Questions on a 97 Sentra GXE

[BlackBulletTSi]

Aite everyone. So I'm obviously in need of a new car since mines been teh Stolenz. Well a family friend of ours is willing to sell me this 97 Nissan Sentra GXE. I just took it for a test drive and it seems strong. However I don't know ISH about these cars. It does have a slight valve tap that seems to go away after i get into like 3rd gear. It is an auto though which sucks but at this point I dont care. I needs me a point a to point b car and this seems to be a bargin. The help I need from you fellow TSTers is what should I be looking for. This car has all the receipts from like the past 8 years since they've owned it. The slight valve tap they said is from a while ago when water got into the engine from running over a puddle or something to that effect. I got the story second hand from my father lol. They did have the engine completely tuned up and what not when it happened. Documentation is included. They said its had the tap about 2 years now. Theres no leaks or anything, we've had it about 2 days now checking it out. Also anyone that knows these cars able to give it a look over for me to that'd be great. I appreciate the replys THANKS!!

[[sr20]sean]

it should work as a daily. i wouldnt use it on the track if it has a tick though

[BlackBulletTSi]

Yea I been driving around, the tick keeps kinda coming and going. I was thinkin about pickin up another motor and building it.

[Honest_Bob]

I had a 94, and a 98 sentra (same GA16DE motor) and my sister had a 94. They make a really good reliable daily driver. My sister beat the LIVING **** out of hers. It was still running when she sold it.

I had the 98 since around 54k miles, my dad now rocks it and its past 100k miles. Only thing thats been replaced on it was the alternator, battery, and the rear main seal.

The rear main seal is known to go out. The tell tale sign that its going out is the back end of the car mysteriously getting dirtier than the rest of the car. Just run your finger on the rear bumper, it'll be a dirt/oil mixture. I had the rear main seal replaced by a mechanic for something like $100. The brakes on my sentra warped very easily, but you just live with it.

BUY IT! :thumbup:

Mine didnt tick, but it could be the timing chain tensioner. Thats right... timing chain. Never needs to be replaced. :)


http://www.nissanforums.com/b14-95-99-chassis/

[Honest_Bob]

oh they tend to rust in the door jambs.

[[sr20]sean]

Yea I been driving around, the tick keeps kinda coming and going. I was thinkin about pickin up another motor and building it.

nothing against the GA but you can consider doing a sr20 swap. both engines will be quick but the sr is higher reving

oh they tend to rust in the door jambs.

yea but you can fix it before it goes too far.

[Honest_Bob]

Yeah, the GA16DE isnt worth modding. Which could be a good thing. :)

[cburwell]

Yeah, the GA16DE isnt worth modding. Which could be a good thing. :)

Tell that to WES!

GXE's make good dailys. I would figure out exactly what's up with that tap (How long it's been going on, where it's coming from, etc).

[Honest_Bob]

Tell that to WES!

GXE's make good dailys. I would figure out exactly what's up with that tap (How long it's been going on, where it's coming from, etc).

I'm not knocking wes, but there are so many more parts readily availible for the sr20.

[BlackBulletTSi]

yea I was looking at doing both, would like to to the turbo version. However the price is a bit up there and I have no idea really how to do the swap. I have since purchased the vehical and been driving it around. The tick I've been told has been there for about 2 years. mechanic claimed it good and it doesn't seem to be lacking any power for a 1.6L. Anyone know who could do the sr20 and for how much I mean it'd be a bit down the road until I find me a new job. as far as the rust goes I have none as of yet and I been tryin to keep her as clean as possible

[Honest_Bob]

Financially your better off starting with an sr20 powered car, unless you can pickup a donar SE-R for real real cheap. You need the engine, sr20 tranny and axles. There might be a few more things.

http://www.sr20forum.com/ contains all the info you need.

FWD SR20 powered cars.
1991-1994 Sentra SE-R
1991-1993 NX2000
1991-2001 Infinity G20
1995-1999 200SX SE-R (98 and 99 didnt have LSD)
1998-1999 Sentra SE
2000-2001 Sentra SE (Stronger trannys)