next 180sx

[burnout 180]

I just got my next 180sx from japan 1990 ca18det.I just wanted to know what you think i should check or change before driving it.Its been sitting in the car lot for about 2 years. I know i have to change the oil but what else should i do. i want to make sure it running 100% before i start doing any mods on it because it doesn,t make any sense to put mods on a engine that isn't first runnig the best it could.

Thats all

[pulsar gtr]

Well, first, as you mentioned, you need to change all the fluids, once that done, since the car has been sitting for 2 years, remove your spark plugs and drop some WD-40 in each cylinder through the spark plugs, helps the rings to loosen up a bit.

disconnect the ignitor and the fuel pump fuse, and crank it few times to get the rings moving a bit.

install every thing back together, start the car, let it warm up for about 10 mins, shut it off and do a compression test or a leak down test. This will determine if your engine is a good condition or requires rebuild(before you add any mods).

If the results a good, then I do suggest to replace your valve conver seals, timing belt, water pump (if the car has been sitting for two years, chances some rusty fluids are collect on the water pump blades), rear main seal, inspect your accessory belts, and definitely don't start the car with the gas that is in gas tank, empty it and refill it with some fresher gas, also replace your gas filter.

If I remember any thing else I will added it, but I think that would cover it.You injectors might be clogged.

PULSAR GTRRafi

[burnout 180]

I don't know anything about compression test.So here are a few questions i have about it:

What do you need to do a compression test?

How do you do a compression test?

What does this test tell you and should good results be high or low?

Feel free to answer

Thats all.

[pulsar gtr]

Well there are too types of tests that you can do, a compression test and a leak down test. both are good, but I believe the leak down test gives better and more accurate results especially if you are troubleshouting a leak in the valves or rings

Compression test, will let you know if your piston rings and the valves are in a good condition, a good used ca18det should read any where from 135-165 psi.But in order to do the compression test, you need to run the car for about 10 mins to allow for the rings to expand a bit.

Here is how you do compression test1) run the car for 10mins, shut it off, remove ALL spark plugs.2) install the compression gauge hose where spark plug goes (the hose will screw where the plug go).3)disconnect your ignitor plug and your fuel pump fuse, in order to avoid floading engine or car catching on fire, spark and fuel in the open enviroment isn't a good idea).3) get one of your buddies to crank the car, watch the compression gauge needle rise untill that it can't rise any more, thats where your compression is, do the rest of the cylinders using the same method.4) Refer to the fsm, it will walk you through it step by step,.

To do the leak down test, you need a good air compressor to hook up to the gauge, but done in the same method as the compression test, but you don't crank the car, you need to hook a 27mm socket onto your crank pulley and slowly turn the crank while watching the gauge and see where it peaks at, when it peaks the needle should slowly go down, if it goes down very quick, even though it reached green, you have a leak somewhere which can be caused by bad headgasket, valves or just weak piston rings, on the gauge your got three colors, red = bad , yellow = ok, green = real good.

I hope that helps

PULSAR GTRRafi

[burnout 180]

so to do both of these test all i need is a compression gauge and a air compressor?Anyone know a web site where i can buy the compression gauge from?Also i can use a regular air compressor right?

[burnout 180]

Should i bother changing any:gasket kits or sealsBrake padsBeltsCoilsFilters

Or should i stick to "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

[sdtouge]

the compression test you can pick up from your local auto store, them come with a bunch of diff. fittings so just pick the one thats right for you....

new gaskets would be just a saftey measure i guess, maybe a head gasket wouldnt hurt, new oil pump wouldnt hurt.

i guess the rear main seal also has a tendency to leak on the ca so just check out your engine and fix whatever looks broken or damaged.