Going to look at an r32, have a video of it running does it sound okay?

[spydercon]

So im finally going to look at a r32 gtr and i have a video of it running. id appreciate if someone with more experience with these engines could listen to it and see if all sounds normal.

also and common issue to look for? its a 1990, 120 000k guy says always garage kept and says and look mint but havent seen it in person. timing belt has already been changed 20 000 ago

thanks for any help. just dont want to pick up a lemon.


Matt

http://s107.beta.photobucket.com/user/Spydercon/media/r32running_zpsda060065.mp4.html

[strickaj]

look for rust around the trunk seal and rear fenders.

That fuel pump seems super loud and the idle is very high. was it cold when the video was taken? A video of it running after a good hour would be more useful. It's very hard to judge from a video though. Do a search for skyline buyers guide

[Voodoo_ChildR32]

Get the owner to start it for you while you watch the exhaust for smoke on a cold start. If it smokes, probly has an engine or turbo issue.
Front end suspension also gets pounded out as well. If you can, jack up the front and wiggle the front wheels side to side, and top and bottom. See if anything feel loose or abnormal.
Lastly, rear Hicas ball joint are another weak spot. They tend to develop play at the outer ends.
Other than that, look for anything you would look for, it is after all a car just like any other, just older.


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[bobbo]

If you like the car and any problems you see are manageable than just buy the thing. They're 20 years old and will have problems. You're going to fall in love with it and spend your first child's college fund on it anyway.
These cars can be amazing but come at a price. Spend wisely, be patient and good luck.

[nimblestix]

From experience, I can say it doesn't matter if you buy built or stock. Problems or not, you WILL spend much more in the end than anticipated if you choose to keep the thing.

Three skylines later and and I'm still forking it out.... money pit, but a fun one!

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[MarusGTR]

Get the owner to start it for you while you watch the exhaust for smoke on a cold start. If it smokes, probly has an engine or turbo issue.

That's kind of bad advice since R32 usually they have huge exhaust that love to build moisture and smoke (steam) on cold starts. He probably wouldn't know the difference.

I'd say blip the top end when half cold and see if you see some blue smoke.

By suspension you mean the bushings/links or the struts btw?

[spydercon]

Okay thanks for the help guys! Good to keep in mind and ill do a search for sure. The video is a cold start after not being started for 4 days

[Skym]

Cold start = running rich and condensation from exhaust, engine, etc getting burnt off. Wait until engine is warm.

Lastly, rear Hicas ball joint are another weak spot. They tend to develop play at the outer ends.

They are usually not lubed properly at factory thus they wear quicker. Also the inside balljoint on steering rack fails at same time, so both have to be replaced. The outer balljoints have nipples on them to lube them, which I suspect is something the person who services car is meant to do after it leaves factory. Aftermarket replacement balljoints are prelubed.

Also hitting a big enough bump in road (pothole, etc) at speed can make outer balljoint fail.

[spydercon]

How common is valve tap on these motors? Everything sounded good ran smooth no smoke. How ever I did hear a little valve tap. Also he tried to tell me it didn't need a third brake light or license plate light. As far as I though it did. It has already been inspected and safetied and registered in Ontario before just curious if he got away with it or its not needed.

[RixR32]

They have licence plate lights so yes they are needed. Easy to replace just normal "penut" bulbs (194).

R32 GTR has no OEM third brake light, and thats usually not a problem in Ontario.

Please say you looked into INSURANCE, BEFORE deciding on one of these cars!!!!! Thats a way bigger issue than lights IMO.


Rick

[Skym]

With hydraulic lifter (GTR is solid lifter) it can be louder if use too thick oil (stock is 7.5w30 or 5w30 off the shelf, changes to w40 or w50 when engine is modified and oil temps rise). But normally GTR engines with solid lifters are about the same with sound as hydraulic lifters. The solid lifters do have shims and clearances might need to be checked (requires pulling off camcovers, replacing camcover seals, halfmoons, screw washers + sealant to seal half moons and front, rear off both camcovers).

This is an example of the different thickness shims (scroll down to see list) available for upgraded solid lifters (upgraded when exceding 10.25mm lift with aftermarket RB26 cams) -

http://www.tomei-p.co.jp/_2003web-catalogue/e097_v-lifter.html

[spydercon]

Thanks for the info about the valves. The guy I'm looking to buy from had bought the car off a friend who lived in Quebec. The ownership is still in his friends name and is a Quebec registration. Turns out it has the jdm vin still even though I asked him about the 17 digit vin. He said he would register it in his name with the mto in Ontario. Still seems a little sketchy. If it is properly registered how likely could it be that it is stolen from either Quebec or Japan. Any way to check if I have the vin?

[caliber676]

You really don't want to be playing with cars titled to friends friends that aren't registered. I'm sure you'll find other ones to buy, these cars are a hassle either way, why buy one that is a hassle before buying it

[steveo1502]

You can take the vin to registration , they will tell u what's up with it, I've never had any trouble registering cars, friends cars, friends of friends, two bills of sales. Even when I've expected something to go wrong, nothing.i don't think they do the vin change thing anymore, they just use the jap one, it's a bit of a hassle with my insurance because the number doesn't register in the system, but nothin crazy.