Minor issues with my 240. - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Titan · 10-05-2002, 06:18 PM

*Tried searching for these issues, but came up with bubcas.

Just recently I purchased a 89 240 hatch in great condition.

In any case, there are a few minor issues I have noticed since.

Issue #1

Every time I start her up, a reasonably loud squeak comes from under the hood. It gets a bit louder as I let out the clutch, but eventually stops completely after about 5-6 seconds.
I believe it to be the fan belt, or fan itself, as I assume a loose timing chain would rattle rather then squeak right?

Issue #2

The car just passed emissions with flying colors less then a month ago; all the limits were way below (thanks to a new O2 senor). Yet after I let her heat up and begin to rev the car, slightly white smoke came out. First thing I thought was that it might be a coolant leak, as the coolant level was a bit below minimum. Yet, as I sniffed the smoke, it didn't smell sweet. Also, there was visible condensation at the tip of the muffler, where upon examining it, it didn't smell like oil or coolant. Since it passed emissions, I'm guessing any burning of oil or coolant would be detected right? BTW, the temp outside was about 12 C (~54 F). Tommorrow I'll take off the coolant cap, have someone rev the car, and see if bubbles come up.

Any advice on these two issues would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Chew Slice · 10-05-2002, 06:24 PM

Im not sure about the exhaust problem but the squeak is most likely a loose fan belt, it happens in colder weather more often than in the summer i find

mrdirty · 10-05-2002, 06:52 PM

white smoke: probably head gasket, get a compression test.

Titan · 10-05-2002, 07:16 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mrdirty @ Oct. 05 2002,7:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">white smoke: probably head gasket, get a compression test.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Well you see, I pulled the dipstick, and the oil looks fine (Not milky). The car isn't overheating (stays just below half on the temp gauge). The smoke doesn't smell sweet. And above all, it passed emissions with flying colors. So I don't think it's coolant related, although I could be wrong.

Question is, would the e-test detect coolant being burned?

And I mean, it's not like it's a massive thick cloud of white smoke.. it's more of a light cloud that increases with reving.

10-05-2002, 08:24 PM

Do you live in a humid climate? It sounds like normal condensation to me...... The product of complete combustion through a catalytic converter is water. If you had enough coolant getting into the combustion chamber you would dafinately smell that "sweet" smell. IMO replace your belts, and dive it like you stole it  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>  .

uiuc240 · 10-05-2002, 08:26 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Titan @ Oct. 05 2002,8:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mrdirty @ Oct. 05 2002,7:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">white smoke: probably head gasket, get a compression test.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Well you see, I pulled the dipstick, and the oil looks fine (Not milky). The car isn't overheating (stays just below half on the temp gauge). The smoke doesn't smell sweet. And above all, it passed emissions with flying colors. So I don't think it's coolant related, although I could be wrong.

Question is, would the e-test detect coolant being burned?

And I mean, it's not like it's a massive thick cloud of white smoke.. it's more of a light cloud that increases with reving.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
are you noticing coolant loss?  power loss?  roughness?  did you overheat?

i would say you're probably just getting some water vapor condensation.  temp outside was relatively cool.  but this is something to keep an eye out for.  how quickly does the smoke dissipate?  vapor goes fast.  burned coolant lingers quite a bit and leaves a trail as you drive.  it's noticeable.

just keep paying attention to it...but don't freak out yet <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

Eric

Titan · 10-05-2002, 08:40 PM

Well I just got my car today, so I haven't been able to see if there is any coolant loss.

As for the rest, it runs smooth, plenty of power, and the temp doesn't go past one third - middle on the gauge.

The smoke dissapates about 1.5-2 feet after it leaves the exhaust I believe.

I think you guys are right, it may just be heavy condensation. I mean, it DID pass emissions with flying colors on September 19th of last month.

I'll check a few more things tommorrow. Any other tests/suggestions I should do?

