Very low torque/hp

Post by **TraceTheory** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:13 am

So I just bought a 93 240sx coupe (auto, but doing a manual coversion asap)...

but my car seems to idle low(500ish), and it has absolutly no torque. even if i slam on the gas it bearly pulls (0-30 takes almost a block) but when it shifts into 2nd it feels like it pulls harder then 1st. (have not timed it but, seems like 30-60 is faster then 0-30 )

i was reading that low idle and low hp/torque can be because of a fuel filter, but it sounded like they said it sounded like their engines were going to die, and mine sounds fine... i'm going to check it anyway but before I go out and buy anything wanted to hear what you guys have to say

gonna do a compression test on it later today see if anything is up there

Post by **33alez33** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:52 am

If you have a KA24 then slow is normal. My KA24 just broke 100000miles and is running perfect and I can only manage a 0-60 of 8 point something agonizing seconds, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes 9 seconds, so go find somewhere safe to time it. You could also check your plugs but it doesn't sound like you are having any issues other than it being slow so you should time it and see if it's just the normal slow.

Post by **TraceTheory** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:59 am

33alez33 wrote:If you have a KA24 then slow is normal. My KA24 just broke 100000miles and is running perfect and I can only manage a 0-60 of 8 point something agonizing seconds, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes 9 seconds, so go find somewhere safe to time it. You could also check your plugs but it doesn't sound like you are having any issues other than it being slow so you should time it and see if it's just the normal slow.

Well that's what I thought at first too, then I remebered driving my friend's 240sx (10hp less then my engine), and mine was noticably slower...

Also, my engine has 176,xxx miles, a bit more then yours

Post by pj » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:03 am

check your catalytic converter!!!

Post by **blacksrjdm** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:24 am

TraceTheory wrote:Well that's what I thought at first too, then I remebered driving my friend's 240sx (10hp less then my engine), and mine was noticably slower...

Also, my engine has 176,xxx miles, a bit more then yours

Is his car manual or auto? Auto 240sx's are really not at all fast. Also, the engine is 16 years old, and who knows how it was treated before you bought it. It may be tired. May be time for a freshening up. Also, mileage to me doesnt mean any damn thing at all. If it was taken better care of then a lower mileage engine U might be better off with a lower mileage engine. I would do a full complete tune up, swap to the manual, get a lightweight flywheel and good clutch, and see how you like it then. Just so you know, a stock KA is no high hp race engine, it is a good all around economic engine. Was used in the pickups and 4 cylinder Xterra's. It is not by any means meant to be what we all turn them into. Good luck with it, and I would spend alot of time in the ka forums and kat forums, read up on what you have and search at least 3 times before you write another thread.

Post by **urcaptnspeaking** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:33 am

your timing may be off. Sometimes youll feel a noticeable "boost" in the higher RPM's when its out of time. I would almost bet my $.50 thats what it is.

Post by **freakyjason** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:03 am

I don't think it's his timing. If his timing was off, he would notice rough idling and running rich/bad gas mileage but he said his engine sounds fine. Try getting some 0-60 times but 240's (especially autos) are disappointingly slow in stock form.

Post by **urcaptnspeaking** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:12 am

my engine idled fine, but the timing was out. It did run a little rich though.

Post by pj » Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:30 pm

urcaptnspeaking wrote:my engine idled fine, but the timing was out. It did run a little rich though.

i have the same problem, and it refuses to be fixed...

and OP, check the darn cat. most of the other symptoms listed the car would jerk or act erratic, not just be slow and boggy (i assume)

unbolt it and take it down replace it with a straight pipe, if the car acts the same ( it will be noticably louder though but pay no mind to noise) then its somthing else, limp mode perhaps?if it frees it up and you notice it revs up and drops faster, then its yoru culprit.i say this again because it has happened to me before and it fixed my problem

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:39 pm

Check your fuel system. Could be a leak somewhere or your fuel pump.

Post by **urcaptnspeaking** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:43 pm

Yeah Ive been through two of the same problems and are easy "fixes" but I could never get them completely right...no idea why. My motor let go soon after that.. hah. So be careful.

Post by pj » Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:42 pm

oh man...yeah ive been thinking ye olde ka-e may not last too much longer.i think my transmission may go first though...been tooling it all damn afternoon...its functional but it sure isnt being quiet about it lol...good thing ive been thinking about picking up a bike...

Post by **TraceTheory** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:47 pm

0-60 times:13 seconds18 seconds (turning into it)

thanks for all the responses, ill try some of them with in a day or so after i get my locks, windows, and seat belts fixed...

Post by **White Comet** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:49 pm

TraceTheory wrote:Well that's what I thought at first too, then I remebered driving my friend's 240sx (10hp less then my engine), and mine was noticably slower...

Also, my engine has 176,xxx miles, a bit more then yours

if your friend's is the single cam iirc they have more torque then the dohc's. but don't quote me on that, i've pushed all the ka info out of my head to make room for new stuff.

Post by **Guam180** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:57 am

Do you also get it when slowing down only to try and get back up to speed? Like when slowing for a red light only for the light to turn green at the last second?

Post by **TraceTheory** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:27 am

Found the issue, but not really sure what to do about it.... the first cylinder is dead. The spark plug fires, but nothing happens with it.... (engine runs and sounds the SAME with no spark plug in cylinder one....

Any ideas whats up?

also, doing a compressing test within the next 10 mins, will post results

Post by **TraceTheory** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:40 am

1: 1502: 1403: 1304: 125

Uh..... soo....

Fuel injector..?

Post by pj » Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:02 pm

if it sparks but doesnt fire then, yeah id say faulty injector...check the wiring to the actual injector first, then the piece itself.and if you have one out the car should be running slow and like a piece of crap.

Post by **TraceTheory** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:41 pm

Yea, the injector is getting power... I would switch two to see if thats what it is(not really sure what else it would be) but the screws are like butter, when i try and turn them it just strips.. so gotta figure out how to get out the screws now

Post by **TraceTheory** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:49 pm

Replaced the injector, car runs beautifully now

Post by **Tsukiko** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:35 pm

so refreshing for a Nico member with such a low posting number to exude so much win. I applaud you, sir.