engine blew

[smokin240]

Im sure you guys read my other posts abou the tapping noise my car was making. today I took the chance to move it from work and try to drive it home but had a friend follow me just in case something happened. believe or not, the engine started knocking extremely loud, so loud I felt it in the pedals and I knew that was it, the engine exploded (sounded like a gun) and shrapnel flew out from underneath my car and hit 3 different cars, and then my wheels locked up and I skidded to a stop. This just happened a few hours ago, right now its sitting at a gas station and im friggin clueless as what to do. Im in high school, with $200 and am independent. I just got through, less than a week ago, replacing the clutch myself, which took 2 and a half weeks. From what someone told me the piston rod was loose and finally exploded and blew it through the oil pan. Oil was all over the road and theres a trail of it all the way to where we pushed the car. The engine is blown, I know that, but ho severely, I don't know. Im afriad to take it to a mechanic because they would obviously charge me alot for the situation im in. right now im trying to weigh my options, what ould you guys do or suggest doing

[deviousKA]

You need a new or used engine. Yours is not worth fixing do to all the parts necessary and rebuild cost. Although some components may still be in reusable condition, its toast.

[smokin240]

what a piece of ****, this thing has given me nothing but trouble since ive had it and now its blown. i thought nissan 240's had high quality engines, i have done nothing but baby this thing. never getting one again.

[ka24deNewB]

How many miles was on your car? and did you do a flush? When i had my first 240sx i had the same problem. I am also in your situation. Now with the 240sx and the problems like this. I would recommend doing a swap with the same motor. If it is a ka24e, then you will have a bit of a problem finding it. but the swap is easy to do. I did mine in less than a week and it was my first time doing it. so best of luck to you and don't give up so easily.

[smokin240]

EDIT: It's a dohc Ok, heres the story, just to show I don't give up easily its long, bear with me. When I first got the car October of 2003 it had about 163-16400k on it and it was a manual. I did some research, it was my first car, still is, and found that 240's not only had great engines but were a nice sports car that was cheap. Sort of like the secret sports car that know one knows about, which appealed to me because it was cheap. I was also 16 at the time, I didn't even have my license yet. Anyway, I bought it from a lady who was selling it for her brother who had left and could only bring one car with him, and unfortunatly the wife said the van. So the car had been sitting at his sisters house for a few months. Eventually she put it up on autotrader and thats when I saw it. I called her up and we sat up a meeting at a gas station a few towns away and i talked and talked with her. I finally convinced her from 3500 to 2500 and my uncle was with me, he tried to talk her down even lower but she wouldnt go. I test drove it, with my uncle driving of course, and I instantly fell in love. She said she had someone from a different city looking at it the next day, that would be driving 2 hours to look at the car. I figured if he's driving that far that he's seriously considering buying it. So I went home, thought about it and called her up that night. I told her I would take it and she said i'll let the other people know and she brought it over the next night. God I loved that car so much, I wanted to drive it so bad but didnt have a license. I remember a few nights going out without my license and without my parents knowing, man I had so much fun. Anyway a few weeks went by and thats when all the problems started. First, my uncle went to pick me up from school with my car, and he said "You car is acting weird today for some reason". I was a real noob at driving manual so I drove it anyway (had my permit) with him in the car and pretty much instantly could tell. It was extremely sluggish and it would jump really bad. My being a noob driver I couldn't really cover it up so from then on he hated driving with me Anyway I got my license like a couple weeks later, and by then I was shifting perfect and could even cover up the sluggish problem, atleast until I tried accelerating fast. I had that acceleration problem for the next 2 years and just fixed it recently a couple weeks ago (spark plug wires). It took 6 mechanics, a load of money, numerous other people, and alot of time but later on finally figured it out. Through all of this is when the engine started tapping, very very lightly but was tapping. I think it was my friends dad that noticed it, but I just blew it off thinking it was the normal engine sound, miiiiistake. I replaced so many things on the car trying to find it (sluggishness). The next thing was my brakes, then my rotors, then my stereo, speakers, tires, tie rod, wipers, plugs, mafs, coil, and a few other small things. Just a week ago I finished putting my clutch on, after it was stuck at a restaraunt for days when it went out, but replaced it by myself I might add, and it took me a couple weeks but I did it. And what a nightmare, dont get me started on that The next day is when I got new plug wires and the induction service done ($220). Just 2 weeks before, I spent 300 on the clutch kit and tools to do it. Keep in mind im still in high school, live by myself, and have a low paying job. Then, I was so happy my car wasn't sluggish anymore, I bought some AEM Intake, $150 (now out of money). That still hasnt arrived. Past week, I think because the car ran so much better it was putting alot more stress on my bad piston rods, and the sound got VERY loud VERY fast. Then, 2 days ago, my engine blows, literally. Now, my car is sitting at the Gas Station (deja vu), with the bottom of the motor blown out and so much money put into it that past 3 weeks it makes me sick. Anyway, thats my life with the 240, summed up of course. Though I loved the 240, I dont anymore, either my car had a fluke, or its just a bad car, I dont know, I just know that im not getting another, ever. Now you know, I don't give up easily. I may consider swapping the engine, but I seriously have only 200 on me now and wont get paid for awhile, and that money is going towards living (food, rent, etc.) And no my parents cant help, my mom, I love her to death, but cant afford to help. My dad, well, he hasnt been a part of my life for years. before this turns into Jerry Springer, im going to go. Thanks all for reading this and maybe you can all have a better understanding of the position im in, even though I dont have many options, if any at all, maybe theres hope for the 240 and me. Thanks again.

