dumbblondeina240sx

Hi, I have a 1989 240sx hatchback and I think it's the S13. I was driving and it started to overheat, I turned on the heater and that helped cool it back down until I could get off the freeway and stop. I checked the antifreeze and it still had plenty, after it cooled down I tried to drive it home (only about a mile) and now the heater didn't work, the car was stalling, the engine was smoking and the add oil light kept coming off and on.

I love this car and don't want to get rid of it. Can anyone give me suggestions on what the problem might be, and recommendations on someone in San Diego County to fix it? I'm a single mom with very limited $$$ but access to a discount on junk yard stuff. And I've had bad luck with car repair places trying to jack me up with unnecessary stuff because I'm a woman and don't know better. Any help would be totally appreciated, thanks!

brndck

are you getting white smoke out of the tail pipe? (if yes, then you have a bad head gasket)
is your antifreeze still bright green? or is it murky and brownish?
does your oil still look like oil? or does it look like chocolate milk.
i hope i'm not sounding like i'm interrogating you, i'd just like more info so we can help you pinpoint your problem and get you back on the road.

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Def

The oil light coming on and off is really bad news. That's the oil PRESSURE light, and when it goes off you essentially have no oil flowing through your engine and things tend to grind themselves to death in a hurry.

When you say you checked the antifreeze, did you look at the white plastic tank on the passenger side of the engine bay with a yellow cap, or did you actually wait for the engine to cool down(VERY IMPORTANT!) and open the radiator cap? There should be no air space between the radiator cap and the coolant level.

The questions above are good to help determine what actually happened so you can be more informed what needs to be fixed. The good news is that the engines in these cars are very stout so you have a good chance you're still ok with some repairs.

FRoSt415

well i hope it wasnt smoking to bad. first check the oil level. clean the dipstick then reinsert it back in and check the level. if its dry you might be in trouble. also while checking it make sure it is not a milky color if it is then you blew your head gasket and are looking at a 500 dollar job at minimum. then check the coolant and the radiator and see if it has water. what i would suggest is to remove the water pump and see if thats the culprit. If not its usually the thermostat or radiator. so try to get someone or even yourself to remove the water pump and check it and the thermostat to see if it one of those is your problem then let us know what you find out from that.

S13SilviaGirl

How long have you had the car? If you just bought it, did you have anyone look the car over for you?


Where abouts in SD are you?

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projectRDM

Bingo. There is and never has been a low oil light on any Nissan, period. You can have ten quarts of oil and still trip the light from low pressure. From the sounds of it you have overheated, more than likely blowing the head gasket.

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MegasquirtCA

The GTR has a low oil light

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Fonix36

^^^^^^^^^
burn oh that was funny..


but seriously good luck with the car you came to the right place for help...

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brndck

o ya and btw welcome to zilvia. we're way better than all other nissan forums and we won't hesitate to let you know it!

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WangonwWarrior

yeah welcome, pics are welcome too of the car that is

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s13 @ fullboost

good luck with the fix and welcome to Zilvia =]

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Z_Spool

Yes welcome... you're in good company here with plenty of people in your area who aren't afraid to turn a few wrenches for beer money. Definitely doesn't sound good, but more details would be helpful. Also, in regards to smoke, where on the car is it coming from, what color is it, and if it has a distinct smell what is it?

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projectRDM

It's the first. Must be really low in the pan too, otherwise when running it would trip all the time.

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Vision Garage

Hopefully it didnt get to the headgasket yet. Check your oil and do a oil change while you are at it. Pretty much do a tune up job. Overheating will either be your waterpump, thermostat or lack of coolant. You should just replace all three. Under 100 for everything.

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xplicit240

the best community for any nissan owner. im sure one of you fine gentlemen would gladly help her.

seems like the HG to me.

awaiting on your response to previous questions above.

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devonkyle77

you opened up a can of worms announcing you are female on here. be prepared for people to ask for pics now.

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s13 @ fullboost

haha so true =]

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dumbblondeina240sx

Wow, thank you so much to everyone who replied here!!!!

I looked at the coolant in the overflow thingy, but not in the radiator.

It had busted a radiator hose the day before, but out of nowhere - it wasn't overheated, or at least the temperature gauge did not show it. I immediately pulled over and had it towed, somebody put another hose on, and it was fine until the next afternoon when it started overheating.

One of the kids where I work checked the oil and said it looks like there's water in it. So that probably means a head gasket....right? Figures.

Thanks again for all your help!

s13tilldeath*

sorry about your car any pics? Of the car. (or you and the car)

s13 @ fullboost

^^^^ ahh are first member to ask haha

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dumbblondeina240sx

Smoke was from the engine and it was white.

[email protected]

whoooops, headgasket

dumbblondeina240sx

LOL, I can take some of the car tomorrow. As for me, I'm a little old lady, you sure about that?

cc4usmc

She got a lot better treatment then any guy would have, that's for sure

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Def

I bet $20 whoever put a new hose on the car didn't fill the cooling system back up with coolant/water, which caused it to overheat. This causes the headgasket to blow(head is aluminum, block is iron - head will expand more with heat = warping). I'm betting enough water got in the oil and thinned it out enough to trigger the oil light. It's probably very "chocolate milk like" when you take the oil dipstick out.

Unfortunately a headgasket is a pain in the ass to replace, even though these engines are pretty easy to work on, so a shop is going to charge $500-1500 in labor alone.

Smoke plus oil light sound very bad. Sorry.

LA_phantom_240

Get ready for a headgasket replace, and maybe having the head resurfaced.

Our motors are pretty stout and can take some overheating, but when you get smoke... its not good news.

Good luck and welcome to the forums

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s13 @ fullboost

For 1500 you could prob pick up a new motor and Have it installed thats your best bet. Or if you want to be super cool Mom you should just get a turbo motor (CA18DET) it wouldn't cost you all that much more just a thought tho =] good luck

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dumbblondeina240sx

I would so love to have a turbo motor, LOL. I already like how the car handles, and to speed it up would be even better.

That leads to another question....Is it possible to pull the motor out of a 93 and swap it? Mine's an 89.

Thanks again everyone!

brndck

yes it is possible to install a 93 motor in an 89. it will require some wiring modification, but the 93 motor is a dual cam engine which is a good upgrade from the single cam 1989 engine. (i hope i dont sound like i'm talking down to you).

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deadpirate

yes..the 93 has a dual cam..basically a straight forward swap

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