# Unable to start my Nissan Altima

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/unable-to-start-my-nissan-altima/93935>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** nissan, altima\
**Created:** [July 20, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unable-to-start-my-nissan-altima/93935 "2016-07-20T20:10:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unable-to-start-my-nissan-altima/93935/6 "2016-11-04T16:40:23Z")

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> [@Shihan](#):
>
> I am being told that the head gasket might be blown and that on the Nissan Altima that is the death nell for that car

A blown head gasket _CAN_ be the death knell for any car. The Altima is not unique in that respect.  
The ultimate question, therefore, is…How long ago did the head gasket become breached?  
If it was breached a while ago and you have been driving it in that condition, then it is indeed possible that the engine’s lubricating oil was diluted with coolant, and as a result bearings, piston rings, and cylinder walls in the engine were damaged. Or, if the breach was of very recent origin, it is possible that the engine has survived major damage.

However, if the engine turns over but doesn’t start, I have to suspect that there is inadequate compression in the engine as a result of major internal damage, and if that turns out to be the case then you have to decide whether to get a replacement engine from a junkyard, or to ditch the car.

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