-Rydell

[ChavezSA]

When your intake arrives, return it or sell it. Either way, get your money back. Match that money with some of the $200 you will have saved by eating nothing but Ramen noodles and cereal for 2 weeks, and hopefully you can buy a new motor. If you had any head work done on the old motor, then keep the old head. You may be able to salvage the head later on if it wasn't warped or cracked.

Junkyards around here (Saint Louis) charge only like $150 for a motor, and include a 30 day guarantee. Hopefully you can find something comparable. Do some looking around. You might even find one that has less mileage.

If you'd rather not mess with it anymore, then sell it for what you can get. Around here, a DOHC-equipped 240 in nice condition that doesn't run, with new clutch and such, can fetch about $1000-1200. That is, if you can find someone who wants to buy a 240 that doesn't run (i.e. someone who wants to do a SR20 motor swap).

Anyway, good luck whichever way you decide.
Modified by ChavezSA at 9:37 PM 2/20/2005

[lilvtboigotrice]

Well the 240sx are really good cars but some are badly misused and you probally just happened to get one of those. I know how you feel though same kind of stuff happened to me, car got stranded twice by a blown transmission so ended up selling it to buy another 240 and right now its probally one of the most reliable cars ever. Sorry to hear that from you but on the bright side its perfect for an engine swap whenever you have the money or go for a DE swap. Definately worth the money and inexpensive. Either way good luck with whichever way you decide.

[midnightsliding]

yeah i know how u feel somekin, hes what i did this past week, their one on each side of the block and one in the oil pan.

[Ubernoober]

It is still a 13 year old car with 165K miles on it. There will always be wear. Initial problems should have clued you in to the fact that general service needed to be done. I realize its a learning process.It sounds like you really love the 240 so why would you bail out now? Is there something else you could afford?

[smokin240]

Yes exactly, its a 13 year old car. Why is it worth replacing the engine if the rest of the car has that many miles? My steering or electrical system could go out.... wait.... nevermind my electrical already went out. I guess steering is the only thing left that could go, which it probably will. So yeah, i loved it but now im to the point where I can't do anything more. and yes, its my fault I didn't address the tapping noise until it got too bad. It wasn't loud until a week ago and thats when I had to do something. I knew it came from the engine thats why I didn't....couldn't... do anything about that because something in the engine your at the mechanics mercy because of labor and parts cost. I wasn't even sure what the problem was. and i simply didn't have the money to put out towards fixing it. Other than that, I have taken care of the car, new oil every 2k miles, 93 octane gas every fill up, warming up the car for 5 minutes every morning, replacing the transmission fluid, washing it every 2 weeks.... just the few off the top of my head that I made a habit of doing. midnight sliding, that looks exactly like what mine does, sorry it happened to you too. thanks all for listening to me rant and rave, im heading over to the bank tomorrow to see what, if any, kind of loans I can get for a new ride

[ShIfT4SiDeWaYz]

sorry bout ur luck but there is nothing you could have done to keep it from blowing it without parking the car what happened is the wrist pin on the bottom of the piston that connects it to the rod broke i know this because last week mine did the same and i almost tried to drive it to a friends house because i thought it was nothing but the ka series motors have that problem when they get that many miles on them course mine has 204,000 at the moment and i'm gettin me another engine tomorrow but just wanted to let you know you're not the only person this has happened to and to also let you know 1 month ago my sentra caught fire and burnt to the ground and i got to watch it and then i bought the 240 had it 4 days and the motor went to hell so i know what it feels like but keep your head up motors are farely cheap and so is a swap

Don

[Dirtylou]

That really sucks. I hope everything works out soon. Right now, all this talk of blowing motors is making me feel uneasy about my car (220k).

