2002 NISSAN SKYLINE

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Coolant disappearing with no visible leaks, Overheating under boost, Milky oil or oil in coolant reservoir

Fix: Cylinder head removal, resurface both heads, replace gaskets and ARP studs recommended for boosted applications. Expect 18-24 labor hours if doing both heads properly with valve job. RB25DET sees this less often but still happens at higher mileage.

Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Loud ticking/tapping at idle that may quiet with RPM, Noise worsens when engine is cold, Loss of power if lifter collapses completely, Check engine light with misfire codes in severe cases

Fix: RB engines are notorious for lifter noise due to oil starvation or worn lifters. Proper fix requires camshaft removal and replacing all 24 lifters—half-measures lead to comebacks. 10-14 hours labor. Use OEM Nissan lifters, aftermarket quality is inconsistent.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Rough idle with vibration felt through chassis, Visible wobble of crank pulley at idle, Serpentine belt wear or repeated throwing, Rubber separating from outer ring (visible inspection)

Fix: The rubber damper layer deteriorates with age and heat cycles. If the outer ring separates, catastrophic engine damage from timing issues can occur. Replacement is 3-4 hours including accessory removal. Not if but when on 20-year-old cars.

Estimated cost: $600-1,100

Symptoms: ATF puddles under front of vehicle, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement when low, Burnt ATF smell, Lines corroded or weeping at crimp fittings

Fix: Both automatic and manual (yes, manual uses ATF for ATTESA system on GT-Rs) have aging hard lines and rubber sections that crack. Lines run along hot exhaust routes. Replace all cooler lines as a set, not one at a time. 2-4 hours depending on configuration.

Estimated cost: $400-900

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on acceleration, Excessive oil consumption (more than 1qt per 1000mi), Loud whining or grinding from engine bay under boost, Loss of boost pressure, Oil in intercooler piping

Fix: Factory ceramic turbine wheels can fail catastrophically, sending debris into engine. Ball-bearing aftermarket upgrades common during rebuild. Twin-turbo setup means 12-16 hours labor for proper R&R with manifold removal, oil/coolant line replacement. Single-turbo conversions popular at this point.

Estimated cost: $3,000-7,000

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: ATTESA warning light illuminated, AWD system stuck in 2WD mode, Rear wheels steering opposite direction (HICAS), Grinding from transfer case, Loss of power to rear wheels

Fix: Transfer case actuators, pump motors, and HICAS solenoids fail on these complex systems. Diagnosis requires Consult scan tool or equivalent. Many owners delete HICAS for reliability. Transfer case rebuilds run 8-12 hours, HICAS eliminator kits 4-6 hours.

Estimated cost: $1,500-4,500

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, Stumbling or hesitation under acceleration, Fuel smell in cabin or trunk, Check engine light with lean codes, In-tank pump whining loudly

Fix: Fuel pumps, filters (in-tank and inline), and rubber fuel lines age poorly. RB engines are sensitive to fuel pressure—running lean under boost kills engines. Replace pump, filter, and all rubber sections as preventive maintenance. In-tank work is 4-6 hours on Skylines due to tank access.

Estimated cost: $800-1,600