Help with high-mileage KA24DE...

[S13HatchLuvr]

What's up again, boys. Please... before you say anything, I want you to know that I did a great deal of searching before asking this question! I just want specific answers for my particular case... Plus I'm not sure who just likes to SOUND like they know what they're talking about and who REALLY knows what they're talking about in those other random forums, sooooo:

I have a '91 hatchback LE with the stock KA with 160,000 miles on it... The person I'm buying from (who seems to be a huge Nissan fan) says that it runs just fine now. I know I should watch for the burning of oil and other similar problems, but what, specifically, seems to be common problems with these higher mileage KA's? By the way... I'm planning on keeping my N/A KA and I want it to be reliable, above all else... Any suggestions?

[leper421]

1. Timing chain tension. Listen for a rattling sound from the engine when it is first started cold.

2. Rust on the hatch under the spoiler. Remove the trim from the underside of the hatch and look at the metal under the spoiler from the inside of the car. It will seem less than it really is if you just look from the outside of the car.

Those are the only common 240 problems I can think of right now, besides basic mechanical problems that all old cars suffer from.

[S13HatchLuvr]

Thanks... My brother's got a 240 and I think he's got a problem with the tensioner, now that you say that. I'll look into that right away. Does anyone else want to add, or is the rest just normal maintenance? Thanks for everyone's help!