Na R33 Stuttering.

[Infraction]

Howdy, having some minor issues with my R33 lately, it's going to need some work and i'd appreciate some help to pinpoint the problems and obtain the right parts before taking it into my local, to be sure of what needs to be done and keep the costs down.

I'm in the adelaide hills so there are no performance car type garages anywhere near me to my knowledge, there is a nissan service centre i've used before but they charged me quite highly and didn't have some of the parts they needed so left the job incomplete.

It has been 2 years since it had a major service, I change the oil and filter about twice a year inbetween 5 & 10k. It's done about 180,000. (Stock RB25DE)

The belts are squeeling for 20 seconds or so on startup, particularly in the cold. I'm guessing all the belts are due for replacing. (they were one of the things that got skipped in the last service because they didn't have them). I found a bosch R33 drive belt set on ebay for $60, but it specifies RB25DET, so i'm wondering if the belts for turbos are the same as NA or not .. ?

Also recently it's started to stutter and hesitate at low RPM. It gets worse under load (eg extra passenger, + air con). Doesn't happen at high RPM, once the car gets moving it runs nicely it's just pulling away from lights, making turns or for examples sake if you put it in too high a gear and try to accelerate it will stutter. I ran a couple of tanks of injector cleaner through it and I think it helped somewhat but didn't eliminate the problem. Wondering if it's worth running more injector cleaner through it or if replacing the spark plugs or something else is likely to resolve this ? (The other threads on stuttering i've read in this forum seem to be different, turbos stuttering at high RPM / peak load.. so not the same)

I'm assuming I will need to get a fuel filter, new spark plugs, new belts, and brake pads while i'm at it. Any other suggestions?

Reading through the maintenance stickies i'm seeing bendix ultimate pads recommended in some cases, they are $125 for a front set on ebay, are these the minimum recommended or are there other budget options which will do a decent job? (RDA Extreme, too cheap?) Keep it mind it's just a daily driver basically, it does a bit of flexing through the hills but the rest is pretty chilled.

Two other things i've noticed, the 'clock spring' (?) in the steering column is busted or something, makes a collection of clicking noises if you go near full lock either direction say when you're parking. Main concern is it might have something to do with airbag release? Is this a serious problem (expensive to fix?) or just something I can keep ignoring ?

Also when I switch the air con on, it makes a bunch of (different) repetitve clicking sounds, same every time. Doesn't seem to have affected the air con though all still works, so again so far i've just been ignoring it.

I just want to keep things running safely on a budget, any tips greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[jhjones]

Your belts will have a code on them 3pk, 4pk etc. Those are the belts you need. What about the timing belt?

[Infraction]

I guess the timing belt might be about due aswell. Is it strictly done before 200,000 ? (There is a japanese 100,000 service sticker on the engine and i'm at ~180,000)

Does it cause damage if it breaks or just leave you stranded?

Found a timing belt on ebay for $115pp. Am I best getting this stuff on ebay or is there a recommended online supplier I could get everything at once from at good prices ?

Edited January 24, 2012 by Infraction

[jhjones]

I guess the timing belt might be about due aswell. Is it strictly done before 200,000 ? (There is a japanese 100,000 service sticker on the engine and i'm at ~180,000)

Does it cause damage if it breaks or just leave you stranded?

Found a timing belt on ebay for $115pp. Am I best getting this stuff on ebay or is there a recommended online supplier I could get everything at once from at good prices ?

First of all, if there is a sticker like the one I have attached then that sticker is telling you to replace the belt at 100,000kms. I guessing its never been changed. If the the cambelt snaps, you will most likey bend your valves and that pretty much means new engine.

You should let the workshop worry about the parts unless you want to do it yourself. Workshops usually give some sort of warranty if they supply the parts.

Edited January 24, 2012 by H4x

[Infraction]

Yeah that's the one, I bought the car with 125,000kms on it so I assumed it had been done. Wasn't brought to my attention when I had it in for a major service either.

Problem is there are no workshops up here with parts for this kind of car, and even if they're willing to order them the prices are ridiculous. I figured my best bet would be to take in the parts I know need replacing sourced online cheaply and just pay for the labour.

[jhjones]

Oh ok, look for a genuine Nissan cambelt, tensioner, idler, waterpump, front cam seals, front crank seal.

http://www.kudosmotorsports.com/catalog/nissan-100000km-service-kit-water-pump-timing-belt-nissan-skyline-r33-gts25-gts4-rb25de-p-239.html

Edited January 24, 2012 by H4x

[Missileman]

Check your local nissan dealer and ebay for genuine parts, you can save a few dollars if want...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/320831811189?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/JDM-NISSAN-R32-R33-R34-SKYLINE-RB20DET-TIMING-BELT-IDLER-TENSIONER-SERVICE-KIT-/360425538713?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53eb094499

[Infraction]

Ok, thanks for those links guys.. so two possible scenarios,

1. The timing belt was done before I bought the car at 125,000 km: Now at around 180,000 should I definitely do it again anyway, or could I just get it checked when the other work is done to see what condition it's in and possibly leave it this time round. ? If it looks shabby could I get away with just changing the belt for $100 or is the whole water pump / bearings kit at $400 quite necessary every time? Can you tell from inspection how well the belt is doing it is or is it just a case of do it or else risk destroying the engine..

2. The timing belt has possibly never been done: Obviously should be done straight away with the whole kit.

I'm just trying to work out how urgent the timing aspect is because it's a cost I hadn't planned for and on top of everything else it will get quite expensive if I buy the whole kit and have it installed.

Another question.. are gates racing belts worth the extra over dayco/bosch/nissan belts? (the gates ancillary belt kit is about $40 more) Anyone used dayco are they ok or to be avoided ?

Can anyone comment on these brake pads: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nissan-Skyline-R32-R33-R34-RDA-EXTREME-F-R-FULL-SET-/120846741784?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c2306f118

Super cheap for a whole set.. and they claim low dust / noise etc.. or is this a bad idea are bendix ultimates the minimum any of you would put on there daily drivers? ( 4 times the price for a whole set tho.. ) I don't have any brake squeel and I don't want it..

Lastly, do you need workshop tools to change belts or can you do it yourself ?