Common 240sx problems?

[ld1896]

Hello i am looking to buy a s13 or s14 in the near future. would anyone be able to tell me some common problems with the cars, or what to look out for?

[Synistar13]

Yep... Common problems are the previous owner.

[DJ-of-E]

Yep... Common problems are the previous owner.

It has far more problems and mileage than buying a Corolla with 200,000 miles. Don't buy it if you're already thought about asking about this.

[xoxide]

Everything.


240's are a nightmare.

[ld1896]

I have been looking at a few cars, but I am not too familiar with them yet. Just asking for some help...

[240boi115]

you buy a 240 you buy a project:cops:

[bc.]

Previous owner and future owner, usually both are problems.

And rust, bushings, high mileage motors, power steering leaking, vacuum lines leaking, previous owner put some weird shit on and the wiring is all messed up now.

[Synistar13]

They are fun cars if you like to work on them... as in, they have their own personal garage space with permanent markings on the floor from the jack stands.

but in all seriousness, they are like any other high-mileage, high-age car. Stuff wears out, gremlins come out of nowhere, rubber deteriorates, metal corrodes and rusts, yada, yada yada. If you are looking into a low-mileage, garage kept, adult driven beauty that will fetch a premium, then they are very fun, but don't expect them to be error-free.

[zerodameaon]

The whole damn car. lol.

Timing chain tensioners go bad and cause a rattling noise, dashes crack, trunk/hatches won't stay open(simple fix), smog problems etc.

[ZenkiKid]

Everything.


240's are a nightmare.

Yup.

But really:

Subframe bushings being shot
Power steering system is crap
blown head gaskets
the headlight popup system going bad (easy fix if you replace the headlight stalk)

[gostrider]

fun to work on even more fun to drive. you will never be bored unless you run out of $$$$..

crack dash, door panels, comes with age

[97nismo]

Everything
Ps for sure
Expect zip ties from previous owner

[gostrider]

fun to work on even more fun to drive. you will never be bored unless you run out of $$$$..

crack dash, door panels, comes with age

[ld1896]

Thanks guys for the quick feed back! Is there anything else I should pay extra attention to, or a serious turn off when inspecting the car?

[97nismo]

Wiring and avoid engine swaps from kids

[xoxide]

Get the most unmolested 240 you can. Stay away from motor swapped cars, zipties, goudy body kits, tons of stickers... all of those are signs its been drifted, and you do not want that. Start out with something clean and mod it yourself.

[deolio]

rear traction breaks a lot

[Synistar13]

Thanks guys for the quick feed back! Is there anything else I should pay extra attention to, or a serious turn off when inspecting the car?

If you don't have alot of mechanical knowledge/experience working on cars, bring an experienced technician and a very bright flashlight with you. Everything on a 240sx, especially an S13, can and will fail, but things can be fixed. Sometimes it's an easy fix, sometimes it can take hours and cost several thousand dollars, and sometimes the fix for the problem is simply getting another car. Big red flags for me when I'm inspecting a car is botched wiring, welding marks where there SHOULDN'T be welding marks, and off-brand hardware.

I straighten out other people's automotive screwups for a living. I make good money at doing so. When someone brings in a car with 2 metric tons of off-color wiring that is strewn about under the dashboard (yep, look under the dash) or around the engine bay with electrical tape, butt connectors, and zip-ties everywhere, I tell the customer to break out the checkbook, because it's gonna be a long day.

Most cars don't have obvious marks from welding on the body. Factory welding is usually concealed with a magic material known as seem sealer. If you notice some booger welding anywhere on the car, I would look at the overall history of the car with a fine-tooth comb and a magnifying glass.

The types of bolts on a car also tell a story all on their own. Most factory bolts have a uniform appearance (finish/washered/size) to them. If I see a bunch of bolts on a certain part or area that are mismatched, oddball sizes, or simply missing, this tells me someone has been here before, and either didn't know what he was doing, or lost a bunch of hardward during the reassembly process. Another flag that would warrant my concern.

[xoxide]

rear traction breaks a lot Hahahaha I see what you did there.

