1993 nissan 240sx rubbing/grinding noise while accelarating in every gear but 4th

ONLY for ADVANCED technical discussion about the 240sx!
Provoke
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:39 pm
Car: 1993 Nissan 240sx

Post

I just bought this s13 this Sunday and in every gear but 4th there is this rubbing/ grinding noise while accelerating. The clutch isn't slipping and the car runs fine but the noise can get loud int 5th gear. The noise sound to be coming from the far left side on the engine bay. Any clue as to what it could be?


User avatar
PapaSmurf2k3
Site Admin
Posts: 23998
Joined: Thu Nov 21, 2002 3:20 pm
Car: 2017 Corvette, 2018 Focus ST, 1993 240sx truck KA Turbo.
Location: Merrimack, NH

Post

I can't imagine why it wouldn't be doing it in 4th.
Does it make the noise if you rev the engine while parked?

Provoke
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:39 pm
Car: 1993 Nissan 240sx

Post

No i doesn't. I've read in other forums that it might be the tranny fluid so I'm gonna do a flush but I have a feeling it's not that. The sound is coming more from the motor.

User avatar
PapaSmurf2k3
Site Admin
Posts: 23998
Joined: Thu Nov 21, 2002 3:20 pm
Car: 2017 Corvette, 2018 Focus ST, 1993 240sx truck KA Turbo.
Location: Merrimack, NH

Post

Is there any way you could take a video of the noise?

Provoke
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:39 pm
Car: 1993 Nissan 240sx

Post

[youtube]https://youtu.be/KEiCN6dplpA[/youtube]

I start off in 2nd then 3rd and then 4th

User avatar
PapaSmurf2k3
Site Admin
Posts: 23998
Joined: Thu Nov 21, 2002 3:20 pm
Car: 2017 Corvette, 2018 Focus ST, 1993 240sx truck KA Turbo.
Location: Merrimack, NH

Post

yeah that's definitely strange. The only thing I can think of is maybe some kind of bad bearing inside the trans but you said its coming from the engine, so I'm not sure.

User avatar
centralcoaster33
Posts: 2769
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:41 am
Car: 240SX #5-1997
Location: Central Coast, CA

Post

I suspect the transmission. Specifically the bearings for the counter gear set. The counter gear set is used in all gears except direct drive (fourth). When in direct drive (fourth), then the counter gear is more or less on slack (no strain) while all the other gears are spinning around the main shaft on their needle bearings.

My bearing failed in the center of the counter gear set, popped out, then the counter gear shaft broke in half. I drove all the way home in the only remaining gear, fourth, running stop signs, bogging and working the clutch.
Luckily it was very late at night. The cause was poor transmission lubrication of course, but at some point, it's too late for those bearings to just add more oil.

I suggest putting the car all the way up on jack stands and listening to the noise location from underneath the car and suspect you'll find it coming from the 'belly' of the transmission. If it's what I think, then you must replace the bearing or the transmission to fix the problem before it breaks all the way. You can also drain and check the plug for bearings or shrapnel.


Return to “240SX Technical Forum”