a reader.  Email me back.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok I have checked my fuel pressure and pump/relay they are ok. I drained my fuel tanks and installed new fuel, this did not help. I have now pulled the front cover and found the truck is out of time. I replaced the timing belt in which did not look bad. I have found after I installed the timing belt and turned the crank several revolutions the timing marks are not staying lined up with marks on the belt. After turning about 8 revolutions the marks are 4 pins from there original set marks on the cams looks like the crank is off also. I am confused.

Answer
Nathan,

Check after two revolutions that the timing points line up at the points on the crank and pulleys.  If they line up the marks are not an issue.  The ones on the mechanicals have to line up.  I use Nissan belts for this reason.  Aftermarket timing belts are a pain in the butt.  That is just my opinion.