[Kansei240sx]

How the crap are you guys blowing out through your blocks?

You must be beating the **** out of the motor to do that.

Man, smokem, if i was near, i would so help you out with a motor swap, unfortunately im all the way in oklahoma.

[midnightsliding]

yeah im pretty hard on the Oll KA's , my car has 107k on it and when i bought it at 85k it had bad rings, this is now the 3rd engine and its done.

[silvia200zx]

Hey, Smokin... Sorry 'bout your car, but there was nothing you could do. Once a rod starts knocking it only gets worse. Best advice anyone can give is to get a new motor. I know you're frustrated, but when you think about it financially... You can spend a couple grand on a new car but fact is in your situation the cars you'll be able to afford will have a good amount of miles on them. And there is always the chance of this happening with that car. OR, you can buy a motor for less than 500 easy, and you can rebuild one for like 800-1000, with a rebuilt motor you won't have to worry about this for at least 125,000 and thats if you rag on it and don't take care of it. These engines go past 200,000 all the time. Whatever you decide to do, GOOD LUCK. Keep your head up. Life gave you lemons, make some lemonaKA24de.

[Dattebayo]

S14 motors are less prone to this sort of thing.And a 95-96 engine will be a piece of cake to install in a S13. All things considered, it will be cheaper to get a new engine for your 240 than getting a new ride.

And im sorry this happened to you, but your claim that nissan does not make "quality" engines is false and is among a few isolated incedences involving lack of respect for the engine and it's maintenance and wear.

Rarely will you see a four cylinder engine go over 200K, and when you bought the car it was damn close and never went through its scheduled service points. This is pretty standard among nissans.

[Altiman94]

tell ya what man, I have a spare dohc motor sitting in my shed. It ran at the time it was pulled. You would, however, need to put your alternator on it, bc that was not given to me with the motor. I like in Cedar Falls, IA. If you are willing to drive to get it, I will sell it to you for $100. It ran fine, and I also have a transmission you can have with it. The clutch, pressure plate are not on the motor, but you could assemble it all and be running in a day. My aol s/n is mistertwoforty. I'd love to help you out. I, too, was once a poor high school kid with no option on my 240. I'd be glad to get this car on the road again for you.

[Mikoriad]

Man that's some sad stuff... Now I feel slightly paraniod about mine. Nothing wrong with it at all, but now I'm paranoid.

[CDE]

Hey, Smokin... Sorry 'bout your car, but there was nothing you could do. Once a rod starts knocking it only gets worse. Best advice anyone can give is to get a new motor. I know you're frustrated, but when you think about it financially... You can spend a couple grand on a new car but fact is in your situation the cars you'll be able to afford will have a good amount of miles on them. And there is always the chance of this happening with that car. OR, you can buy a motor for less than 500 easy, and you can rebuild one for like 800-1000, with a rebuilt motor you won't have to worry about this for at least 125,000 and thats if you rag on it and don't take care of it. These engines go past 200,000 all the time. Whatever you decide to do, GOOD LUCK. Keep your head up. Life gave you lemons, make some lemonaKA24de.

w0rd.

It's all a learnig process, and at times an expensive one. My first car was an 89 corolla GT-S and it was a FUN car...almost as fun as my 240. To make a long story short, it had 300K on it, it had a busted front end (some dude gave me a nose job pulling out on me), and lots of things were starting to break. Power windows were kinda working...sunroof scrooed, trunk and doors leaked like a mofo, and many mechanical quirks. I knew what they all were and I couldn't afford to fix them. It wasn't anything as serious as your situation however. I always keep a nest egg of 500 bux just incase something does have to be fixed.

There are a lot of people from or around Richmond it seems in these forums.

I'd take Altiman up on that SWEET deal! I'd take him up on that and then post in the 'Online Mechanic' forum and maybe a super awesome nice dude would sacrafice a sunday afternoon and help you get straitened out (that forum gets more traffic I think).

-Chris

PS - that "lemonaKA24DE" made me laugh

[Axoure Dragonkin]

Man, that sucks. I'm having problems too.

