1998 S14 Issues, Leaks and Handling

[SDS14Driver]

Sup all,

I come from building and driving a SOHC s13 for the past 3 years and just two days ago i purchased a 1998 s14 w/ factory ABS & LSD. (I found it with 88k miles BONE STOCK!!!) I LOVE it to say the least but i noticed a couple of thing's that i'll need some input on.

I noticed that steering in the s14 isn't as crazy responsive as it was in my s13, is this normal? I mean it feels solid, but some what heavy, as if power steering isn't giving all it's got. Those of you who've driven both, that question's for you guys.

I also noticed when looking at the PS reservoir that the fluid was bubbling. Obviously a closed loop shouldn't have any air inside let alone bubbles... Do you guys have any feed back regarding the bubbles in the res? The SOHC KA's reservoir isn't transparrent so i'm at a loss. (No scrapping noises at all when turning BTW)

One last thing. I had this same issue with my s13 and didn't really pay it much attention but down where the tranny and engine link up underneith the car i have a mini leak going on. We're talking maybe a few drops per day.

What concerns me is the oil was just recently changed and what the fluild appears to be is engine oil... But it doesn't appear to be fresh. It didn't smell like gear oil but it was definatley brown. I need to investigate a bit more and as I do so i'll post pictures.

Any feedback at this point would be appreciated.
Thanks all.

[aznpoopy]

clean up the oil and run the car. pin point where the leak is coming from.

i had a ton of oil where the tranny and engine linked up as well. i had a leaky front main seal, and for some reason the oil moves back and down, coating the bottom of the engine all the way to the tranny. it liked to drip from the area where the tranny mates to the engine. i cleaned it off and replaced the front main seal; voila - no more problem.

anyway, if oil really is leaking from the mating area, then its either your rear main seal or your front tranny oil seal. to get to those you have to drop the transmission. the seals themselves are cheap. maybe 15 bucks for 'em together.

[SDS14Driver]

good stuff, i'll look into when i get off work. Any feedback regarding the S13 handling vs the S14s? I'm driving my s13 today and i was just blown away at how damn responsive it was in comparison. Relatively stock too, KYB GR2s with Eibach Pro kits and a rear strut bar.

[aznpoopy]

i can't say. i've never even sat in a s13; let alone driven one.

i would guess the pro kits made a big difference. also some s14s (like mine), came with a front swaybar and no rear. that would probably make the car feel a little less 'eager' to rotate.

[Omarius Maximus]

Give me a break... I have a 98 as well, mine handles fine, the steering might be less responsive because of tire size.. If you have wider tires up front, then it will obviously take more energy to steer. Also, you said your s13 was lowered, a car with lots of negative camber steers easier than one thats sitting at stock ride height. On top of this, a stiffer front suspension will give you more responsiveness as opposed to stock.....

[SDS14Driver]

True, the tires are much bigger which explains the larger energy requirement turning the wheels. I'll stiffen up the front end ASAP to get this thing whipping around like it should. I've been driving my S13 all day today and i just got back from driving the S14 a bit and damn... Gotta love that thing, even in stock condition; can't wait for the suspension mods.

Back to the leak issue, there's definatley a leak & it's definatley engine oil, I cant say it's not major since i haven't traced it to its source yet but it's running down to the bell housing of the tranny, and dripping right at the bottom where the tranny and engine meet.

I won't have any time to investigate further until tomorrow afternoon but it seems that the leak is completely gone after the car's off for a while. Once the car's running the leak returns and sticks around for about an hour after the car's parked.

Off = no leak.
On = Leak.

Was that typically the case before you replaced your front main seal poopy? I'll trace the leak tomorrow afternoon & post my findings and pics then.

[Var]

If you find anything that's power steering related please post up. Mine and a few of my friend's cars are having resistance issues with our power steering. I've changed the rack 3 times with remanufactured ones, changed the pump twice, and nothing helped. When you try to move the wheel too fast it doesnt wanna turn.

[idlafie]

Back to the leak issue, there's definatley a leak & it's definatley engine oil, I cant say it's not major since i haven't traced it to its source yet but it's running down to the bell housing of the tranny, and dripping right at the bottom where the tranny and engine meet.

I won't have any time to investigate further until tomorrow afternoon but it seems that the leak is completely gone after the car's off for a while. Once the car's running the leak returns and sticks around for about an hour after the car's parked.

Off = no leak.
On = Leak.

Was that typically the case before you replaced your front main seal poopy? I'll trace the leak tomorrow afternoon & post my findings and pics then.
Try checking the half-moon rubber valve cover seals that are on the back part of the valve cover...right next to the firewall. You could spring a leak from there also.
Anyhow, hope this helps...
ID
95 S14

[speedjay]

True, the tires are much bigger which explains the larger energy requirement turning the wheels. I'll stiffen up the front end ASAP to get this thing whipping around like it should. I've been driving my S13 all day today and i just got back from driving the S14 a bit and damn... Gotta love that thing, even in stock condition; can't wait for the suspension mods.

Back to the leak issue, there's definatley a leak & it's definatley engine oil, I cant say it's not major since i haven't traced it to its source yet but it's running down to the bell housing of the tranny, and dripping right at the bottom where the tranny and engine meet.

I won't have any time to investigate further until tomorrow afternoon but it seems that the leak is completely gone after the car's off for a while. Once the car's running the leak returns and sticks around for about an hour after the car's parked.

Off = no leak.
On = Leak.

Was that typically the case before you replaced your front main seal poopy? I'll trace the leak tomorrow afternoon & post my findings and pics then.

that was the case for my front main seal leak, plus it ran back to the tranny like you described before.

[SochBAT]

I've had both the S14 and S13. The S13 was the first car i drove, so it seemed pretty responsive. After driving and selling the S14, i felt that the S13 was more nimble. The S14 seemed to have a thicker steeringwheel, which i don't like. But then again, i think its' all just preference. Results vary.

[SDS14Driver]

Thanks again for all the input guys. I did a lot of research about the front and rear main seals and it seems like a pretty easy job. I'm hoping that's where my leak's coming from but i won't know for sure until I trace it this afternoon.

Again i'm driving the S14 today, i thought my gas tank readings were off cause it's been about 72 miles and my shit's still about full. It's starting to fall down though so i dont think i have that sticky gauge bug like other s14s; nice gas mileage considering there's nothing wrong. hah.