[trxrx7]

they are old cars and most of them are project cars so expect to replace some parts even if its very clean(but on the other hand parts are dirt cheap for these cars especially the s13 compared to your normal cars). but after owning four s13 and one s14 i can tell you the biggest issue with them, and that is RUST! broken parts can always be replaced but rust is just a PITA and even if you cut out all the spots and weld in new metal and do a good job at it, it will still come back after a few years, im assuming nissan just used poor quality metal in that era. so the first thing i do when buying a 240sx or a friend is looking into buying one, i jack up the car and look underneath. the s13 starts rusting on the frame rail up front kinda beside the tranny bell-housing because people and shops lift the car at that point, so the under coat starts falling off. when ever you are turning your steering wheel the tires are pointing right at it throwing water, salt etc. onto it, rust starts spreading to the floors than rockers and than to the wheel well. i always lift my cars on the subframe or diff. maybe its just me but i think that is the most important thing to look for when buying a 240 other stuff can always be replaced! good luck!

[ManoNegra]

Stay away from 240s if you don't have the resources, time and patience to constantly chase problems
If you're poor or this will be your primary source of transportation, don't even bother
oh, and yeah, they clean samples will be a lot more than you'll want to pay

[Matej]

The stinging feeling of embarrassment when someone finds out you own a 240SX. One knows they automatically assume it is some boy racer drift junk heap, and chances are it most likely is.

[archonftw]

I'm amazed this thread didn't get flamed to shit.

[Felipe]

I'm amazed this thread didn't get flamed to shit.

Wait for it.... Wait for it..... lol


Its because everyone is in a good mood today :fruit:

[mantas]

Buy a civic and be happy.

Ill make a list to make this easy.

Reasons not to own:

1. Always breaks down until the problems are sorted out.
2. The same problems come back at random times during ownership.
3. Did i mention it breaks the fuck down a lot?
4. Lots of money to repair not because of expensive parts but because its an old shitbox.
5. Gets stolen a lot or broken into for parts.
6. People think (should probably say - people know) you are driving a rice rocket.
7. Deep down inside you know its a pos - its not a porsche, ferrari etc. its a budget sports coupe.
8. And finally....it breaks down.

Reasons to own:

1. Fun to drive when it runs properly.

[HB_Alex]

you got to be ready to spend a fair bit of money. If its not one thing, its another or another or another. They end up being a fair bit of work, but in the end ive always found it worth it. You will probably spend the same if not more fixing the car rather than modifying it. They are a super fun car, great to learn with, but they are all pieces of work

[jzs14]

LOL 240 problems

[h2v7]

jack em up on the pinch weldsssss

[OrangeVirus1]

99.92% of them have been beat to living shit from their previous owners.

99.91% of them have had more than 5 previous owners

99.90% of them have drift taxed prices

They are really crap cars and when you start completely taking one apart you see just how cheap and shitty nissan made them.

then there's the 0.08% of them that are nice, not drift taxed, and had 3 or less owners.

[KiLLeR2001]

As long as you stay away from RB20 swapped cars you'll be good.

[OrangeVirus1]

As long as you stay away from RB20 swapped cars you'll be good.

+1.

If you find a car with a SR20 in it, you know it has been taken care of properly, with proper and timely maintenance, quality oil, Never over-rev'd and washed/waxed every week.

Try to find one with a SR20 in it. That way you know it's been taken care of properly OP.

[KiLLeR2001]

+1.

If you find a car with a SR20 in it, you know it has been taken care of properly, with proper and timely maintenance, quality oil, Never over-rev'd and washed/waxed every week.

Definitely, mines been running for 5 years no problems yet. Drove it from Orlando to Atlanta and back no issues at all. And I averaged 29 mpg.

[yetijeff]

As long as you stay away from RB20 swapped cars you'll be good.

Goin fishin? Hahaha

[OrangeVirus1]

Definitely, mines been running for 5 years no problems yet. Drove it from Orlando to Atlanta and back no issues at all. And I averaged 29 mpg.

That was directed at the OP not you.:wackit:

[SD_Kouki]

This:

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/312350-you-know-you-have-240-when.html

[KiLLeR2001]

That was directed at the OP not you.:wackit:

I could care less who your message is directed towards. This is another opportunity for me to share to the world how superior an SR is to an RB20.

[OrangeVirus1]

I could care less who your message is directed towards. This is another opportunity for me to share to the world how superior an SR is to an RB20.

The whole world already knows how superior the CA18 is to the RB20, and the CA18 is 10 steps behind a SR20.


even the SR20 is a perfect match to the 2JZ

[zerodameaon]

My top pick in a S13 is clearly the KA, what other engine is acceptable in both a truck and a car(joking btw).

