Buying a 95 240, Q's about making her run "like new".

[tehOm3n]

I've done a bit of browsing and searching, and have found some good topics on doing a little tune-up to get your car running more efficiently, but I still have unanswered questions.

So, I just bought a 1995 240sx with 120,000 miles on the engine, A'PEXi Dual Exhaust, and Injen CAI.

The car runs nice, but the previous owner was the second owner - and didn't do very much upkeep.

All of that said, I also don't know very much about car upkeep and doing a tune-up. I've never owned a nice car, only beaters to get me around. I want to learn, though. I've enrolled in some basic Auto-Tech courses at a local CC, but I'm not waiting until spring to get this beauty running better.

I'm not looking to swap it with an SR20 or get boosted, I'm not looking to put headers on it or change my exhaust. Before any of that sh*t happens, I would like to know:

What fluids to change?How to flush the engine?Spark plugs and air filter?Seals? Valves? Hoses --- is this something a noob can do with instruction?I'm sure I'm missing some stuff, but thats why I was hoping for some input.

I'll continue searching, but I'd appreciate any help or feedback on what I can do to get her running like new.

Thanks!

[redtop91]

Why 3 posts?

[matt4pl]

What fluids to change?How to flush the engine?Spark plugs and air filter?Seals? Valves? Hoses --- is this something a noob can do with instruction?

change all the fluids:coolant, PS, diff, trans, engine oil. w/e engine oil you put into it, pick it and stick with it, except for viscosities between summer/winter if you so choose to.

flush the engine, of coolant, there is a drain plug on the drivers side of the block under the exhaust manifold, 14mm i think. open that, along with hte radiator drain plug (be gentle with the radiator plug)for PS, unplug the return hose to the resevoir, drain the resevoir, turn the wheels back and forth until fluid stops coming out, connect it all, re-fill with ATF or PS fluiddiff, trans, and enging oils are a snap too. just find hte drain plugs, for hte trans, the fill plug is up on the drivers side of the trans, looks just like the drain plug, same for the diff.

check radiator hoses for visible damage, rot, etc. replace as needed.

for internal engine work, especially head work, you need specialty tools i doubt you have, as you;re just starting out, but with a metric socket set and a good torque wrench, you can easily do a poor man's rebuild, including all major exteriotr seats, timing chain elements, etc, etc

spark plugs/wires, go with NGK platinums, and any name brand wires are fine (Accel, Nology, and NGK for a slight performance increase)

to add to the list, checking TPS setting, O2 sensor, timing, coolant temp sensor can be replaced too.

add inspecion of ball joints, tie rod ends, bushing, shocks/spring. so what if your motor runs like new if the car drives like its 12 years old.