10-05-2002, 07:16 PM	#4
Titan Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 421 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mrdirty @ Oct. 05 2002,7:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">white smoke: probably head gasket, get a compression test.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Well you see, I pulled the dipstick, and the oil looks fine (Not milky). The car isn't overheating (stays just below half on the temp gauge). The smoke doesn't smell sweet. And above all, it passed emissions with flying colors. So I don't think it's coolant related, although I could be wrong. Question is, would the e-test detect coolant being burned? And I mean, it's not like it's a massive thick cloud of white smoke.. it's more of a light cloud that increases with reving. __________________ Sleep Doesn't Drink Beer

10-05-2002, 08:24 PM	#5
sxtasy Guest Posts: n/a	Do you live in a humid climate? It sounds like normal condensation to me...... The product of complete combustion through a catalytic converter is water. If you had enough coolant getting into the combustion chamber you would dafinately smell that "sweet" smell. IMO replace your belts, and dive it like you stole it  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  .

10-05-2002, 08:26 PM	#6
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Titan @ Oct. 05 2002,8:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mrdirty @ Oct. 05 2002,7:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">white smoke: probably head gasket, get a compression test.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Well you see, I pulled the dipstick, and the oil looks fine (Not milky). The car isn't overheating (stays just below half on the temp gauge). The smoke doesn't smell sweet. And above all, it passed emissions with flying colors. So I don't think it's coolant related, although I could be wrong. Question is, would the e-test detect coolant being burned? And I mean, it's not like it's a massive thick cloud of white smoke.. it's more of a light cloud that increases with reving.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> are you noticing coolant loss?  power loss?  roughness?  did you overheat? i would say you're probably just getting some water vapor condensation.  temp outside was relatively cool.  but this is something to keep an eye out for.  how quickly does the smoke dissipate?  vapor goes fast.  burned coolant lingers quite a bit and leaves a trail as you drive.  it's noticeable. just keep paying attention to it...but don't freak out yet <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

10-05-2002, 08:40 PM	#7
Titan Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 421 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well I just got my car today, so I haven't been able to see if there is any coolant loss. As for the rest, it runs smooth, plenty of power, and the temp doesn't go past one third - middle on the gauge. The smoke dissapates about 1.5-2 feet after it leaves the exhaust I believe. I think you guys are right, it may just be heavy condensation. I mean, it DID pass emissions with flying colors on September 19th of last month. I'll check a few more things tommorrow. Any other tests/suggestions I should do? __________________ Sleep Doesn't Drink Beer

10-05-2002, 06:18 PM	#1
Titan Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 421 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Tried searching for these issues, but came up with bubcas. Just recently I purchased a 89 240 hatch in great condition. In any case, there are a few minor issues I have noticed since. Issue #1 Every time I start her up, a reasonably loud squeak comes from under the hood. It gets a bit louder as I let out the clutch, but eventually stops completely after about 5-6 seconds. I believe it to be the fan belt, or fan itself, as I assume a loose timing chain would rattle rather then squeak right? Issue #2 The car just passed emissions with flying colors less then a month ago; all the limits were way below (thanks to a new O2 senor). Yet after I let her heat up and begin to rev the car, slightly white smoke came out. First thing I thought was that it might be a coolant leak, as the coolant level was a bit below minimum. Yet, as I sniffed the smoke, it didn't smell sweet. Also, there was visible condensation at the tip of the muffler, where upon examining it, it didn't smell like oil or coolant. Since it passed emissions, I'm guessing any burning of oil or coolant would be detected right? BTW, the temp outside was about 12 C (~54 F). Tommorrow I'll take off the coolant cap, have someone rev the car, and see if bubbles come up. Any advice on these two issues would be greatly appreciated, thanks. __________________ Sleep Doesn't Drink Beer*

10-05-2002, 06:24 PM	#2
Chew Slice Zilvia Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Age: 41 Posts: 215 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Im not sure about the exhaust problem but the squeak is most likely a loose fan belt, it happens in colder weather more often than in the summer i find

10-05-2002, 06:52 PM	#3
mrdirty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Thunder Bay Ontario Age: 47 Posts: 650 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	white smoke: probably head gasket, get a compression test.