Disclaimer:OV this is not directed at you I am ignoring you because you have supposedly left, but you posted in this thread so I feel a need to say the world is not revolving around you ATT.

[archonftw]

I don't understand this battle between you and orangevirus about rb20s.

[97nismo]

Orange virus needs to take his meds and calm down

[xoxide]

That was directed at the OP not you.:wackit: didn't you rage quit zilvia Sunday night?

[240zach]

the perfect thread for future lols. this thread will end up like the rest of them too. Derailed.
but OP...if your looking for a reliable car off the bat...dont get a 240.
if your looking for something to work on...a lot and put a lot of hard work into it may be the car for you.
ive seen countless people get a 240 cause it was cool or cause they're friend had one, and they got rid of the car within like 3 months because they can't deal with all the issues that the car throws at them. ive had 4 240s and im not saying thats a lot cause a lot of people are on like their 10th...but ive had 4 and done damn near everything you can possibly do on a car. they will break down, they will give you shit, they will randomly break for no fucking reason, and they will shit on you when you need it the most. unless you put some serious time and love into it. and most of the time it will still shit on you.

[zooopreme]

but OP...if your looking for a reliable car off the bat...dont get a 240.
if your looking for something to work on...a lot and put a lot of hard work into it may be the car for you.
ive seen countless people get a 240 cause it was cool or cause they're friend had one, and they got rid of the car within like 3 months because they can't deal with all the issues that the car throws at them. ive had 4 240s and im not saying thats a lot cause a lot of people are on like their 10th...but ive had 4 and done damn near everything you can possibly do on a car. they will break down, they will give you shit, they will randomly break for no fucking reason, and they will shit on you when you need it the most. unless you put some serious time and love into it. and most of the time it will still shit on you.

This is a real bad example of how the S-Chassis is for some of us.

In disagreement, people in their late teens and early 20's buy crappy cars and stuff like this happens & they forget to blame their poor choices.

Like any import chassis, the older ones are a gamble because you have no idea how the previous owner drove the car and maintained the car.

240's are susceptible to "breaking down" often because a lot of people fail to realize that the chassis is old and they typically just slap on aftermarket parts without replacing other necessary parts. Unless the car has been babied or had every part restored, the car WILL have it's hiccups.

This is no bias to the S-Chassis either, my old Accord had problems and my pops was the first owner of the car. It's simply old. That it.

Tips for buying a 240, if you don't mind having a car with problems, get it. Mine just rolled past 200,XXX miles and is still running like the day I got it running well. Sure I've had my share of problems but if you pay for quality parts and do things right the first time, a 240 will be just as reliable as somebody who owns a Civic or some other reliable chassis.

[240zach]

that's not a bad example at all. its because like someone posted above a lot of them are beat to shit on top of being old on top of not being properly cared for on top of having a drift tax.
finding a good one is going to cost a lot. and is still really rare. expecially to find one that hasnt been touched by the previous 5 owners.

@zooopreme just cause you got lucky on a 240 doesnt mean everyone is..

[240zach]

This is a real bad example of how the S-Chassis is for some of us.

not most of us.
even the really clean cars you'll see, people have put years of work into them.

[zooopreme]

I didn't "get lucky". I made a mistake in purchasing my current chassis actually, lol. But I spent time and not that much money into restoring the rotting parts in the underbody and not to mention the engine was a mess when I bought it. And after all of that, I've made it a goal to make the same mistake as I'm looking to purchase another S-Chassis.

The S-Chassis and parts that go along with it don't just "break" out of the blue per se, if you neglect certain parts, add track intended parts, and fail to inspect or replace, it will just randomly break. This is apparent for cars in general. No Honda or Toyota is immune from this. Which brings me to my point, the S-Chassis as a whole aren't bad cars for reliability "off the bat."

It just requires not purchasing the first or second one that you set your heart to. Which a lot of fanboys and new coming enthusiasts typically have done in the past. People end up paying as much as it would be to buy a chassis that has been taken care of.

If I can pinpoint every post I've seen of a clean chassis somebody new has posted, I would. If being smart about purchases is being lucky then I guess you're right.

not most of us.
even the really clean cars you'll see, people have put years of work into them.

This shows just how long you've been a part of the S-chassis community.

