Nissan Pulsar Engine Problems

When new Nissan claimed the 1.6-litre would do around 8.0 L/100 km and the 2.0-litre around 9.0 L/100 km, so the fuel consumption of your car is a little higher than it should be based on those numbers. But you have to consider your driving conditions, the terrain, the condition of the car, and the fact that the engine is now worn. Check the fuel and ignition systems to make sure all is well with them, I would also check the compression and make sure it’s on the mark as well.

It is probably a leaking head gasket, a known problem with the Pulsar, and it shouldn't be difficult to repair. Once it's repaired the car should drive as well as ever, and you could keep on driving it as long as you like.

I would top it up and watch it for a week or two. If it drops substantially then take it back and have it checked, but if all was well before the service there’s no reason to think anything has happened during the service to change that. Trying to prove the mechanic didn’t top it up properly is too difficult to attempt. If you’re unhappy with him go somewhere else next time.

Catalytic converters do fail, they operate in a harsh environment in the exhaust system, and so it's not surprising that they do on occasions fail. I had one recently myself, and it was nothing to do with E10 fuel, the car has never had E10 fuel in it, but it was 10 years old and that was acceptable life. One thing I did discover at the time was that dealers and exhaust system shops I checked charged like the proverbial wounded buffalo, and simply replaced the old converter with a new one off the shelf, whereas a mechanic who specializes in the brand of car I drive was able to fix it for a tenth of the cost of the factory part. Shop around and you could save heaps.

I'D EXPECT it do 8.5-9.5 litres/100km around town, a little less on the highway. Check the spark plugs and leads to make sure they are in top shape and replace if necessary. Change the air filter if it hasn't been changed in a while. Run fuel-system cleaner through it, and take the car for a long run on the highway, with some hard acceleration to blow out accumulated carbon in the engine. The engine could also be down on compression, so check that too.

MY INFORMATION says the Pulsar GL has single-point fuel-injection, not a carburetor, so I'm not sure what adjustments the mechanic made. I would be checking the electronic sensors, specifically the oxygen sensor, that control the air/fuel ratio.

THE Pulsar is generally a solid, reliable small car, but I have had one or two reports of head-gasket trouble. Because there were only one or two reports, you couldn't say it was a widespread issue.

The fuel gauge is an indicator of how much fuel is in the tank, but shouldn't be taken too seriously. It's there so you don't run out of petrol. Checking your fuel economy is easy. Simply fill your tank and reset your trip meter, then drive the car for a week or so until it needs refilling, refill it and record the distance you've driven. Divide the kilometres driven by the litres needed to refill the tank and you have your economy in km/litre.

IT'S NOT a common problem. Have an auto electrician check it for a leak that might cause the battery to drain.

NISSAN service specialist Jerry Newman says he has never had a problem with the N15 cylinder head cracking, and reckons the $3500 cost to replace it is high. Because it has happened again so soon after replacing the head, and assuming the people who fitted the replacement head are reputable, I would look further for the cause of your problem. Consider a sticking thermostat, a leaking radiator or hoses, or incorrect coolant.