Hi, we have a 52 Reg Nissan Almera Tino which has been causing us some big problems since earlier this year. On starting the engine, it can sometimes take up to 60 seconds before the engine will turn over. When it does start, clouds of white smoke come from the exhaust. When the car is started, it runs perfectly. The problem appears to be particularly bad if cold/damp/wet. One thing that we have realised (and this explains why we've been able to be so lazy about fixing the problem...) is that if the car is parked facing downhill, it starts first time. This is becoming less reliable though as the weather gets wetter and colder..

If the information helps, on one occassion when I phoned the AA to start it, he 'manually primed' the fuel pump (?) and it started straight away. It has been to 3 different garages (including a main Nissan Dealership) none of whom have been much help. The glow plugs have been changed (no difference). Despite several diagnostic tests the best advice we can get is that it MIGHT need a new fuel pump. They quoted us over £2k to get this fixed - considering the car only cost us 3,000, this isn't a descision we can make lightly.

Where do we go from here? Sell it? Fix it? Is there such a thing as a reconditioned fuel pump? How likely is it that it is the fuel pump? Please help, any advice would be gratefully appreciated... We're seriously considering webuyanycar.com!!!

Regards :-)