KA24DE with a mind of it's own

[stampede_dude]

Here's the story:

My car has always been sluggish accelerating, and feeling like it lacks power. I thought it was normal since my car ('93 240SX) has an automatic transmission.

One day, my stock radiator started leaking. After replacing it with a new radiator, the car woke up! It accelerated much harder and faster, and it felt like I gained around 20 horsepower. It felt much more 'normal'.

Nowadays, the car is always in limbo between being sluggish and being 'normal'. I am not totally sure this is a contributing factor, but it seems that the power gain is only experienced when the thermostat opens up, which is when the temperature meter goes slightly above half way.

Also, every once in a while, my car's engine goes cold. unusually cold. Every once in a blue moon, I'll romp down on the pedal and the car will start getting colder...?

I have no clue what the problem is. I would like for my car to provide the 'normal' power all the time. I was thinking of putting a new header on my car, but wanted to work out this problem first. I have searched the forum and I haven't really found anyone with the same problems.

Thanks!

[LayNLow]

Check your coolant level. My car was going full cold at high rpm, turned out it was a little low on coolant. Be sure to jack it up so the radiator is the highest point, turn on the heater to full blast and crack open the bleeder screw they start it up. Add coolant as it needs. Be sure you let the car get to full operating temp.

[drftthatshit]

i have the same problem where is the bleeder screw on the ka's idk if this makes a diffrence but i have the single cam would the bleeder screw be in a diffrent place?

[punxva]

your coolant temp sensor sounds like the problem... since it makes your ecu think its still warming up and making it rich... its a very typical ka problem

[drftthatshit]

i have replaced both the sensors the one to the ecu and the one to the car also a new o2 sensor thermo and fan clutch still reads cold 160f to be exact i know this because i used a lazer temp sensor on the thermo housing