Opinions Needed

[snowyred180]

I need an opinon. I bought a 1993 Nissan 240sx KA24DE in April. 3 months later the engine blew due to a warped head or blown head gasket. I've had all the gaskets replaced so it'slooking like a warped head. It also leaks oil (I always checked the oil so it wasn't anything to do with the oil). It was parked in the driveway and I noticed a nice pink puddle under the car. I think the transmission fluid pan might be leaking from the gasket. Here's a pic:

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Before the engine kicked the bucket, the transmission was shifting a little hard. So I don't know how long the auto trans has left on it... (I also dispise auto trans.) I went all the way to Georgia to buy this car and I live in Ohio, so I can't sell the car. Also, I'm on a budget. I need an opinion on what you would do in this case (without selling the car). Everything besides the engine/trans is in good condition. Prices for engines are listed below. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Any ideas where I'm leaking a/t fluid too. Thanks.

New Nissan head- $1300Reman head- $400 (Auto Zone)Reman engine- $1400 (Auto Zone)Used Engine from 1995- $500Auto -> Manual conversion $450-800?

[babowc]

that pinkish puddle could be your ps fluid.

anyways,why the outrageous prices from autozone?just rebuild your current motor or buy one from someone whos switching the ka for sr.

auto to manual conversions shouldnt cost upwards of 800...maybe 500.

[JNM240]

I cant tell from the pictures where the transmission is leaking from. It could be just the pan seal, it could be some of the transmission seals (look for a new transmission in that case). Get some brake cleaner and clean all that fluid off, then jack the car up, block the wheels, start it, crawl under with a flashlight, and look for leaks.

As for the motor, have you checked the head for straightness? Any machine shop should be able to do that, and deck it if still in tolerances. A new head might not be the answer when you can just machine the one you have for way less. A total rebuild should not be necessary with just a blown head gasket.

[SPIRONIUM]

What is with this? Go to a junkyard with some tools and pull your own complete engine with manual trans for ~300$, or just the head for less than 100 or look elsewhere for a used engine why the hell would u spend over 1000 for a new head? This forum is crazy sometimes

[SPIRONIUM]

also did u ever stop and put two and two together about your trans losing fluid and not shifting right?

[snowyred180]

I tried the transmission test and it's looking like the pan gasket. Thanks. Oh, and FYI, I have made that connection between the shifting and the leaking... I'm not as dumb as I look. Just wondering, is there a decent rebuild kit available for the engine for a reasonable price? What is the chance that if the head is replaced, the block will fail? (i.e very probable, not likely, ect.)

[SPIRONIUM]

Again it is cheaper to replace the entire engine rather than to rebuild it AND you can get your manual trans and associated parts. I just bought a complete ka24de with manual transmission with 146K miles for 100 bucks plus gas money for a friend with a truck who picked it up with me, look around and you can find a similar price. Assuming that the engine and trans you find comes with all the misc things (clutch slave, correct trans bracket, complete shifter) you'll then need a clutch pedal, master cylinder, clutch lines, trans wiring harness, and driveshaft if you want to swap to manual all of which should cost around ~$100.

The total is ~250$ to 650$ ABSOLUTE MAX (if you also replace clutch itself) for everything needed to have your car running well with no leaks and converted to manual transmission

All of the little details can be searched for please do so

[snowyred180]

well, given the circumstances I just wanted to find the most reliable and economical solution I could find thus the lack of search. Where is your location and where the hell did you get that deal?!? I'm in Ohio so I get the rusty parts for jacked up prices... I personally think that $20 for an ash tray is highway robbery. and yes, I know , but I have sort of an unusaul situation.

P.S> I used to own a 91 MX-6 so I'm familiar with the too much rust, not enoguh bolt thing )

[SPIRONIUM]

I'm in DC, post a WTB in the classifieds at least and search your local junkyards instead of posting here. 100$ isn't really much of a deal just find someone who is trying to get rid of their old **** for an sr20 some ppl even give away their old KAs. It took me a few weeks to find a "deal' that is within 45mins of me. So just keep looking around, KAs are always up in the air. Good luck to you

[snowyred180]

Thanks. No one has any 240's in a local junkyard, believe me I've tried searching...

[nismoracingsx]

yes yes, post in the classifieds, someone is giving me their ka-e for free cuz mine blew up

[snowyred180]

yeah, I saw someone who wrecked theirs giving a 24de away fro free, they were 10 hours away though

[nismoracingsx]

i got lucky, my motor is only like 2.3 hours away or so, and my boss is gonna help meh get it

[HaXoRsMoBiLe]

I know for a fact that Advance sells a gasket kit for that transmission, worst case scenario itd be a 1-2 day wait, and its around 20 dollars(gasket and filter and some other misc stuff)so unless you really want a manual swapping would be a waste(unless you happened to get the motor and transmission together cheap)rebuild kits-gaskets are cheap at advance/auto zonerest of the parts all over the place on the interneti would hook you up with a head but mine is SOHC man-look around your bound to find something-Paul