[240zach]

This shows just how long you've been a part of the S-chassis community.

that doesn't show shit. im making an observation of all the build threads ive seen on this damn forum.
and im not saying i make terrible judgements on buying a car either. fuck my first car was a single cam smogged on new megan coils for 1100 bucks. back when a car was actually worth its value. not some overpriced pos on gsp coilovers for 3500 bucks.(using as an example, just in case i had to clarify later.)
you're right and wrong about a lot of stuff. you cant tell me you haven't ever tried to start your car and it didn't start, or it misfired or it did something fucking stupid. as easy as the problem is to fix..it did go out randomly, just most likely from being old but they didn't give any sign of going out untill that very instant when they went out.
you're right though when it comes to replacing such parts on your car with quality parts in the end making it more reliable.

[240zach]

and it honestly pisses me off seeing a fucking spray painted car with a single cam on shit half blown coils for 4k. its fucking ridiculous.
and yeah that somebody "new" most likely bought their car off someone who put a lot of hard work and time into the car.

[zooopreme]

It shows plenty actually. If you've been around this community (NOT FORUM) long enough, you know the ratio of clean to beat to shit cars is about 45/55. 45 being clean, 50 being missiles. It's slowly decreasing but that ratio is A LOT better than what Honda enthusiasts can say. Honda being the standard for "reliable" cars.

With your "forum observation skills", you could stick your head out of the window and been out of your neighborhood, you would see a lot more clean and running S-Chassis. In Cali where 240's become "grab a bat and make your car a missile", you'd expect to find an overwhelming number of more beat to shit ones than clean ones, right? Sure, but those are usually the fucktards that like to flaunt what they learned from an Option video or the ones that replicate their cars like magazine scans. But I can guarantee you that RELIABLE S-Chassis exist more than you've seen. And forums aren't a good place to start looking either.

and it honestly pisses me off seeing a fucking spray painted car with a single cam on shit half blown coils for 4k. its fucking ridiculous.
and yeah that somebody "new" most likely bought their car off someone who put a lot of hard work and time into the car.

This applies to all cars. How many half finished muscle cars that are priced high are there? I get the value of those cars but demand is just as responsible for pricing of the S-Chassis. You can blame the consumer, I guess.

And I see it more frequently these days but it sounds like salt more than anything. You gotta pay to play. If you want a reliable car, find a deal or pay the price. It's beyond you that people have cleaner chassis and you have yet to experience that.

[240zach]

But I can guarantee you that RELIABLE S-Chassis exist more than you've seen. And forums aren't a good place to start looking either.

I never said that they just dont exist. theres plenty of clean 240s here in cali. your right that a lot of people do shit to their cars in order to "be different" or "cause nobody else does it" ive seen people who do it(its terrible.) alot of the times ruining a perfectly good car. the 45/55 is actually pretty dead on i would think on a large scale basis. on a smaller scale depending on where you live and who you surround yourself with though that number can change.

and i was using this forum as a point to see clean s chassis cars cause this forum has people from all over the country. instead of just the small town or the state you live in.

and true. if looking for your first s chassis, go to Craigslist or find an old lady or old man driving one and just throw em an offer. only way to find a deal on a clean( and hopefully taken care of) 240. this is to the OP which i dont even think is going to comment on this thread anymore. lol it should just end

[OrangeVirus1]

didn't you rage quit zilvia Sunday night?

Yeah probably, who know what the hell I posted that many days ago I honestly don't even know what day it is right now last I remember was saturday

[TwelveAM]

Lol the first response that popped up in my head has already been mentioned.

EVERYTHING! Once an issue starts popping up, another will pop up and another will pop up. Be ready to spend your weekends/off days working on your car just to get it to run properly lol.

[yetijeff]

Orange virus needs to take his meds and calm down

He's banned

[97nismo]

Finally banned we don't people like that in the car community

[new2sr20]

If you get lucky like me, you will find a BONE STOCK, unmolested 240 which was serviced at a nissan dealership its whole life with zero rust.

A- dont buy a car from up north, especially north east as it is likely to be a rust bucket.

B- dont buy anything modified, unless you know the previous owner and their mechanical knowledge and car care history.

C- expect to replace bushings, timing chain components, relays, wiring, brakes,shocks, and various interior pieces which have cracked over the years.

They are honestly great cars. The engines can last forever if properly maintained.

[mantas]

240s have no problems at all when parked........besides the occasional honda bastards trying to steal things off them. Lol

[95zenki man]

you buy a 240 you buy a project:cops:

This ^^^

had mine for over 2 years now and im back to square one replacing all the stuff i did when i first got the car. If it ant broke, it soon will be.

