[suingincentix]

Just spoke to my mum and she has said there was a burny smell which went away by the end of the journey?
I havent noticed any misfires.

[Uojeyak]

I do have alot of moisture/vapour from the exhaust even in not so cold weather, the water from the pipe is just water not oily or sweet.
Cars used for short trips.

Its not uncommon for cars to smoke with water vapor for quite a while in this cold weather. 15 to 20 minutes on some cars depending on how much vapor has condensed in the exhaust system since it was last run. Cars that aren't run long enough to get the exhaust system fully hot will often smoke all day long because the vapor is never burned off. It takes a while for the exhaust pipes to heat up even if the engine reaches running tempurature.

[Dvjkefdw]

What do you mean by the starter turns but the engine doesn't?
If the starter sounds like it's operating normally - making a nice loud whirr - and the engine is definitely not turning over - checked by someone watching it, then the fault is 95% likely to be the sprag, one way clutch on the drive pinion slipping.
The other 5% would be a stripped flywheel or pinion.
Pre-engaged starters move the pinion into mesh BEFORE the solinoid is activated, so that rules out some of the ideas presented.

However, if the engine isa ctually turning over slowly on the starter, it could be a number of other factors - remember that winter driving is very hard on batteries as a/ the thicker engine oil and resistance is harder to turn, b/ a cold battery can supply less current and/or have a greater voltage drop, c/ in Winter there is a greater load on the charging circuit due to running the lights more, demisters, seat heaters, etc, and slower driving usually neans the engine alternator is running slower.
Normal fully charged battery has a voltage of 13.2 Volts, if yours is lower, it isn't getting a full charge and, over time, it will accept less cahrge and the viscious circle continues.

[suingincentix]

My brother came around with his car and jump leads, but even with the jump leads it took a very long time to fire up and after flooring the throttle.
At idle the voltage was 14.5v on the battery terminals so i would say the alternator is ok?

Battery looks like a crappy old generic one so if i have a problem starting the car again it looks like im gonna go buy a new one.

[Uojeyak]

My brother came around with his car and jump leads, but even with the jump leads it took a very long time to fire up and after flooring the throttle.
At idle the voltage was 14.5v on the battery terminals so i would say the alternator is ok?

Battery looks like a crappy old generic one so if i have a problem starting the car again it looks like im gonna go buy a new one.

Umm...Go buy a battery now. If the car started on jumper cables and its making 14.5v. The alternator could be weak, the only way to truly know is a load test. A car engine doesn't demand much of the alternator at idle with no accessories on.

You definitely need a battery. The fact that it started with jumper cables means that your starting system is fine.

[suingincentix]

Yeah gonna get a new battery, car hasnt been serviced since we got it which was 3 years ago and its a ten year old car now so i gonna also get some things to service it, i need to make a list of whats needed

Engine oil
oil filter
air filter
petrol filter
spark plugs
Fuel filter
plug leads
fan belt
oil/lube needed places

is there anything else needed?
Did a quick google and i think 14.5v is normal for a nissan almera 1.5 ltr alternator confirmation would be nice though.

[StizePypemype]

haven't change the oil or fuel filter in 3 years?


add fuel filter and plug leads to your list

distributor cap and rotor arm should be checked and replaced if necessary

[Dvjkefdw]

Yeah gonna get a new battery, car hasnt been serviced since we got it which was 3 years ago and its a ten year old car now so i gonna also get some things to service it, i need to make a list of whats needed

Engine oil
oil filter
air filter
petrol filter
spark plugs

is there anything else needed?
Did a quick google and i think 14.5v is normal for a nissan almera 1.5 ltr alternator confirmation would be nice though.

Better late than never, I guess [shocked]
14.5 is a smidgion high, if anything - put on the lights, heater, etc that are being used when it's being driven and recheck the voltage with the engine around 2k rpm. technically, anything over 13.2V will charge but 14+V is better.
I'd add a fan/alternator belt to the list. Also pick up an oil can and go around the hinges, locks, etc.

[suingincentix]

haven't change the oil or fuel filter in 3 years?

Better late than never, I guess [shocked]

Yes its long over due, its my mums car and only used to go the doctors and shops just a couple of miles away and not very often so hardly see`s any milage, i am the legal driver of the car but i hardly use it.

I will update my service list as needed, the AC didnt work this summer which was a bummer it didnt cool the air at all not matter how long it was turned on.

When we got the car fired up with jumpers there was a water patch under the exhuast there must have been lots off water in there and lots of vapour.