Nissanboy Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Hello, I'm fairly new to the forum, joined a few weeks ago. I had a thread that I created when I first joined asking about any Datsun 620's near by Houston for sale. So I did find one on craigslist, went yesterday to check it out in Dallas and it seemed to be running fair. So I bought it from the guy on for a fair price and was driving it back to Houston. About an hour and a half way down towards Houston, I heard some sort of loud misfire type of noise and everything just shut down. I managed to get it on the shoulder of the freeway and took a look at it. It's something internal inside the engine and would not run. Lucky a friend of mine was following me so I did manage to get back home but I could not get in hold of anyone capable of helping me bring back the truck to Houston. I had to leave it there, and I'm just hating myself for it. So I ask you fellow Ratsun members; knowing it's a holiday for many of us and most of us are busy but if there's anyone that can help me get tow the truck back to Houston I would be forever in debt. I can help with gas and such but I don't have enough money for a wrecker (which were asking over $1200). I just need some sort of miracle, please. Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 maybe rent a tow bar from uhaul if you can think of one of your friends with a truck, if nobody here is able to help Quote Link to comment
philcas1987 Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 maybe rent a tow bar from uhaul if you can think of one of your friends with a truck, if nobody here is able to help thats what i was going to say rent the van ant tow dolly. sorry to hear. thats one hard lesson Quote Link to comment
Nissanboy Posted December 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 That's my plan to do tomorrow since theyre not open today. I just hope the truck is still there Quote Link to comment
I'm BLUE Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 That sucks!!! Attend to it as soon as u can so a tow companydoesnt snag it. Tow.Dolly agreed ... I like flat beds for long tows. Best luck man Quote Link to comment
DatWifey Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Another thought would be to call any friends and family and see if anyone has AAA. If they go with you and call AAA you can get the truck towed with their benefits. Quote Link to comment
I'm BLUE Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Another thought would be to call any friends and family and see if anyone has AAA. If they go with you and call AAA you can get the truck towed with their benefits. Way good idea! !! :D Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 If towing more than 30 -50 miles you should disconnect the driveshaft at the diff and wire it SECURELY up out of the way. The counter shaft won't be turning when towing in neutral and the mainshaft bearings won't be getting any splash lube. Quote Link to comment
Nissanboy Posted December 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 If towing more than 30 -50 miles you should disconnect the driveshaft at the diff and wire it SECURELY up out of the way. The counter shaft won't be turning when towing in neutral and the mainshaft bearings won't be getting any splash lube. Unless I tow it from the front up, right? Thanks for letting me know, didn't think about that Quote Link to comment
Nissanboy Posted December 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Mistype Quote Link to comment
Nissanboy Posted December 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Another thought would be to call any friends and family and see if anyone has AAA. If they go with you and call AAA you can get the truck towed with their benefits. How exactly would this work? Quote Link to comment
Str8_69 Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 How exactly would this work? AAA goes with the driver, not the car, so AAA insured person just has to claim they were driving. However towing is usually limited to nearest place of repair of your choice within reason, usually less than 60 miles or so IIRC. So if you have a long ways to go, tow dolly is the way. Quote Link to comment
philcas1987 Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 that a great idea! easy someone with membership calls aaa says they need a tow done and done for at least 100 miles. they dont need to own the car Quote Link to comment
danfiveten Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Home depot, wrent a truck for 20 bucks plus milage, go to uhaul renta dolley and there ya go. ive had to do that before. Quote Link to comment
Nissanboy Posted December 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 AAA goes with the driver, not the car, so AAA insured person just has to claim they were driving. However towing is usually limited to nearest place of repair of your choice within reason, usually less than 60 miles or so IIRC. So if you have a long ways to go, tow dolly is the way. I see, unfortunately its going to be about 300miles. Quote Link to comment
philcas1987 Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 I see, unfortunately its going to be about 300miles. thats a long drive in an ownknown datsun. man ive looked cars over and was very confident but still had problems along the way Quote Link to comment
DatWifey Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Oh, yeah, 300 is a bit outside of the range that they'll tow for free. Their different plans allow different mileage, but I know that their "Plus" or "Premium" plan allows 100 miles free. I've used it more times than I can count between my old '81 Subaru and cars since then. As long as a member with their card is with you, the car will be towed to your choice of place. Their only requirement is that they will only tow the car once, so if you tow it home, you won't be able to use AAA again to tow the same car to a mechanic, etc. But yeah, 300 is going to be one hell of a bill with a tow truck, so clearly getting it towed by a rented or privately owned trailer will be your cheapest bet. It was worth a shot though, I don't know shit about where cities are in Texas.... guess I could have used google maps :P Sucks that it's Christmas day though. I'd do like others recommended and see if you can check on it today, and then go tow it tomorrow when places are open to rent from. Quote Link to comment
I'm BLUE Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Reserve/rent a tow Dolly or trailer right now .... lots of broken cars and travelers today ... could be higher demand idk Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Unless I tow it from the front up, right? Thanks for letting me know, didn't think about that If you tow with the front off the ground the rear and the driveshaft is turning and that is not good for the transmission. (anyone remember skunk and JDM510?) If you tow with the rear off the ground you're ok. Quote Link to comment
I'm BLUE Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 If you tow with the front off the ground the rear and the driveshaft is turning and that is not good for the transmission. (anyone remember skunk and JDM510?) If you tow with the rear off the ground you're ok. Word Quote Link to comment
Nissanboy Posted December 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 If you tow with the front off the ground the rear and the driveshaft is turning and that is not good for the transmission. (anyone remember skunk and JDM510?) If you tow with the rear off the ground you're ok. Right that's what I meant, the rear off the ground. Good catch, I wouldve completely over looked it Quote Link to comment
Rhapakatui Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Any other time, I'd be en route with a truck and trailer, but I've got Christmas stuff today, and I'm leaving on a cruise tomorrow. Won't be back til after New year's. Nissanboy texted me earlier about it. I suggested a Ratsun SOS hoping one of our Texas members had a trailer. Good luck man. Sorry again. 1 Quote Link to comment
Nissanboy Posted December 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 Any other time, I'd be en route with a truck and trailer, but I've got Christmas stuff today, and I'm leaving on a cruise tomorrow. Won't be back til after New year's. Nissanboy texted me earlier about it. I suggested a Ratsun SOS hoping one of our Texas members had a trailer. Good luck man. Sorry again. It's all good mate, I know I shoudlve done this on a different day but it is what it is. Thanks for the help and have fun on your cruise Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 So I bought it from the guy on for a fair price and was driving it back to Houston. About an hour and a half way down towards Houston, I heard some sort of loud misfire type of noise and everything just shut down. I managed to get it on the shoulder of the freeway and took a look at it. It's something internal inside the engine and would not run. Does the engine crank over by hand? How much troubleshooting were you able to do? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 25, 2011 Report Share Posted December 25, 2011 So I bought it from the guy on for a fair price and was driving it back to Houston. About an hour and a half way down towards Houston, I heard some sort of loud misfire type of noise and everything just shut down. I managed to get it on the shoulder of the freeway and took a look at it. It's something internal inside the engine and would not run. This could be a head gasket. It's a $30 fix if you do it yourself at home. Just sayin'... Quote Link to comment
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