The "I'm New Here And I have A Simple Question Thread" v2.0

[S13_Craw4d]

A month or two ago i purchased a 92 S13. Its rough and i knew it was going to be a project car but after getting registered and on the road it ran for a week and just died. I was driving normal and at about 40/50 (idk really since the speedo doesnt work) and the engine died. I pulled to the side and it would just crank and crank. Walked to Advanced auto parts and talked to a 30 year Nissan Tech and he gave me some options. Went back to the car and got it started after a ton of cranks and drove it to the store, while keeping the rpm above 1200/1300. After changing the fuel filter and fuel lines and injector gasket rings i left the fuel alone. Checked the spark plugs and distributor timing after i changed the head gasket for the low compression. Compression is now 120-130 on each cylinder with all timing perfect, and spark is strong. The engine just wants to flood and will crank with no start. Might lurch over a few times but cant get going. We have no idea whats wrong. Sound familiar to anyone? I feel like the answer is stupid easy but we've checked everything. Ive probably forgotten to mention other tests but we've done it all! Help! I want my baby to run!! Thanks!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

First off, congrats on the purchase and welcome to NICO!

You're sure you're getting too much fuel? If you hold the pedal down during cranking, it should cut fuel during cranking to help clear the cylinders (and also suck in more air).
Other possibilities are:
bad MAF
bad coolant temp sensor
bad fuel pressure regulator
bad idle air control valve not letting in enough air


A "quick fix" would be to introduce a vacuum leak between the MAF and throttle body so you can suck in some un-metered air. You could do it after the throttle body as well (just to get it running/try it out), but the engine probably wont run as smoothly. Basically just pull a vacuum line and let it suck in air hah.

[S13_Craw4d]

I forgot to ask if this would make a difference. I have a 92 body with what i believe is a 95 (so definitely s14 just dunno year) engine, with an unknown year manual transmission, all hooked up to this lovely 94 Auto ECU. Would this cause problems? If so what ECU should i grab from a salvage yard or something to make the 95 engine run?? THANKS

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I think if you just swap the S14 intake manifold with an S13, all your sensors and things should plug up. I wonder what harness is in there?

[S13_Craw4d]

Is there an easy way to tell?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I can't think of a way off the top of my head. Is there anything funny looking under the hood, like some wires or connections not hooked to anything? Anything cut?

[S13_Craw4d]

Nothing was disconnected or anything. There were 2 wires for the knock sensor with only one connected but the wiring diagram said that there is only supposed to be one. Some body wiring is disconnected but thats for blinkers and stuff i think.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yeah very weird. Does it happen randomly (do you still drive it?), or is does it happen when it gets hot?

I guess I'd say at that point check for spark, although you already said it seems like its flooding.
Flooding typically is:
MAF
Coolant Temp Sensor
fuel pressure

If your valve timing is way way off, you could be not sucking in as much air as you would normally which would make it seem like it is flooding as well.

FYI- holding the gas to the floor while cranking should cut fuel and help clear the cylinders if it has too much fuel being dumped in. How does your oil smell? If it flooded badly enough, it could have contaminated it and you'll want to change it out (it'll smell like gas).

[fundrive590]

Probably a dumb question, sorry to ask, but i have tried to search for the creator of the article. Im trying to figure out what the difference in this article http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/howtoo ... grack.html and using an actual manuel rack would be i am trying to save money with this budget drift car. I have a s13 with a rb25det swap. And also wondering if i was to copy what this guy did and maybe use a quickener if it would be ok. What the difference in the gearing of the racks and so fprth. Thanks to whomever takes the time to get back with me on this issue.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I'm guessing the manual rack has a different gearing and turns lock to lock than the power steering rack has. Its also probably a lot smaller and more compact, but I've never looked at one for a 240.

The article was written by Ian Seppanen, username FlatBlackIan.

[fundrive590]

Thank you much for your time kimd sir.

[S13_Craw4d]

Yeah very weird. Does it happen randomly (do you still drive it?), or is does it happen when it gets hot?

I guess I'd say at that point check for spark, although you already said it seems like its flooding.
Flooding typically is:
MAF
Coolant Temp Sensor
fuel pressure

If your valve timing is way way off, you could be not sucking in as much air as you would normally which would make it seem like it is flooding as well.

FYI- holding the gas to the floor while cranking should cut fuel and help clear the cylinders if it has too much fuel being dumped in. How does your oil smell? If it flooded badly enough, it could have contaminated it and you'll want to change it out (it'll smell like gas).

I havent driven it in a couple weeks and that day i got it to run was the day after i changed the headgasket and it ran funny (had only the exhaust manifold so idk if it was that or the engine) and only made it about 3 miles and died. It RAN RAN about 16 weeks ago and then it died. Little bit of white smoke and thats it. After i fixed the cooling issues but now i cant even get it started. Thats where i'm at. Once i get the money for some hosing and gaskets i can put the manifolds back on and try again.

