Skyline Buyers Guide

[Mr. Oizo]

just thought i'd help out ppl that r about to buy skylines..

if anyone wants to make this sticky.. go ahead

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The year of manufacture can be found by looking at the front seatbelts, near the floor mounting point. There is a fabric tag with the seatbelt specifications and the year of manufacture sewn onto the webbing.

Inspect the welded seams in the front door sills just below the plastic kick plate. This is where I have seen rust start to form on Skylines, especially the R32. The R33 has an identical seam, so these will also show in years to come.

Remove the rubber around the boot rim – this is a prime rust spot in any car. While you are in there, look in the side panels and make sure they are not full of water.

Feel inside the panels in the boot where the jack is – debris found here will tell a story.

Watch for glass (broken rear window or tail lights at some point)

Inside the engine bay, look for crayon or chalk marks on components – this may indicate they have been replaced with second-hand parts.

Crawl under the car and inspect behind the front and rear bumpers for signs of collusion damage.

If you are keen, use a set of vernier callipers to measure the panel gaps especially on the doors.

Mechanical – a noisy ceramic turbo isn't a good sign – see if it has been replaced with a conventional steel type.

With the front wheels off the ground, check the play in the top end – any more than 5mm and there could be expensive repairs needed.

Watch the oil pressure when the car is hot – Keep in mind the oil pressure sender is prone to failure. These are the factory specifications for oil pressure on the RB20DET:

1kg/cm 2 @ 600 rpm

3kg/cm 2 @ 2000 rpm

4kg/cm 2 @ 6000 rpm

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After Purchase

As you may not know the history of the car, it is best to start with a full service.

Air filter – replace.

Fuel filter – replace.

Run a bottle of injector cleaner through the system with the next tank of petrol.

Oil filter – replace, and change the oil. If there is a sludge problem do a hot oil change and repeat within 1,000 km. Don't use an engine flush treatment.

Automatic transmission – have the oil changed. The transmission cooler should also be flushed.

Spark plugs – replace. Make sure they are replaced with the platinum resister type.

Timing belt – inspect and replace. Nissan specify a 100,000 km life for these. Be safe and prevent the rain of valves.

Radiator – add plenty of anti-freeze. Without the protection of anti-freeze (corrosion inhibitor) there are parts that will corrode and eventually cause you grief. Check the condition of all the hoses while you are at it.

Battery – monitor and replace if needed. Japanese car batteries are smaller than the regular sized car battery, and it may be the factory fitted battery (over five or six years old)

ECU – reset it. Make it learn our driving conditions.