I have a 1989 240 SX SE. It only has 69,000 miles on it. I am the first owner. I live in Los Angeles. It has been garaged the whole time.
Here is my problem. The timing chain broke. It broke the timing chain cover. Oil and water mixed. The pistons apparently have a little oil in them. The operable solution is to buy a rebuilt engine. After much labor, I found one that is is $1100 installed.
By the way, I initially was told to get a Japanese import engine, but it turns out that there were none for this car. Only 2.4 engines were in in US and Canada. The rest of the world had 2.0 and 1.8.
Anyway, I also need a compressor, I guess optional, for the air conditioning. Another $150 bucks.
I need brake pads and rotors. There's another $160 bucks.
My driver side door lock was futzed by an attendant - some electrical glitz that will be another $100.
Radiator flush. Hoses oil etc. another let's say hundred and a half.
We're looking at close to $1750 at minimum to fix up this car.
The body and finish are in good shape. Is this an investment worth making or should I decide that this car has had it's worth 14 years and move on.
Many thanks for your help.
ChadguyLos Angeles, CA
1989 240 SX SE Rebuilt Engine? Worth it?
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spec-v5150
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Depends. Are you an ethusiasts?? If NOT I wouldnt put the money into a 14 year old car. NOW, if you are into cars, drifitng, autocrossing or whatever people do with S13's, I would say do that or get a swap. That is low mileage for the timing chain to break though....Never personally heard of one breaking at 69,000. Anyway just look at what this car will be used for and decide from there. I would personally do it because I like my S13 for one and two and I cant afford a Z32 or Z33 (is that the chassis model for 350Z)
I'm sorry. I do not know what S-13 means? But curious, though.
I forgot in my last post to say, I probably need a pair of rear tires which will up the price further.
I'm not particularly an "enthusiast", but money is an issue these days and the price of a new car until I stabilize isn't doable. The thought of searching for a used car doesn't seem to put me very much ahead.
I will put in $2 grand for a car not worth very much more, but at least I know that the engine etc. is rebuilt and working. Is that good logic, or just fooling myself?
Many thanks.
Chadguy
By the way, I was wondering about the profile as "Driving Mom's Car" What does that mean on this site?
I forgot in my last post to say, I probably need a pair of rear tires which will up the price further.
I'm not particularly an "enthusiast", but money is an issue these days and the price of a new car until I stabilize isn't doable. The thought of searching for a used car doesn't seem to put me very much ahead.
I will put in $2 grand for a car not worth very much more, but at least I know that the engine etc. is rebuilt and working. Is that good logic, or just fooling myself?
Many thanks.
Chadguy
By the way, I was wondering about the profile as "Driving Mom's Car" What does that mean on this site?
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spec-v5150
- Posts: 1043
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2003 1:24 pm
Sircnay wrote:Well S13 is the chassis code for the 240sx. Heh, well and Driving Mom's car means you're a newbie on the site. It's cool. I say, do it. 2 grand is a lot but, it'll get you a long way. Keep up the regular maintenence and it'll last you quite a bit of time.
Good point. Would I pay 2000 for a rebuild...hell yeah because I like my S13. Now if it was just a daily driver. Nothing too special, I would try to sell it to someone who knew what to do with it or junk it.
Oh and about the japanese imports they were referring to SR20 and CA18
Chad, I have a '90 240sx SE that I bought about 9 months ago for $1000 and it had 192,000 miles on it and was in terrible shape. Since december I have put roughly $10,000 into the car and it is absolutley killer. Would I do it again? Yes, without a doubt. In fact, my wife just bought an '89 240sx SE and we fully intend to do everything to it that we did to mine, but make it faster and prettier.
It is your choice, you have a real gem of a car, you could either keep it and bring it to it's true glory or you could sell it to me for $1000
It is your choice, you have a real gem of a car, you could either keep it and bring it to it's true glory or you could sell it to me for $1000
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Down_Force
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rousie13
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I'd say keep that car as you've been the only owner of the car. You know exactly what has happened to that car since it was new and it sounds like it has no rust(I could be wrong). That car sounds like a perfect project car. If you have the money, I'd say get the SR20 or CA18, but if you don't, just go with the engine that you saw for 1100.
If you have the money, I'd say get the SR20 or CA18, but if you don't, just go with the engine that you saw for 1100.-
pervytheclown
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groundhogday1976
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I want to thank you all for your advice. Here is where this sits at the moment:
1. I took the car back from my mechanic who wanted to rebuild the engine. He doesn't have a machine shop and I am not sure he can do the job.
2. I have a few options for a re-man engine. a) There is a dismantler out here who claims to have the engine. (I now know that the '89 had a single cam and I should be wary.) Assuming it is correct, he wants $650 for the re-man engine and $1100 installed. 3 month parts and labor warranty. All cash transaction. b) There is an outfit here called K. Watanabe. Rebuilding engines are their business. They would give me a re-man engine for $1420 installed. 1 year on engine. 3 months on labor. There I guess I can use a credit card or check. The thought of putting down over a grand cash scares me a little on the other place.
3. l phoned a 240 shop out here that does upgrades. He offered me $1500 for the car, but said if I could probably get $2000 for it. He said it has everything people want, it's black, hatchback SE, superclean, with 68,000 miles. People in the Mid-west want them but there they are all rusted and such. And they would toss my engine for an upgrade anyways. On what to do if I want to keep it, he suggested NOT buying the reman engine from the dismantler and actually having a good machine shop work on mine to make sure it's REALLY as close to new as possible. He also said that he could sell me an old engine which he takes out for between 200 and 400. The only problem is the single cams are rare and usually have 200K on them.
That's my story. I thank you all for all the tips. I actually feel for the first time I know a little about cars. I won't be driving Mom's car for long.
Chadguy
1. I took the car back from my mechanic who wanted to rebuild the engine. He doesn't have a machine shop and I am not sure he can do the job.
2. I have a few options for a re-man engine. a) There is a dismantler out here who claims to have the engine. (I now know that the '89 had a single cam and I should be wary.) Assuming it is correct, he wants $650 for the re-man engine and $1100 installed. 3 month parts and labor warranty. All cash transaction. b) There is an outfit here called K. Watanabe. Rebuilding engines are their business. They would give me a re-man engine for $1420 installed. 1 year on engine. 3 months on labor. There I guess I can use a credit card or check. The thought of putting down over a grand cash scares me a little on the other place.
3. l phoned a 240 shop out here that does upgrades. He offered me $1500 for the car, but said if I could probably get $2000 for it. He said it has everything people want, it's black, hatchback SE, superclean, with 68,000 miles. People in the Mid-west want them but there they are all rusted and such. And they would toss my engine for an upgrade anyways. On what to do if I want to keep it, he suggested NOT buying the reman engine from the dismantler and actually having a good machine shop work on mine to make sure it's REALLY as close to new as possible. He also said that he could sell me an old engine which he takes out for between 200 and 400. The only problem is the single cams are rare and usually have 200K on them.
That's my story. I thank you all for all the tips. I actually feel for the first time I know a little about cars. I won't be driving Mom's car for long.
Chadguy