[billyinse82]

just picked up a 97 240sx automatic last friday and it does a few things i am worried about.
firstly the oil light comes on when i turn off the car. it is off while driving but as soon as i park it and turn the key to the off position the light comes on. yes it has oil in it.

secondly, also while the car is turned off, when you press the brake pedal the air bag light comes on. ( it is on while driving as well from what i was told the previous owner tried to replace the steering wheel and messed up the clock spring) i am worried that these 2 issues are wiring problems and am looking for a good place to start with diagnosing them.


any help is greatly appreciated. thank you.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

just picked up a 97 240sx automatic last friday and it does a few things i am worried about.
firstly the oil light comes on when i turn off the car. it is off while driving but as soon as i park it and turn the key to the off position the light comes on. yes it has oil in it.

secondly, also while the car is turned off, when you press the brake pedal the air bag light comes on. ( it is on while driving as well from what i was told the previous owner tried to replace the steering wheel and messed up the clock spring) i am worried that these 2 issues are wiring problems and am looking for a good place to start with diagnosing them.


any help is greatly appreciated. thank you.

Typically the oil light will be on if your key is in the "ON" position but the vehicle isn't running. It sounds like you are in the "ACC" position though when the light comes on, so yeah that's weird.


I don't really have any advice for the airbag problem. I guess you'll have to download the factory service manual (a link for which is in my signature) and go hunting wires.

[billyinse82]

Typically the oil light will be on if your key is in the "ON" position but the vehicle isn't running. It sounds like you are in the "ACC" position though when the light comes on, so yeah that's weird.


i can take the key out, go inside and 5hrs later the light is still on...

[PapaSmurf2k3]

i can take the key out, go inside and 5hrs later the light is still on...

hahaha sounds like someone has it wired up to some sort of constant power supply as opposed to a key-on power supply only.

[allenms240]

Hello again,
I just installed a new power steering rack. One wheel is straight with the steering wheel, but the passenger one is slightly turned right. I can't drive like this.
Did I install the column on in the wrong direction? How should I go about re installing it to ensure the uneven toe doesn't happen again?
Thanks for the help as always!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Adjust your tie rod ends?
AKA get an alignment. Just adjust it yourself to the point that it is driveable.

[allenms240]

Even though the toe was correct with the previous rack? I didn't adjust the toe rods at all, and I'm not sure I can make enough of an adjustment to compensate for the additional toe on the one side (not enough room on toe rod)

[PapaSmurf2k3]

yeah that's pretty odd that one side stayed straight and the other got all out of wack if you didn't adjust anything. Are you sure you got the right rack? I'd verify that first and then at least try to get it pointing semi-straight and see how much thread engagement you have left with the tie rod end.

[CaliforniaMayhem]

Hi,

I have searched this site and others but cannot find the answer for this rim.
Will skyline R32 GTR Rims (16x8 +30) clear z32 30mm calipers on a S13 chassis?
I will be running z32 rear's as well but I assume fitment will be fine.

Thanks,

Vince

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Not sure. If they don't, you can always just run a spacer.

[ImportSweetheart]

Ive got a really simple newby question.. lol.

Where is the throttle body located on a 95 240sx?

The car has a hard time starting in the winter, and I was told to open the throttle to help it out and then try and crank on it.
I have heard of this before I just don't know where it is.

Thanks!

[CaliforniaMayhem]

Not sure. If they don't, you can always just run a spacer.

I'll keep you guys posted then because I already ordered the rims.

[CaliforniaMayhem]

Ive got a really simple newby question.. lol.

Where is the throttle body located on a 95 240sx?

The car has a hard time starting in the winter, and I was told to open the throttle to help it out and then try and crank on it.
I have heard of this before I just don't know where it is.

Thanks!

You can achieve the same throttle body response by using the gas pedal (you will also induce more fuel this way though). If you pop the hood and stare straight into the engine bay, the throttle body is on the left side of the motor, in front of the IM (intake manifold) if I'm not mistaken. That's how it is on my 240 and since we both have the same KA... should be similar.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yeah just follow the biggest tube under the hood. There should be cable going to a round pulley type looking thing. The cable pulls on that (which you can also move by hand) to open the butterfly valve inside the tube (thus letting more air in).

FYI, if you keep the gas floored while cranking, it should cut the fuel (so you can clear it out if its flooded, or you're getting too much fuel for some reason).

[PapaSmurf2k3]

If you still can't figure it out, have someone in the car hit the gas (while its off) while you look under the hood. It should be the only thing that moves.

[GOFASTER]

Hi guys,
I read the article about replacing the fuel injectors, and it has a link to the deatschworks website, so I went there, but now I'm wondering what size of injector to get, because there are options ranging from 270cc/min all the way up to 950 and possibly higher, all under the 240sx 91-98 category.
I'm guessing it depends on something either really obvious or really obscure, like Minimum Pulse Width or Coil Impedance??
Thanks a lot!
[url][http://www.deatschwerks.com/products/fu ... -240sx/url]

[PapaSmurf2k3]

What are your goals? 270cc is the stock size, so if you get anything other than that, you'll need some sort of engine management (or at the very least an adjustable fuel pressure regulator).

If you are going turbo, you'll need larger than stock.

[GOFASTER]

What are your goals? 270cc is the stock size, so if you get anything other than that, you'll need some sort of engine management (or at the very least an adjustable fuel pressure regulator).

If you are going turbo, you'll need larger than stock.

Not going turbo any time soon, but where would I start a search for a an AFPR?
Also, what else would I need if I go with the 550cc and an in-tank fuel pump package?[http://www.deatschwerks.com/products/po ... detail/url]
As far as goals, just always wanted to replace the stock injectors, as I'm sure they haven't been replaced for 19 years, and perhaps a boost in hp of course.

Thanks, PapaSmurf