2 Questions: Struts and engine.

[surfwax95]

1995 Nissan 240sx standard trim. 118,000 miles. 5 speed.

Struts: squeaking noise coming from rear on bumps. the boot around the strut is ripped a little. Do I need new struts?, and if so, where could I get some aftermarket for cheap?

Engine: When it's cold (not the engine, the air temp.) the engine makes a noise similar to the shaking of a spraypaint can. goes away after 1200rpm. gas mileage is still about 25-28 but the noise is driving me crazy. The check engine light came on 2 days ago. Is there a way to run diagnostics without taking it to a mechanic?

thanks guys (and gals)

[s13sr20chris]

for squeak noise...disconnect the sway bar links and see if it goes away.

for engine noise...pull valve cover and see if there is a timing chain guide on the top of the top chain. if so remove the two bolts and the guide. throw that turd away and put the valve cover back on. that solves a lot of those noises. used to be a bulletin on it too.

[coolbone28]

For the check engine light, pull out the ECM on the passenger side under the dash. Unbolt it and on the back side there is a switch. you need a small flathead screwdriver or something to turn it. Check out the faq's page on http://www.240sx.org/faq/index.html THis will tell you how to get it into the diagnostic mode and what the different codes mean.

[stocker2000]

Struts: squeaking noise coming from rear on bumps. the boot around the strut is ripped a little. Do I need new struts?, and if so, where could I get some aftermarket for cheap?

I'm not sure what you meant by "boot", but the first thing I thought of when you said "squeak" and "rear" was the strut mount. Check where the rubber of the mount meets metal. If there are any loose edges of rubber, replace the mount.