Nissan Repair: 98 Nissan Sentra GXE stopped running, blown head gasket, nissan sentra gxe

Question
I have a 98 Nissan Sentra GXE with just over 215,000 miles. Today driving to work, the engine lost power, the check engine light start flashing, regain power for a moment, then stopped. Coasted to the side of the road, the engine turns over and cranks and cranks then finally starts, runs a little rough then shuts right back off. Any insight on what I can expect my auto repair guy to tell me? What if it turns out to be a low compression issue..what would that indicate? The engine had been running fine up until now. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Bob -

Seems like a fuel issue to me. Possibly the fuel pump is going.

I don't think you have a compression problem unless the car overheated. Low compression means either a blown head gasket or valves, usually caused when the engine overheats badly.

Have you replaced your timing belt recently?

Hope this helps!
aloha
calvin