Junk 240 sx: New to this. Want to know where to start
Posted by JustMeChris059@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 29 comments
I recently inherited a Nissan 240 sx s13 that has been sitting in my deceased relative’s garage since 2009. I have no background in repairing cars aside from an oil change once.
I want to get this thing up and running, as I care for the car a lot, and I want to fix it myself, I want to learn on this car. I don’t know where to start, so I was wondering if anyone with more experience was willing to share some pointers.
UNITE47@reddit
start with the basics: fresh fuel, new battery, coolant flush, and inspect all the rubber lines and hoses since 15 years of sitting eats them. if you're near Louisville, Dynosty does dyno testing once it's running again.
dscottj@reddit
Assuming your relative didn't also leave behind a big tool chest, expect to be going back and forth to the hardware store a LOT building up your own tool set.
Do some research on who makes the best value automotive tool sets (it used to be Craftsman, but today I'm not so sure) and pick an only-metric one up that has a broad selection of 3/8th sockets, along with at least some 1/4" and 1/2" (medium, small, and large sockets, respectively). Metric only because you simply won't need SAE even though lots of sets still include them.
A set of combo wrenches from 8mm to 19mm* would be next. Again, do a search for "best value sets," because some of the pro stuff can get EXPENSIVE.
You'll find you need more than this, but it will form the core of your tool set.
After that it's screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, vice grips (I've found the needle-nose style to be incredibly versatile), torque wrenches, crowfoot sets, deep sockets, multi-meters, short wrenches, flex-head ratchets, really the sky's the limit.
Don't buy all of it all at once. AI means you can ask one "what tools do I need to replace the spark plugs on a s13 240SX?" and get a detailed, accurate answer. Do that with each project and the tool chest will build itself.
And you do want the right tools whenever possible. If your research reveals that a 13mm wrench can be made to work, but you really want a flex head ratchet with a U-joint and a wobble extension... get those other tools. IME it can make the difference between a miserable hours-long struggle and a few minutes of tinkering.
YouTube University will be absolutely invaluable. Don't concentrate just on 240sx videos (I'm sure they're out there). Also search for "starting out" series, jobs common to all cars (spark plugs, oil changes, tire rotation, brake pad changes, etc. etc.) Those will get you up to speed quickly.
Good luck, have fun, and make sure you know where the band-aids are!
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* Or 7 - 21 mm, or whatever. Each manufacturer tends to zero in on a specific range of sizes. In my car's case it's 10, 13, 15, and 17mm, with (naturally) a liberal sprinkling of all the other sizes. Nissan is probably different but you'll find out quickly what it really is.
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
Very helpful, thanks
Fearlessleader85@reddit
Just so you know, the rule with 240sx projects is you have to buy a parts car, then in 4-5 years of working on your good one, you change your mind for one reason or another and decide your parts car is the good one, then you start swapping over the parts. This happens every 3-5 years until you sell them both to the next poor fool who will repeat the process.
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
lol, ok nut I need to learn on something
Fearlessleader85@reddit
Oh, it will be fun and you will learn a bunch. But it will be tough.
weasel5134@reddit
Alright Assuming it was running and driving when parked
It's sat for nearly 20 years
Pull the spark plugs and soak the cylinders in marvel mystery oil for like a week , as a precaution.
In the mean time check diff and trans oil
Then either by hand with a hot battery try cranking the engine over if it turns over smooth do an engine oil change and new spark plugs and see what you've got
Pyropete125@reddit
Id also try and get fresh fuel in the tank and lines. Maybe see if you can disconnect a fuel line and hot wire the pump. Be careful of sparks.
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
Thank you
og_speedfreeq@reddit
Do not try to start the car with any old gas in the tank! Drain all the old gas, or pump it out. Under the rear seat or they the trunk, you should be able to access the fuel pump/ sender unit. If it were me, I'd pull that and determine if/ how much rust is in the tank.
There are huge enthusiast communities for the 240/S13 chassis cars, so check online for the most popular forums. They will have answers to most common maintenance and modding questions.
This is going to be a great car to learn on! Congrats- seriously.
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
That’s encouraging 😅 but seriously, thank you
weasel5134@reddit
Be prepared to light stacks of cash on fire.
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
I know. I just want to get it to run once just to say I did it
Freudianslip1987@reddit
Look for a shop manual pdf if you want to print it out. It has everything you need to know to fix anything. Professional note. Take pictures and disassemble in a pattern do not just throw everything in a pile.
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
Right, thanks
Origin240sx@reddit
Just replace the fluids and and check for leaks after starting it.
If it makes you feel better 240sx in stock form are insanely reliable.
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
That definitely makes me feel better
SpaceCat72@reddit
Just for giggles... what year? Stick or auto? Color? Mileage? Pics?
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
94 automatic, white but the clear coat is GONE, need to check the odometer but I’ll try to find a pic for you.
SpaceCat72@reddit
Me personally...I always liked those. My ex had a 90 model with a 5 speed. Fun car. I say great project
Stitch_K@reddit
Start with spark, fuel and compression. An engine generally needs these 3 things to start. Find out what you're missing.
You can pull a spark plug out with it in the plug boot and lay it against something metal to see if you have spark. Can check fuel after cranking the engine and see if your spark plugs are wet
For compression you'll need a compression gauge
Since its sat for awhile, make sure the oil is at the right level before cranking on it. Its also possible the gas is bad if its sat (and won't start even with good spark and compression)
If the engine doesn't even crank or you just hear a click, its likely battery or starter related
These are all roughly the basics, but this uses 90s tech with sensors. This should have a process to pull codes at the ECM by turning a dial on the ecm itself.
Search around 240sx groups, they will have tons of info for you to dig into and research based on the test results from the above inspections
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
Thanks
hydrogen18@reddit
it's a 240sx, that's like gold if the body and frame is straight. List it on craigslist for $20000. No low ballers, you know what you got
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
Body and frame are fine, the clear coat is stripped to hell and back though.
Seriously though, I want to fix it.
hydrogen18@reddit
Do you have several bottomless pits of money available?
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
I’m not wanting to make it my daily driver or anything, I just want to get it to run
asscakesguy@reddit
Then you should start looking up what you need to do for a car that has been sitting for a while. Bare minimum you will need new fluids and a battery, and tires if you intend to actually drive it. That’s what I would start with along with draining the tank and some good fresh fuel to try to start it. But usually cars don’t get parked for close to 20 years unless they have a problem that is expensive to fix, so you could do all that and still need an engine.
JustMeChris059@reddit (OP)
Engine is fine, I know that. The person who owned it had kids and wanted a safer daily driver, didn’t drive it but was sentimental
hydrogen18@reddit
OK, one bottomless pit of money