i am about to buy an auto s13 hatch with 200xxx miles. but right now it is not running. today i went to check it out and talk with the guy selling it and he said that he was driving it and it just died. he thought it was probably the timing chain. i asked him if before this the engine would rattle at start up and he said it did all the time when he would start it. when i was there i had him try to start it and it would crank and then sound very nasty. we havent discussed a price on the car yet but he wants me to shoot him an offer.
my questions are:1. whats a good price for the car. 2. what am i getting myself into replacing the timing chain or whatever it takes to get the car in running order?
thanks,jayk
timing chain replacement
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unanswerred
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:49 pm
- Car: 1991 240sx hatch, 1995 240sx SE shell
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vancouverbc
- Posts: 3197
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:30 am
- Car: 1991 240sx
Re: timing chain replacement (unanswerred)
s13 is not very specific . a lot of variation between 1989 and 1994.
timing chain rattles on all s13's. its just the bracket. you really need to know if it is the timing chain that is the problem.
look up timing in my tutorial link in my signature.
timing chain rattles on all s13's. its just the bracket. you really need to know if it is the timing chain that is the problem.
look up timing in my tutorial link in my signature.
Re: timing chain replacement (unanswerred)
Its so easy to check the timing chain main, just pop off the valve cover and see how the chain thats attached to the cams looks. Its possible that the lower timing chain broke though. To check that, get a 27mm socket and attach it to the main pulley bolt. If you can turn the engine, and the cams dont turn then the lower timing chain is broken. Also check to see if the timing chain guide, that connects to the top of the heads(under the valve cover between the two cam sprockets) is broken off. That can cause some pretty serious damage, or even result in a broken timing chain.
The thing is, when a timing chain breaks you can have a world of damage done to the engine. Pistons can hit valves is the big thing. That would mean you needed to pull your heads and replace valves.
That car is for sure worth less than 1000 dollars. Your not really giving us enough info to gage accurately a fair price. I mean, hows the body, interior, transmission, ect ect. Also, with 200k on the odom, that takes a huge chunk out of the value of the car. Because the cars and auto, thats a price drop as well.
The timing chain itself is a pretty serious ordeal. You might be better off just replacing the whole engine itself. With 200k on the odom, the engine is in its last leg of life. You can pick up running ka's for pretty cheap. However, if you chose to replace the timing chain you need to lower the oil pan to take off the lower timing cover. You also need to take off the crank pulley, and all the belts. Then, valve cover, upper timing cover, and finally the lower timing chain cover.
The thing is, when a timing chain breaks you can have a world of damage done to the engine. Pistons can hit valves is the big thing. That would mean you needed to pull your heads and replace valves.
That car is for sure worth less than 1000 dollars. Your not really giving us enough info to gage accurately a fair price. I mean, hows the body, interior, transmission, ect ect. Also, with 200k on the odom, that takes a huge chunk out of the value of the car. Because the cars and auto, thats a price drop as well.
The timing chain itself is a pretty serious ordeal. You might be better off just replacing the whole engine itself. With 200k on the odom, the engine is in its last leg of life. You can pick up running ka's for pretty cheap. However, if you chose to replace the timing chain you need to lower the oil pan to take off the lower timing cover. You also need to take off the crank pulley, and all the belts. Then, valve cover, upper timing cover, and finally the lower timing chain cover.
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unanswerred
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:49 pm
- Car: 1991 240sx hatch, 1995 240sx SE shell
Re: timing chain replacement (480sx)
i talked with the guy again and he said he wanted 200 for it. its a 91. its black and has the common "loss of gloss" on the black paint. other than that theres really no major dings or dents on the exterior. and other than the automatic shifter tainting the interior, everything thing else inside is clean and pretty legit for as old as it is.
it sounds like it would probably be a good idea to swap in a fresh ka and manual trans. or maybe an sr? because i plan on boosting once the manual transmission is in.
it sounds like it would probably be a good idea to swap in a fresh ka and manual trans. or maybe an sr? because i plan on boosting once the manual transmission is in.
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vancouverbc
- Posts: 3197
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:30 am
- Car: 1991 240sx
Re: timing chain replacement (unanswerred)
you cant lose at $200.unanswerred wrote:i talked with the guy again and he said he wanted 200 for it. its a 91. its black and has the common "loss of gloss" on the black paint. other than that theres really no major dings or dents on the exterior. and other than the automatic shifter tainting the interior, everything thing else inside is clean and pretty legit for as old as it is.
it sounds like it would probably be a good idea to swap in a fresh ka and manual trans. or maybe an sr? because i plan on boosting once the manual transmission is in.
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unanswerred
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:49 pm
- Car: 1991 240sx hatch, 1995 240sx SE shell
Re: timing chain replacement (vancouverbc)
yea thats what i was thinking. plus living in nebraska i dont see many 240's. this is actually the only one ive ever seen in real life.
i think im going to just swap in a new engine and manual trans. what would be cheaper though all together and sr or ka with trans swap.
i think im going to just swap in a new engine and manual trans. what would be cheaper though all together and sr or ka with trans swap.
Re: timing chain replacement (vancouverbc)
if you dont buy it you deserve a even if you buy a used KA for 300 or so your still in good shape as long as the body isnt rusted outvancouverbc wrote:
you cant lose at $200.
Re: timing chain replacement (unanswerred)
As long as its not rusted out, 200 bucks is a steal.
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unanswerred
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:49 pm
- Car: 1991 240sx hatch, 1995 240sx SE shell
Re: timing chain replacement (480sx)
yea its got a few really small rust spots. the siderails look pretty solid. although i havent thorougly checked them. the exterior is in really good condition as is the interior. im going to be paying the guy soon and he agreed to keep it stored in his garage because i need to sell one of my vehicles so ill have a safe spot for it in my garage. i think at this point im set on an sr swap. im going to but a sr and transmission and just take a stab at it myself. or with the help of some local guys if i can find any in my area interrested in helping throw together an sr hatch!