Look at sig for my car details... 168k sohc

Anyway, had mine for six months now. Here's what has gone wrong thus far, i really don't blame the car though...

bought from a dealer for with known problems for 800 bucks planned to do sr20 or rb20 swapgot told to quit or be fired from jobswap didn't happenautomatic transmission seized updecided to swap to manual ~400 buckscompany that makes flywheel bolts had a bad batch,they paid the repair bill after flywheel tore off the bolts in the crankshafti now work for the guy who fixed the flywheelone week after getting the car back, blown headgasketi'll be damned if i'm going to pay labor on that junkdoing it myself

...and that is where i am now

however, my mom cosigned on a 1999 4-liter v6 ford ranger pickup so i can at least get to my job now, and get parts

i'm just going to fix the 240sx and sell it for cash, and do it again and again till i've recovered what i spent on it, then i'll buy a new one and be debt free

[Veriest1]

At the very least keep the 240 even if your going to get a newer ride since you won't be able to get just a whole lot for it. once you have it restored it will be an amazing car. Keep in mind many cars would have died long before yours did given the same kind of care by previous owners. Their is much love for the 240 and it gets it all for a reason.

[smokin240]

thanks everyone and especially you altiman, but I cant drive that far. Nice to know im not alone having bad luck. I may end up keeping the 240, ive put too much money into it to sell it for 1k. when i get the money i may fix it up on the side. for now though i need a way to get to school and work . thanks again everyone-Rydell

[KATwo40]

Whatever you buy, if it's naturally aspirated, I wouldn't run 93 octane. The lowered engine temps promote carbon buildup on the pistons/valves. The only way to get rid of carbon is to make it hotter than when it was formed. 87 octane really is better for naturally aspirated cars.

[Veriest1]

Whatever you buy, if it's naturally aspirated, I wouldn't run 93 octane. The lowered engine temps promote carbon buildup on the pistons/valves. The only way to get rid of carbon is to make it hotter than when it was formed. 87 octane really is better for naturally aspirated cars.

This isn't really a rule of thumb. High octane is also required for NA applications with high compression. High octane gas is actually harder to burn than low octane and therefore resists detonation better. High compression and forced induction engines are more prone to detonation than a grocery getter engine.

If the car is stock the manufacturer will have a suggested octane. You should probably follow it.

[Altiman94]

the offer stands to anyone who needs a motor. If I am able to help with the install, I will. I am very busy however, so teh cheap motor is as close to turning wrenches as I can get. I just hate seeing 240's in the junkyards.

[eddiec]

I just hate seeing 240's in the junkyards.

i'll second that

[Z Style]

i'll second that

How would we get junk parts if there was no junk 240's?

Anyways, I say keep the car you aren't going to make any money on it and you will learn alot from this. I am sure some one out there would be willing to give you a hand, just keep your head up man.

[ChavezSA]

I agree. Do you have any friends or co-workers who are into cars? Maybe one of 'em can give you a hand or front you some money to help out.

By the way, you're definitely not alone. I'm trying to figure out what's wrong with my car too. Won't start for some reason. And mine just rolled 120K on the clock.

[masticatingcow]

ChavezSA, if you don't know what's wrong with your car, why don't you take it to a mechanic? If your legs were paralyzed one day when you woke up, wouldn't you find some way to get to a doctor? Engine knock, chest pain, facial droop or gasket seepage. If you can't fix it, find someone who can.

What exactly is the engine doing besides "not starting"? Do you hear the starter clicking rapidly? Does it click once and then you lose power? Does the engine turn on the starter, but won't idle? Explain if you can.

The KA24DE is a remarkable engine. I think that such severe problems (not including "not starting", which is usually easily fixed) are the exception under 200K miles, not the rule. I just rolled over 226K miles and have had no problems. None.

The key is regular maintenance. Yes, Nissans are incredibly reliable cars, but that does not mean that you can skip oil changes and regularly blow off warming the car up. (Not pointing fingers, just saying, we've all done it.) Ever since I got this car (at 190K, mind you) I have always changed the oil every 2800-3100 miles and let the car warm up for AT LEAST two minutes before driving.

And smokin240, good luck fixing your car. Give Nissan another shot and I promise you won't be disappointed.

[austins240]

hey bro, you are in richmond?

i can make you an offer. I love working on cars but have no money as well. i recently sold my spare kade to a guy on MA for $100 that would have been perfect for you, sorry just bad timing.

My offer

you said you just ordered an intake system for your S13 KA24DE right? if you can get an engine at your house with the car and all of the tools (or at least the engine lift) and give me a place to crash over the weekend i'll swap your stuff in return i get your intake.

i work for fun so need no cash, i feel a $150 intake, couch, and a 12 pack would be fine for me to drive down there from D.C. and hook you up. don't get rid of her bro.

are you on Midatlantic240sx.com? if so get on there and try to find a running motor. you don't even need the wiring harness or acessories.

let me know, shoot me an email if this might work for you.

[email protected]

on MA austins240

later