CA18DET project questions - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Notachinga · 03-23-2015, 07:27 AM

Hey guys, accidentally posted this before in the wrong section I think.

I recently picked up a basically stock S13, 5 speed CA18DET for a project car to do for a few months, and I have a questions.

I originally had plans to just swap to an SR, but being new to imports I thought i'd have a go with fixing the CA that was in it and using it for a awhile.

The previous owner said that the headgasket was blown (not confirmed) and that his mate checked compression and said it was bad on 2 cylinders, however we checked it a few days ago and got 135, 140, 130 and 140 from basically cold start. I would have thought it would read a bit lower in at least one with a bad headgasket?

We got our hopes up the the headgasket was fine, but after a small drive, there was coolant leaking at the back of the engine, so no more driving.

He also said the previous turbo had just blown so he put on a new T25, but noticed the wastegate actuator (correct me if i'm wrong) is not plumbed, so the car will just boost freely, probably until the turbo/engine gives out. Could this have caused the headgasket to blow?

The engine is pretty rough when starting, and is missing a bit even after replacing the spark plugs, so i'm leaving that until the head is sorted out.

Any help would be much appreciated, I have nothing to do while I wait for gaskets/ head studs and to find someone to machine the head.

Edit: Forgot to add, the oil doesn't seem milky or watery or anything.

TheRealSy90 · 03-23-2015, 08:11 AM

It's possible that the gasket is blown even though the oil isn't contaminated, it's just leaking from the coolant passage and out between the gasket. And definitely need to plump up the wastegate actuator as it will just run whatever boost the turbo could possibly make until it overcame the actuator. That's most likely the cause of the engine troubles.

03-23-2015, 07:27 AM	#1
Notachinga Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 2 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	CA18DET project questions Hey guys, accidentally posted this before in the wrong section I think. I recently picked up a basically stock S13, 5 speed CA18DET for a project car to do for a few months, and I have a questions. I originally had plans to just swap to an SR, but being new to imports I thought i'd have a go with fixing the CA that was in it and using it for a awhile. The previous owner said that the headgasket was blown (not confirmed) and that his mate checked compression and said it was bad on 2 cylinders, however we checked it a few days ago and got 135, 140, 130 and 140 from basically cold start. I would have thought it would read a bit lower in at least one with a bad headgasket? We got our hopes up the the headgasket was fine, but after a small drive, there was coolant leaking at the back of the engine, so no more driving. He also said the previous turbo had just blown so he put on a new T25, but noticed the wastegate actuator (correct me if i'm wrong) is not plumbed, so the car will just boost freely, probably until the turbo/engine gives out. Could this have caused the headgasket to blow? The engine is pretty rough when starting, and is missing a bit even after replacing the spark plugs, so i'm leaving that until the head is sorted out. Any help would be much appreciated, I have nothing to do while I wait for gaskets/ head studs and to find someone to machine the head. Edit: Forgot to add, the oil doesn't seem milky or watery or anything.