Need your help Nico..

[laxands13]

I'm looking to get another 240. Although I had a 240 before, I'm still somewhat of a noob when it comes to actually diagnosing/fixing problems. I found a convertible right by my house with 145k for a decent price. Only problem.. They think the headgasket is close to blowing. They've replaced the radiator and clutch fan but say their mechanic told them water leaked into the block. They told me no coolant is leaking onto the ground (ruling out water pump..?). My question is this: Does water leaking into the block signify a blown headgasket/cracked head or could it really be something less major? I'm going to check out the car tomorrow so anything to look for (other than the milky colored oil on the dipstick) would be much appreciated.
Doug

[audtatious]

If coolant is going down but it's not being blown out of the overfill or elsewhere then you either have a bad HG or a cracked block. I would be sure that back pressure within the coolant system is not causing coolant to be dumped out of the overfill while driving first. You can also look at the coolant in the radiator to see if you have a HG problem in that you would see foam/bubbles. Check the oil as well to see if it's milky as that would state water is getting into the oil.

Additionally, if you have white (non-blueish) smoke from the exhaust that smells "sweet" then that is an indicator that you are burning coolant in the combustion chambers. You can check your plugs too.

[laxands13]

Got it, thanks. So, on the flipside, if there are no bubbles/foam, no milky oil, and no smoke, then the HG isn't blown and the overheating problem is coming from something else?
Could the block still be cracked and not show symptoms in any of the above?

[Jmoore124]

No that does not mean the head gasket isn't blown. They can be bad and not have any of those symptoms. It does tell you that if it is blown its not blown as bad as it could be. Blocks can crack and show no symptoms at all. Its all about where it cracked.

Leakdown and compression tests are two ways to tell if a headgasket is blown.

[SoCal-S13]

the head gasket "is close to blowing." to me that says he knows its gonna give out soon cuz he blew the gasket already and probably warped the head. instead of fixing it he just put a new gasket on and hit the for sale section.

[laxands13]

^ I dont think that's the case. They dont really know all that much about it other than they replaced the radiator and clutch fan and then found out the HG is the problem. Is it possible for the HG to be warped and the head still be straight? That's what they said happened and it does sound a little sketchy. The oil was white when I checked it out today so definitely leaking

[Jmoore124]

There are a thousand scenarios. You will not know until you get your hands dirty and start pulling stuff apart. There is a good chance the head is fine, and equally a chance if it was overheated severely that it is warped. If you are willing to do the headgasket, you can get heads for these cars for nothing. I probably have one around I would sell you for cheap. So if you want the car, buy it and fix it. I recently bought a 2003 saab 9 3 for 1300 dollars that he said needed a clutch. I put the 500 dollar oem clutch kit in it to find out I needed an oil pump and main bearings. Guess what.. I have 2000 dollars and my time in a car that blue books for 4700. And I love driving it. Do what your heart tells you man, unfortunately nobody on here is going to be able to tell you if the head is warped or if your buying a lemon. Worst comes to worst you buy a new motor for 5 or 600 dollars and be done with it.

[blkvrtswp]

What are they asking for it? 145k, good paint, good top, no rust, normal vert interior issues = ~$2500-3000.

Possibly blown engine = I would not pay more than $2000 max.

[laxands13]

Asking 1300. Really not a bad price but I'm 18 years old on a budget and trying not to end up spending all my money on this.

[Jmoore124]

If you don't spend it on getting it fixed you will spend it on accessories

Food for thought, my 1300 dollar car. And its turrrbo

[liquid_cool]

does she smoke?..for the price with a motor..its not a bad deal...if you can fix it your self..if you have no mechanical abilitys..run the other direction..if you do...rent a borescope and peek down the sparkplug holes..if 1 or more of the pistons are really clean...HG is Blown!..replace and whala..running 240..even thou its a vert ..tee hee

[blkvrtswp]

$1300 is a nice low price, especially if there is no rust and the body & top are in reasonably good condition.

Swapping the engine is easier (IMO) than doing a head gasket. Find a $350 warranty KA from a junkyard, and you could have a great car for under $2000.

But you will have to do a lot of work. Rent an engine hoist, have access to tools etc.

Good luck if you buy it!

[liquid_cool]

HG's only take a few hours..and thats farting around..if you know what your doing

[lovehateRBrelations]

In my opinion if this car has been having whatever issue it is, it not good. Just because the head is not warped doesnt mean there isnt other damage to the rest of the engine. Its really a gamble when you pay 1300 bucks hoping that its gonna be great after a hundred bucks and some time, or on the other hand you get things apart and start measuing and find out that a lot stuff is fked up then you are looking and machine shop costs and new parts with can be like 600+. only other option is to buy an engine and swap it for about the same, but then you at stage 1 again. you dont really know what you have and it could cost you more just to get it up to par. I personally would say if you have a budget of 1500-2000 there are plenty of running decent 240sx out there in that price range. The one your looking at has an appealing price, but it seems a lil sketch to me. Just an opinion tho

[liquid_cool]

In my opinion if this car has been having whatever issue it is, it not good. Just because the head is not warped doesnt mean there isnt other damage to the rest of the engine. Its really a gamble when you pay 1300 bucks hoping that its gonna be great after a hundred bucks and some time, or on the other hand you get things apart and start measuing and find out that a lot stuff is fked up then you are looking and machine shop costs and new parts with can be like 600+. only other option is to buy an engine and swap it for about the same, but then you at stage 1 again. you dont really know what you have and it could cost you more just to get it up to par. I personally would say if you have a budget of 1500-2000 there are plenty of running decent 240sx out there in that price range. The one your looking at has an appealing price, but it seems a lil sketch to me. Just an opinion tho

well your points have merit, then again..at least where i live..shells cost 2k now..even for a vert, 240's are just getting rare..normally if i buy any motor, i would do a full teardown anyways and a rebuild..id pack it and store it for a spare..just me..if he's looking just to DD the vert, then id do a full OEM rebuild anyways..couple hundred bucks and you will know she's good for another 100k miles..just my opinion.

[laxands13]

I'm looking to spend as little on this as necessary because I'm trying to either DD it or sell it for a profit, depending on how it is. I have another car that I DD now and want to be able to learn something and (maybe) make some money. The body is mostly clean, car was white at one point and is now red (Engine bay and door things [brain fart] are still white), frame rails are straight, crackless dash, 143K, top is in decent shape. basically the cleanest of the few non-modified 240s in my price range in the area.

[fiznowler]

In my opinion if this car has been having whatever issue it is, it not good. Just because the head is not warped doesnt mean there isnt other damage to the rest of the engine. Its really a gamble when you pay 1300 bucks hoping that its gonna be great after a hundred bucks and some time, or on the other hand you get things apart and start measuing and find out that a lot stuff is fked up then you are looking and machine shop costs and new parts with can be like 600+. only other option is to buy an engine and swap it for about the same, but then you at stage 1 again. you dont really know what you have and it could cost you more just to get it up to par. I personally would say if you have a budget of 1500-2000 there are plenty of running decent 240sx out there in that price range. The one your looking at has an appealing price, but it seems a lil sketch to me. Just an opinion tho

well your points have merit, then again..at least where i live..shells cost 2k now..even for a vert, 240's are just getting rare..normally if i buy any motor, i would do a full teardown anyways and a rebuild..id pack it and store it for a spare..just me..if he's looking just to DD the vert, then id do a full OEM rebuild anyways..couple hundred bucks and you will know she's good for another 100k miles..just my opinion.

Both of these.... are.. hard... to .... read....

[liquid_cool]

contribute in a positive way....or dont read the post and mooove on fabio!