a couple problems with new truck

xortion · Sep 11th, 2007, 12:02 PM

Hopefully someone will be able to give me a pointer or have had the same problem.
I just bought my '85 Nissan reg cab pickup for $900 with 160,000 km on it. I just need to take a look at a couple things:

1)Starter intermittently turns, but engine doesn't catch, after trying for a few minutes it will catch and start right up.

2)Engine has a clicking noise (not a lifter) Should i look at the exhaust gasket or take the valve cover off first?

3)The truck pulls a bit to the left, i rather not pay for an alignment if that isn't the problem.

4)There are only a couple rust spots above the wheel wells, what is the best way to touch it up in order to make sure the rust doesn't come back? sprays?types of paint? etc..?

5)The truck has 2 horns, there is power going through the wire, but the horns don't work?

Oldnissanguy · Sep 12th, 2007, 03:05 PM

3) Switch front tires and if it pulls to the right it's a bad tire.
5) Replace the horns, they don't last forever.

xortion · Sep 12th, 2007, 04:58 PM

update:

3) pull to the left - right tire had a bulge in it, it blew yesterday on my way home from work, looks like the inside was rubbing against something. hopefully it is not anything on the truck itself.

Oldnissanguy · Sep 13th, 2007, 06:42 AM

Sounds like a really good time to look into some new tires.

xortion · Sep 13th, 2007, 12:28 PM

$45 to dismount, mount, balance 2 tires!!! wtf

do rear wheels need to be balanced?

Oldnissanguy · Sep 13th, 2007, 07:57 PM

I never thought about it because I always do a 4 tire rotation on my vehicles, but I guess you wouldn't have to if they stay on the back and are not hugely out of balance.

Try it and see.

**88pathoffroad** · Sep 15th, 2007, 03:25 PM

Of course they have to be balanced. Out-of-balance tires cause vibration through the whole vehicle regardless of position.

pat94XE-V6 · Dec 6th, 2007, 07:36 AM

2. check your exhaust monifolds for broken bolts.. very common due to lack of flex pipe

**88pathoffroad** · Dec 8th, 2007, 03:53 PM

They don't usually break due to no flexpipe, they break due to being made of the wrong type of metal. The coefficient of expansion between the studs, heads and exhaust manifolds cause the breakage.

pat94XE-V6 · Dec 9th, 2007, 11:31 AM

my bad.. I have to drill 3 of my broken studs.

When I do I want to rethread them to a bigger size bolt. would that help them from breaking?

**88pathoffroad** · Dec 9th, 2007, 07:41 PM

On the V6 there is no room in the head to drill and tap it larger. If you accidentally drill too far one side or the other into that bolt hole you'll hit a water jacket and cause a coolant leak, which means you get to take the head off to have it replaced or fixed.

The real fix is to use 86-90(?) 300ZX VG30ET turbo exhaust studs instead, they're the same size and Nissan used the correct type of steel in those, so they don't have the breakage problem.

pat94XE-V6 · Dec 11th, 2007, 11:04 PM

How can i get the old studs out without drilling? an old man showed me you can cut away some of the inner fender to drill them out. he replaced his studs with bigger ones.. but i would rather get the right ones.. from the vg30et. thx for preventing a possible F^. my alternator just went too. I had to pay $180 for a new one. is that reg price?