Timing chain/oil leak/front seal?

[USAFs13]

Before I go out and buy a ton of unnecessary parts figured I would ask here first. I have a 90 model hatch with the k24e (swapping end of the year) and in the meantime I need to make the car a little more reliable.

I have the obvious timing chain rattle so I was going to get that replaced, but I've also noticed oil caked up in certain areas. I had the alternator out awhile ago and it was coved in oil. I have also noticed the smell of coolant and I checked for leaks and didnt see any. I plan to replace the thermostat, timing chain, and water pump to see if that will remedy some of the issues. The car is also having a hard time after start up. Almost always (especially now that its cold) the car will start up fine and kind of act like its trying hard to stay on and if I take off it will cut off as soon as i stop but once it warms up completely I have no problems out of it. Timing off? As far as the coolant smell could that be from the chain possibly eating through the timing cover and mixing with the oil? Havent been able to check yet but going to drop the car off with a mechanic back home and hoping to fix this all in one time around.

[fliprayzin240sx]

If you dont plan on keeping it, I wont even bother changing the timing chain. Its easier/faster to change the whole engine than change the damn chains in a KA.

You can start by buying a couple cans of brake cleaner and start spraying the engine bay with it. Clean up the caked up oil, should help you see where the oil leak is coming out. I've had the same issue on my current car, I bought an oil additive to ease the leak and it seems to help. I used to go thru 1/4 qt every 2 weeks, just leaking it out.

As far as the coolant smell, it could be a leak from anything and everything. No, timing chain has nothing to do with it. If its something you're smelling inside the engine bay, it could be coming from the radiator, water pump leaking, or just old lines leaking.

Go ahead and change the water pump and thermo. Its not exactly hard to do. Do the belts, fresh spark plugs, distributor rotor/cap and new ignition wires would do wonders too. Throw in a can of Sea Foam in the gas tank and maybe another can thru one of the vacuum lines to clean up the intake manifold and combustion chamber...

[Kingtal0n]

Before I go out and buy a ton of unnecessary parts figured I would ask here first. I have a 90 model hatch with the k24e (swapping end of the year) and in the meantime I need to make the car a little more reliable.

I have the obvious timing chain rattle so I was going to get that replaced, but I've also noticed oil caked up in certain areas. I had the alternator out awhile ago and it was coved in oil. I have also noticed the smell of coolant and I checked for leaks and didnt see any. I plan to replace the thermostat, timing chain, and water pump to see if that will remedy some of the issues. The car is also having a hard time after start up. Almost always (especially now that its cold) the car will start up fine and kind of act like its trying hard to stay on and if I take off it will cut off as soon as i stop but once it warms up completely I have no problems out of it. Timing off? As far as the coolant smell could that be from the chain possibly eating through the timing cover and mixing with the oil? Havent been able to check yet but going to drop the car off with a mechanic back home and hoping to fix this all in one time around.

1. The total cost of all repairs and tune ups done to your engine should not exceed $500, because for a similar price, you can usually find a newer model KA24DE Engine and install it.

2. To locate the leaks, I would first pressure clean the engine bay if possible. "Brake Kleen" WILL work but you will use many cans of it and it is more expensive. I would save the brake kleen for after the pressure wash, to get whatever is left.

3. If oil and coolant is mixing you can usually tell by pulling the dip stick. The oil will look milky. It should be fairly obvious, but have someone else look if you are not sure.

4. You may have a leak in the plumbing between the MAF sensor and the engine. To verify you can make a "leak check" device, also known as a "boost leak checker" for fairly cheap using home depot parts. In your case, I would simply inspect the plumbing thoroughly, check the couplers for tears and the plastic for holes. change your air filter if you have not, I hope you are using the OEM air filter assembly and not an aftermarket piece.
the timing is an unlikely culprit in your "cold start issue".
You may also want to replace the coolant temp sensor for diagnostic purposes, use one from a junk yard to keep cost down.

[initial_jc]

if the oil is getting flung onto the alternator all you really need to do is replace the front seal. i had that problem on my old s13.

Its located behind the main pulley. Take off the belts, use breaker bar to loose the pulley, remove keyway, pliers to remove old seal, replace seal carefully make sure its seated correctly, replace pulley.
Its not very difficult to change. shouldnt come out more then 12 bucks at autozone.
I think you have to call it the front timing cover seal, idk why but thats how they can find it.