Low Lopey idle and rpm problems in ka24de + other problems

[Deadrodent]

hey everyone, my name is Ryan and I recently bought a 1992 240sx with the dohc ka24de engine and 5spd transmission. Overall the car seems to be in decent shape - however there are a few things wrong with the engine and whatnot.

1. The engine runs strong but there seems to be a problem with the engine's timing. The car idles at about 500rpm versus the normal 700-800rpm of my friends 240's.

2. The guy I bought the car from says the head gasket is "leaking" - there are small deposits around the head that look as if they have come from the headgasket but I have not compression tested the engine as of yet so I don't know the truth behind this guy's statements. The car still has more than adequate power with a smooth powerband and no flat spots but you never know.

3. There is a lot of vibration coming through the steering wheel and the car pulls strongly to the right once I let go of the wheel. Obviously part of the problem is the alignment but the vibration is extremely unsettling. I don't feel confident in the normally smooth and predictable handling of the 240. It seems that the vibrations are only at highway speeds and might be related to the front end alignment problem.

4. I hear a high pitched whine coming from the rear end. Could the gears of the rear end be stripped maybe? Is this normal in a 240?

5. There seems to be some kind of rpm problem probably linked to the timing of the engine. When driving down the highway at let's say 5th gear @ 70mph (atleast that's what the speedo and tach tell me) I am at 3000 rpm. I have been around a few 240's and it seems that normally they do 5th gear @ 70 mph at around 2000rpm. That's a 1000rpm of difference - that means i'm probably topping out even before the 110mph limit of the ka24de.

6. The flip up lights are stuck open. It's probably an easy fix but I'm just starting to learn the technical details about 240's (lol please bear with me)

7. I'll probably be around this forum awhile now as I plan on working and modifying this 240 over the course of the summer and most likely the next few years as I am going to study at UTI in arizona during the fall. So basically I'm looking to make a few friends that can help me fix/fix up my car. I'm looking forward to all your responses! Thanks in advance!

[corn322]

1. you could try adjusting the idle. the screw is on the back of the intake manifold. unplug the TPS before you adjust it.

2. vibration might be the T/C bushings. get under the car and look at them. they are at the end of the arm that goes from the crappy metal brackets at the front of the car back to the front control arm. they are like 1 foot long. if they are all cracked and the gooey stuff is leaking out, you need new ones.

5. I do 3k rpm @ 70 mph. stock gearing.

[ricebike]

http://www.zeroyon.com/TheSite/techservice.html

the FSM is your friend...

1. check base timing/ idle speed as per FSM, mebbe vaccuum leaks/ run a trouble code check as per FSM or in http://www.240sx.org FAQs

2. do a compression/leakdown test & post findings

3. TC rods/ outer tie rods/ lower ball joints/ lower control arm may be bent on the pass side/ try rotating the wheels front<--->back (mebbe wheels are outta round/wheel weights)

4.<shrugs> check diff fluid level? mebbe the rear brakes/ inspect driveshafts cv boots? i dunno but whine is not normal

5.my ka24e is a lil over 3k's @ 70mph...

6. try tapping that headlight switch on the left of the steering wheel. mebbe previous owner did the "sleepy eye" mod where u pull out that switch, cut a brown wire, tape it up, & whalla! tap it to see if lights go down...

7. welcome to NICO!