nissan 240 sx beginner question(s)

[C.D.]

so this is my first post here, i am about to buy a 1990 nissan 240 sx from my girlfriends parents for $500. its very used and the body isnt' in the best shape but im not worried about that because i can fix that in time.

i was trying to look on the net to find some tips on fixing it when i came across this site. my only problem with it is, my girlfriends dad says there is a water leak and he says he thinks the part might be easy to fix. i don't know squat about cars but a buddy of mine is a whiz and he said he could do all the work if i paid for all of the parts.

he claims to be able to fix the problem but im not so sure he can because my girlfiends dad said you need to pull the whole engine out the get the the water leak.

another thing was when he started the car there was a weird clanking sound when he reved the engine, he seemed to not know what it was.

so i guess im just wondering if any of these problems are common or if anyone can give me some advice on if i should even bother with the car or not. im sorry i can't give more detailed specs but i can try to find out mroe about it today or tomorrow. i appreciate any type of help i can get.i did look around the site to see if i could find my problem but as i said i know squat about cars so i don't understand all of the ka,s14,s13 and all that.

[blindboy240]

i dont know much about that water leak but the "clanking" sound could either be a big problem or common 240 sound ......some of the older 240 engines often get exaust leaks that sound like a clanking noise ...but if it sounds like metel on metal then u could have a big problem called rod knock ......which pretty much means in simple turms ....ur ****ed

as to the engine part and s13,s14,s15 part ur car is a 1990 240sx (likely a hatch im predicting ) but either was it is called a s13 which is the generation and ur engine is most likely a ka24de ....correct me if im wrong but im trying to help out

later

[Silvia007]

Is there anyway you can tell where the water is leaking from, say front of engine, or rear of engine? On cars that old, usually it's the water pump that leaks. The water will then travel downwards to and around the oil pan then depending on the shape of your suspension causing your car to tilt in which ever direction, the coolant will travel in that direction and drip. As for the knock, does it do it when it's at idle? only reving? only when warmed? only when cold? Small info like that would be helpful. One big thing you should check is frame rust, usually if you are standing on the driver side looking at the brake cylinder (Big black round thing with a aluminum rod sticking out with a bottle on top), move your head directly down under the car. You should see the frame comming down and curves to match the direction of the ground. Right where it curves there, inspect with a screwdriver of some kind tapping it. 240's love to rust right there. If there's nothing visible but you can poke through it with a screw driver, for $500 dollars it's not a bad deal. If it's totally rusted out, I'd say time to move on.

Anyway, welcome to the club, and give us more info so that we can help you out a bit more.

[jday240]

A 1990 has a KA24E sohc (single overhead cam) if it has not been swapped. As for the leak or the sound we will need more info. If is a tap that gets faster when you rev the engine listen from the front to see if is coming from the valve cover (Nissan 2400 stamped on it). It could be the lifters/valves making noise...they will do that if you are either running old oil or if they have lost their prime because the car has been sitting up for a while. Mine did that after my recent rebuild until they primed up again (they are hydraulic). If the sound is a rattle only at startup it could be the timimg chain tensioners...parts are cheap but the labor on that is high. Hope this helps... welcome to NICO.

[bloodspread]

the lifter noise on my 1989 240sx sounds like a diesel truck but on a smaller scale. so that might be the problem with yours, but im in no hurry to fix mine because i see a sr20det in the near future.

[C.D.]

wow thanks for all the help.

i think the water leak is towards the front of the engine but the part that is leaking is kinda like deep in the engine under some other stuff so i would probably have to like pull the engine out to get to it.

the oil in it is probably really bad it has been sitting for about a year. it seems to make the rattle/clang noise when its reved. im hoping i can just give it a tune up and change the oil and it will be better. i will see about that rust and thanks guys very much.

[jday240]

The only water line that I can think of in the engine comparment that is difficult to get to is the bypass hose under the intake (ECCS stamped). To change it easily remove the power steering pump and then its mount. You don't have to remove the fluid lines going to it just the belt. Use a piece of wire to support its weight and keep it pulled out of the way. Next unbolt the alternator mount and pivot it out of the way. You should now be able to see and change the bypass hose. Have fun working on your car. And eihter download a free factory service manual here or buy one for $20.00 from your local auto parts store. Also, for a list of common problems and solutions see the FAQ page at http://www.240sx.org .