[240boi115]

240s have no problems at all when parked........besides the occasional honda bastards trying to steal things off them. Lol

and then they buy a 240.... fail.

[Chaluska]

yep... Common problems are the previous owner.

q u o t e d - f o r - t h e - t r u t h!!

[racepar1]

It's funny to me listening to everyone bitching about how unreliable 240's are. In my experience they are EXTREMELY reliable. Maybe that's just because I take care of mine...

OP: The problem with 240's if that they're old ass cars and most people that own them don't spend the money to take care of them. If you buy a 240 the first thing is ALL maintenance items. Belts, hoses, tune-up, leaks, etc... Those are the most commonly ignored items. Don't buy one single aftermarket part untill ALL maintenance has been addressed. Beware of modified cars. 99.99999999999999% of 240 owners suck major donkey balls at working on them. The more mods a car has, the more chances that the PO fucked it up somewhere. You don't seem very knowledgeable so i would definitely NOT reccomend that you buy some modded POS. You'll probably get all wide-eyed and bushy-tailed looking at all the parts and completely miss all the bullshit that was done wrong. All that bullshit will cost twice as much money to fix as just having the mods done PROPERLY yourself.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

Hello i am looking to buy a s13 or s14 in the near future. would anyone be able to tell me some common problems with the cars, or what to look out for?

The whole car is a problem lol.....biggest money pit vehicle, but OH SO WORTH IT :bowdown:

[DJ-of-E]

The whole car is a problem lol.....biggest money pit vehicle, but OH SO WORTH IT :bowdown:

It's probably cheaper just to buy a used porsche or bmw m3 for performance per dollar.

[silnv]

Anyone who gets into modding cars needs to have a reliable DD, too. So I would advise getting a nice reliable vehicle that you have no interest in modding, then get a project to mess with.

[240boi115]

It's funny to me listening to everyone bitching about how unreliable 240's are. In my experience they are EXTREMELY reliable. Maybe that's just because I take care of mine...

OP: The problem with 240's if that they're old ass cars and most people that own them don't spend the money to take care of them. If you buy a 240 the first thing is ALL maintenance items. Belts, hoses, tune-up, leaks, etc... Those are the most commonly ignored items. Don't buy one single aftermarket part untill ALL maintenance has been addressed. Beware of modified cars. 99.99999999999999% of 240 owners suck major donkey balls at working on them. The more mods a car has, the more chances that the PO fucked it up somewhere. You don't seem very knowledgeable so i would definitely NOT reccomend that you buy some modded POS. You'll probably get all wide-eyed and bushy-tailed looking at all the parts and completely miss all the bullshit that was done wrong. All that bullshit will cost twice as much money to fix as just having the mods done PROPERLY yourself.


and its because of this that we advise him to eithe rnot get one or be prepared for a project. add that to low funds and what do you have? If the OP has money to play then he can find an unmolested one but 99.9999999% of the time thats not the case and people end up buying overpriced buckets. my coupe was reliable as hell and i picked it up for $900 (yes everything worked and it was even HUD) but honestly getting lucky like that is very rare int the new 240 scene. rewind back some years and a clean 240 was much easier to pick up.

[racepar1]

It's probably cheaper just to buy a used porsche or bmw m3 for performance per dollar.

I can assure you that is NOT the case. Wanna own an unreliable car that needs constant attention? Buy an M3... I know from personal experience. Granted it is nice to have a project that you don't have to swap anything for (engine, brakes, aero, etc)...

and its because of this that we advise him to eithe rnot get one or be prepared for a project. add that to low funds and what do you have? If the OP has money to play then he can find an unmolested one but 99.9999999% of the time thats not the case and people end up buying overpriced buckets. my coupe was reliable as hell and i picked it up for $900 (yes everything worked and it was even HUD) but honestly getting lucky like that is very rare int the new 240 scene. rewind back some years and a clean 240 was much easier to pick up.

You can find clean ones. The problem is that most are too broke to afford them. Then they bitch about "drift tax" relentlessly as if they weren't the ones causing it in the first place. The OTHER problem is that most don't have the PATIENCE to wait for the right car or the RESOURCEFULNESS to know where/how to look.

I do agree though, IF YOU'RE BROKE DON'T BUY A 240!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You'll end up with a POS and you'll never have the money to do anything with it.