Nissan Repair: 1996 Nissan Maxima, fuel pressure gauge, crank angle sensor

Question
QUESTION: Hi, i have a 1996 Nissan maxima, which i have problems starting on some mornings. Engine turns over but just wont start, removed spark plugs and found to be flooded with fuel. Car will eventually start after a couple of hours.  Problem first occured about a year ago, checked engine codes and crank angle sensor fault was listed. Replaced both crank sensors as there are two, ran fine for a year now fault has returned. Error code shows crank angle sensor again, but this doesnt seem right to me to have the sensors break down again after only one year, and which are now no longer covered by warranty. Would you have any ideas to help me with this, it would be greatly appreciated.
thanks.

ANSWER: David,

If the codes are back for the crank angle sensors the ones you bought are probably from the defective lot that was out there for years.  Yes, I have had the problem too with defective sensors not being destroyed.  Nissan usually purges their inventory but the aftermarket is known for selling suspect parts.  I would replace them.  Also, check the fuel pressure and the fuel pressure regulator to make sure the regulator is good and you do not have any leaky injectors using a fuel pressure gauge.  Turn the key on and check the fuel pressure and then turn the key off.  The fuel pressure should not drop quickly and should stay for a minute or so.  Now, with the vehicle started, disconnect the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator and see if the pressure picks up.  If it does fine.  But, if it does not change replace the fuel pressure regulator.  A Haynes Manual is excellent for information on this and other tests and values as well as procedures for doing functional tests.

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QUESTION: Hi again one thing i forgot to mention in my first question was that i was told when it doesnt start to pour hot water over the drivers side of the engine towards the front pretty much vertical to where the oil filter is, and i found doing this will start the car, is there any explanation for this. And with he defective sensors i actually brought them from a nissan dealer could it be possible they still have defective ones. thanx for your time

Answer
David,

If the car requires hot water be poured on the engine would lead me to think the temperature sensor need to be replaced.  This is the one that the computer uses for sensing the temperature for cold start mode. I would replace the temperature sensor for cold start.  This is the sensor that tells the computer when the engine is cold and not the one that feeds information to the temperature gauge.