My 240 doesnt start or anything can anyone help?

[StanleyS13]

I have a 1990 240sx Base Model with 169070 miles and as far as i know all original parts. The guy i bought it from said it ran but then got put in a garage for two years and when i bought the 240 it didnt run. He also said it sat those two years with one spark plug missing out of it the whole time. When i put a battery in it and try to start it i hear the starter click but nothing happens. Nothing happens in the motor at all any ideas? I know this probably isnt enough info to really help but i dont know what to do besides find a new engine.

[MaximA32]

Does it crank over at all or does it just click?

[StanleyS13]

it just clicks. the starter hits but nothing happens

[MaximA32]

Give the starter some love taps, it could have just hit a dead spot on the gear. The battery is charged correct? Have you tried jumping straight from the batter to the starter to rule out anything in between?

[StanleyS13]

no i havent tried that but i sure will. thanks.

[StanleyS13]

well seems like the start is fine but nothing happened. a friend of mine suggested it may be hydro locked. anyway to tell for sure? and fix it?

[MaximA32]

Pull the dipstick out. Does it look like oil or chocolate milk?

[StanleyS13]

it looks like oil

[StanleyS13]

Was also told that when it ran it had a clicking/tapping sound the seemed to be coming from a valve so when it quit running they thought maybe dropped a valve but when you look at it you can see all the steams are still there.oh and i found out its an SE.

[skyline084]

What have you checked? all connections? timing good? ecu throwing codes?
Manually crank over the motor make sure the pos isn't seized. check all your fuses, especially your main 75 amp fuse. make sure electrical connection to starters good.

[rioredstang]

Pull all (4) plugs out and spray a good penetrating oil in and let set over night or longer. Now get a breaker bar or long ratchet on the crankshaft bolt and try to turn the crank. Try to turn one way then the other till it breaks loose. Once it breaks loose then turn with the starter while spraying penetrating oil in each cylinder.

[StanleyS13]

i pull the plugs and tried to use a breaker bar and could only get it to turn about a 1/6 to 1/4 of a turn before it stopped both ways. and how do i check the ecu?

[rioredstang]

I think the engine is locked up. You will have to pull engine and tear down and see what has happened. If check engine light comes on the computer is working.

[StanleyS13]

the check engine light does come on. so pull out the engine and tear it down is all there is to be done then?

[rioredstang]

Yes, It may have rust in one cylinder. Anyway you will have to tear it down and is what has happened.

[StanleyS13]

if it turns out to have rust in one of the cylinders how do i fix that? sorry for asking so much im only 19 and dont know half of what i would like to.

[rioredstang]

You may have to have the block bored and a new set of pistons.

[StanleyS13]

would it be cheaper if i just found another motor or got the one i have bored?

[rioredstang]

Well you have to weigh the options here. If you buy another used engine you don't the condition of it. You could be buying one with problems. Install it and 2k or 3k miles and bang. Head gasket, spun rod bearing, or something else. You just don't know.

Now if you rebuild the engine you know what's been done. You may have to spend twice as much money to rebuild, but you can build to your specs. New bearings, pistons & rings, line bore block, valve job, check crank, now you have a new motor that you can run and not be scared its going to blow.

[StanleyS13]

ok so it sounds like in the long run rebuilding is the way to go.

[StanleyS13]

is it possible to remove the rust without having to have the black bored?

[rioredstang]

the machine shop will tell you if it needs bored, or if it will hone out.

[skyline084]

yo man, if you go and pick up a new motor. Just make sure you can test it. If it's not in the car, compression test without a doubt. If it gives weak compression, it's literally a time bomb waiting to blow.
Unless you feel like fixing yours, which is what I would do.. Hone the cylinders, or bore out if you'd like. But if ya bore.. it obviously requires more money/work. If you just hone, than a ring replacement will hold ya over.

[StanleyS13]

ok thanks.