Engine Stalls

[rubbersidedown]

I'm looking at buying another 240sx at the moment. The car is beatiful except for one problem... the engine keeps trying to stall and sometimes succeedes. The engine runs fine when you first start the car. When it finally warms up then it'll sometimes start jumping around like its missing or something. Then when you drive it, the rpms will drop real low and sometimes stall when you put the clutch in. The car isn't blowing any smoke and isn't leaking any oil, that i can see at least. The engine has the normal ticking lifters but it sounds like there is another sound too. Its similar to the lifter ticking but its more of a hollow sound and its more towards the front of the engine, near the radiator. I dunno if that helps at all. If anyone could help me out with this little problem it would be greatly appreciated. If i'm being to vague or anyone needs more info then just ask, i'm probably leaving something out. I just wanna know what i'm getting into before i buy this car. Thanks in advance.

[mrmephistopheles]

check the timing.

[kalieaire]

is it running rich? do a power balance test.

if it's a cylinder causing problems, check hte wiring grounds for the injector harness, make sure all plugs are sparking.

etc etc etc.

[twofortyZ]

Sometimes when a spark plug loosens up, it will cause a sound similar to the hollow sound you are describing. I heard a 735 BMW do this, and it sounded like a loose wrist pin, or worse.

[rubbersidedown]

Originally posted by mrmephistopheles
check the timing.

I don't know all that much about timing. I do know that you use a timing gun that has the light and all, to adjust and check the timing normally. Unfortunately i don't have one. Is there any way to check it on site at this guy's house?

[mrmephistopheles]

not without a gun. you can adjust it, but it'll be like shooting in the dark.