Bite the Bullet

[jess14]

Well, few of you may have read my post about all the problems I'm having with my 95 240sx. Well today I had one of my friends come over (ex-mechanic) and look around in the engine. He told me what was wrong and when we could get started on working on it. By the time we were done talking we drenched in sweat. I live in Florida and I don't have a garage. So we basically decided we wouldn't fix it today. I'm about done dealing with my car. I'm just going to bite the bullet and take it to Nissan. It's going to cost an arm and a leg but as soon as it's all fixed, I think I might sell it. Maybe some of you can talk me out of it. I'm thinking DSM or domestic.

[Pudula]

You idiot. that was me talking you out of it. Gotta stick with it man - I'm about 14 grand deep and a 9 months behind schedule on my SR swap but I'm not stopping until its right.

Ryan

[ZK]

I hear where you guys are coming from...

I hear stories of people having no problems with their SR swaps and other stuff but I've had nothing but problems with mine. Rarely does it drive the way it is supposed to and I am constantly dumping money into it to try to get it to run right.

No shop, mechanic or anyone has been able to figure out the problems with my engine.

It's my only car and a daily driver so it sucks having to drive around even though the car is running like crap. I just want my car to work! :(

[Bliss]

you want to take it to a dealership THEN sell it? You are hardly going to see any of the money you send to the dealership back when you sell it. You may want to price it out, and see whats best for you. Fixing it from Nissan, then sell....or sell w/ problems. good luck.

[cdlong]

you think a DSM or domestic is going to be any better than your car? collectively the worst pieces of crap on the road. just take it to a regular mechanic, no need to go to nissan. they always charge too much.

what's wrong with your car? i missed that part.

[Jeff240sx]

As did I, and I'm in Tampa. I'd be happy to take a look at it. What motor? KA, SR? I assume KA since you want Nissan to fix something. What are the symptoms? Even replacing something horrible, like pistons or headgasket would be my cue to either buy a new $400 KA (as labor on those 2 parts are $600-$1200) and swap it, or buy an SR and swap it. But.. answer all my questions.
-Jeff

[jess14]

I went to Nissan today and they told me to bring it in tomorrow. I know I'm going to regret spending all this money. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't have the know how to fix it on my own and the local mechanics here in town aren't the most trustworthy people.

My options include:

Seeing if Secret Services does basic KA work
Taking it to Nissan to get it fixed
Buying an SR20 and replacing the engine

[Wei240]

if i were you, i would take up on jeff240sx's offer on looking at your car, according to yahoo map (if i did it correctly), he's not too far from you and he's probably more knowledgable on the 240 than some of the local mechanics, and you won't get ripped off like the dealer would...

[jess14]

Yea, I PMed him, hopefully he will be online later tonight.

My buddy knows a mechanic who said he would take a look at it sometime this week. Along with Jeff (hopefully I'll get in contact with him), should I just wait and not take it to Nissan?

Also, I plan on selling the 95 240sx after it is all fixed. I just can't see myself in any other car. My buddy wants me to get a RX-7, I kind of want an Evo VIII or a BMW M3 (used of course). Then I think. It would be sweet to own a 97 240sx. Completely stock with low miles? Then I'll swap it, maybe. What do you all think I should do? BTW, thanks for everyones help.

[Powashiftin]

BITE THE BULLET

Dont get discouraged. Just get it fixed locally at a known shop, or have Jeff240SX look at it...

[phrozen]

off topic but.. speaking of bullet i found one in my car today when i took out the carpet

[brage]

Seriously, buy another KA for about $400... for $600-$700 you can probably get a KA w/ less than 40k miles. Drop in the motor with help of a couple friends and an FSM. Swapping the motor in the 240 is NOT hard. I was a total amateur the first time I did it and we were done with less than 8 hours...

This is all assuming your problems are indeed engine, etc related... could be electrical, but that is doubtful.

Don't lose hope so easily. The KA is dirt cheap, and the 240 has got to be one of the easiest cars to work on...

-jeff

[Jeff240sx]

Heh. I spent 3 hours working on 2 bolts at the top of the transmission. Total time to remove and replace the motor was 6 hours. It went back in with the tranny bolted up, that's for damn sure. It's easy. Just use lots of masking tape with notes on electrical connections and vacuum connections. And have either a) the right tools, or b) small hands.
-Jeff