Newb observations...any wisdom from you guys?

[csdcowboy]

Hey, I got a 5spd '90 240 coupe a few weeks ago, and I've noticed a few things while driving. I was wondering if they were common with these cars or if mine's broken :(

1. More so when the car is warming up (but still does it once warm, to a lesser degree) when I press down the clutch, I hear and can barely feel what can be best described as bogging down. It's really hard to put a name on it. It's not quite a rattle, definitely not a buzz...Yeah, I guess a "bog" would describe it best. I noticed it on my dad's '81 Datsun pickup, so I thought maybe it was just a Nissan thing. I'm hoping it's not my throwout bearing, cause getting into transmissions is a pain! Any clues?

2a. Sometimes when I'm cruising along, the car starts to hop a bit. Is this the infamous wheel hop I've heard about? I don't know what wheel hop is, btw <--newb Would subframe spacers aleviate this problem?

2b. I'm also thinking it might have something to do with the fact that the fuel filter needs replacing. I've got a new one, just don't have the time/place to change it.

3. When I shift (mainly into 2nd), again more so when it's cold, it's kinda hard to get it down into the gear. Sometimes it grinds or makes other not-so-awesome sounds. Once it warms up it's significantly better.

4. Not really a problem, persay, but does anyone know if the wiring for power windows is in all doors? Obviously the switch isn't there, but some cars w/roll-up windows have the harnesses there anyways. I'd like to put power windows in. Power locks (probably end up doing keyless entry), too, but I've done that before (or does it come on the same panel as power windows?

Oh, just for shits n giggles, here's a pic of her - 124400mi, $1800 :) :
http://oregonstate.edu/~schmimat/90240sx001.jpg

[Annoying Eric]

Wheel hop doesnt really happen when your driving.. Wheel hop is when your doing a burnout or wholeshot, and the car starts to like bounce up and down.. Feels crappy..

The rest of your problems can be fixed easly.. Buy a new motor. There your done.... Power doors. Who needs them. Dont be lazy.. You can work out those muscles while closing the windows...

Oh and btw. Welcome to the board... OH and also this thread should prolly be in the TECH SECTION...... :duh:

[csdcowboy]

Yeah, just realized it was the wrong section (mod move please :)). I'd just woke up when I posted that one :doh:

I can't afford a new motor...I'm a poor college student!

[AKADriver]

1. The first problem sounds definitely like a throwout bearing. Sorry.

2. The car... hops? While just driving at constant speed? The only time my car ever did that, there was a fuel delivery problem making the engine sputter. Replacing the fuel filter is a start... it's not something that takes any amount of time or a garage, you can do it in 15 minutes in a driveway. Also, get some carb cleaner, and clean out the MAF and the AIV unit. The AIV is a weird metal thing bolted to the driver's side fenderwell underneath and behind the airbox, with a tube going to the airbox and some vacuum lines to the engine. Take off the top cap (held on by two tiny phillips screws) and spray the inside with the carb cleaner.

Wheel hop is caused by the suspension loading and unloading when you take off hard from a standstill. The grip of the tires loads the suspension, then the suspension springs back and the wheel hops, then grips, loads, hops, etc.

3. Second-gear grind is typical of older 240SXs. Try changing the transmission oil... do it at the same time you replace the throwout bearing. ;)

4. It depends on the car, really, but my last '90 with crank windows didn't have power window wiring in the door. I haven't opened my new car's doors up yet.

[ZK]

Your wheel hop thing is probably some worn out struts or bushings.

[csdcowboy]

Thanks for the helpful ideas, fellas! Sucks that it's the t/o bearing :( Have any idea how hard it is on these Nissans to get to? I'm figuring now would be the time to just replace the clutch since I'll be in there...what's best for these cars (daily driver)?

Once I finish finals I'll get on the fuel filter for starters.

Thanks for the info on all the other stuff, too! I'll do what I can with the little money I have for now.

[psychedelicbeats]

before jumping to conclusions, i hope you had already tuned up your car after the purchase. that will eliminate many problems and give better car response. when changing your fuel filter, might as well spray down your intake side so that fuel feed and air feed are clean. your transmission should be flushed and filled with new oil because you say that it is hard to shift at cold start. if you honestly think you can't get in gear at all on the long run, you have a clutch problem. if the pedal feels like the gas pedal, it "should" be ok. but if anything lighter than that, if you don't feel a vibration on the clutch pedal you should rebleed the clutch pedal. if the pedal feels stiff enough to engage and disenage the clutch, i would move on and do a clutch job while you're at it. since the t/o may be bad, u can just buy a clutch set that includes everything u need for a clutch job. that should keep most of your troubles away

[HyperTek]

Doors will not have wiring for power windows..

[SlideStar]

3. When I shift (mainly into 2nd), again more so when it's cold, it's kinda hard to get it down into the gear. Sometimes it grinds or makes other not-so-awesome sounds. Once it warms up it's significantly better.

Just let it warm up more. I used to have a 240sx that did the same thing when it was cold. As for "not-so-awesome" sounds, give yourself some time to get used to it. It might just be your shifting :2f2f: Good luck, and welcome.

[240silvia]

Welcome man.... hopefully you'll consume as much knowledge as I have in the past 2 years I've been here.

could be your sincros that are causing it not to go into gear when it's cold. You know that when metal gets hot, it expands...... so maybe you sincros are on the way to be gone..... just not there yet.

[Id-]

check your tranny fluid too.... redline hi-po tranny fluid is supposed to fix a lot of grinding problems in different cars... might wanna give it a shot... wouldnt hurt to do anyway, no telling how long the existing fluid has been in there

[csdcowboy]

Well I got the new fuel filter in and changed the oil. Seemed to help considerably! I also put my new strut bar on there while it was jacked up draining oil. Lol....I didn't depressurize the lines properly, so it sprayed a little bit, but to no harm. We did my buddy's fuel filter as well...when we pulled off his old one, it was RANK. Definitely bad!

I'm hoping the clutch is okay. If worst comes to worst, I'll probably just upgrade to a better clutch and do the whole thing. It's probably mostly my shifting that's making things sound ugly. This thing drives completely different from my old 89 Accord! I'll be replacing the tranny fluid here probably in the next month. My friend bought some fluid and ended up getting a whole new tranny that came with fluid, so he's gonna sell me his fluid.

Bummer about the wiring in the doors :( Thanks for letting me know though.

As soon as money allows (no job :() I'll be taking her in for a tuneup.