It's cold out; Check your fuel clamps!

[Oh Em Zee]

It's finally cold in California. (Yeah, an entire 50 degrees cold at night. BURR! )
Please take a moment to check your fuel clamps.
In the cold weather, the fuel hoses contract leaving fuel clamps loose and fuel leaks spring up on cold starts.
Last year, there were 2 Z32 fires that I recall off hand; one by a member of the enthusiast forums. Don't let this happen to you.
I made this video in hopes of teaching new owners about this issue. Hopefully this will aid you in finding the location of all 20 fuel clamps.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGZjNv-zqSQ[/youtube]

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Yep, and when you're replacing:

http://zspeedperformance.com/Nissan-300 ... SFI100.htm

Spring clamps are 16439-16E0A, never tighten another clamp again!

[300ZXttZMAN]

+1 check your clamps.

I already saw 1 burnt Z this winter season on one of the Insurance auto auctions.

https://www.iaai.com/Vehicles/VehicleDe ... wNumber=15#

[Afi]

Thanks guys, now you got me all worried . Time to go get that screwdriver especially since 50F is a normal temperature here in Montreal at this time of the year and the Z will only hit the storage in 3 weeks.

[Afi]

Good, I've found out that only 2 were some kind of loose. However, I didn't manage to check the ones hidden by the throttle cover because I don't have the proper tool at home, what is the size of the bolt?

[Oh Em Zee]

Yep, and when you're replacing:
http://zspeedperformance.com/Nissan-300 ... SFI100.htm
Spring clamps are 16439-16E0A, never tighten another clamp again!

Also found here, all 20 clamps: http://www.conceptzperformance.com/Cart ... hp?II=9365

+1 check your clamps.
I already saw 1 burnt Z this winter season on one of the Insurance auto auctions.
https://www.iaai.com/Vehicles/VehicleDe ... wNumber=15#

Noooooooooooooooooo

I don't want to see another cooked Z after the publishing of my video. That's the goal. Make sure you tell people at local meets and make it a big issue this year

Good, I've found out that only 2 were some kind of loose. However, I didn't manage to check the ones hidden by the throttle cover because I don't have the proper tool at home, what is the size of the bolt?

5mm Allen\hex key. Ran out on the cold, bare footed to mic that out for you and to put in the video as an annotation. Make sure to do your part and get all those clamps checked now to hold up your end of the deal

[Afi]

^^^Thanks! No worry, the only ones left to check are the ones hidden by the cover. Trust me, cooking a perfectly running still under 60K Z would sadden me a whole lot!

Damn, now I got another problem. I've managed to find the right Allan key but it seems as if the last time I brought the car for maintenance, the must have tighten the cover with an automatic ratchet or something. None of the screws won't budge!

[Oh Em Zee]

Try shooting a small amount of PB Blaster (penetrating oil) into the holes on the throttle cable cover. They may have gotten corroded and will need extra torque to remove for the first time. Once you have them out, take them to a wire wheel or wire brush and clean the threads to the best of your ability.

[johnshop]

i gotta replace the fuel line right between the throttle body... :/ boy that is going to be fun....

[DCaff300ZX]

^^^Yep, just had to tighten that Bastard Hose from Hell myself, not much fun. The passenger side wasn't bad, but the one on the driver's side needed a long narrow screwdriver to pry up and hold from the side while tightening...tough to set up but got it done.
Also check both but especially the lower fuel dampener clamp, mine was also loose there and leaking slightly...

[johnshop]

i am glad this thread reminded me... i had a fuel hose with the wrong clamp and it cracked the hose so badly it was leaking, the little line right under the fuel dampener. so tomorrow i hopefully can make a little trip to importpartspro and get me some hoses.

good thing for me is that the bastard hose from hell at least for me can be done without pulling plenum, both of the clamps are looking up and i can work some surgery to get a new fuel hose in there. good stuff!

funny thing tho is that i get no fuel smell from that extremely leaky hose, but from the seemingly dry bastard hose, that's where i am getting a little fuel smell...



so people please do yourselves a big favor, do not only tighten the clamps also check your lines.

[Oh Em Zee]

You're the third person today that the thread saved! Boy that is a bad one too. Glad you caught it!!

[DCaff300ZX]

i am glad this thread reminded me... i had a fuel hose with the wrong clamp and it cracked the hose so badly it was leaking, the little line right under the fuel dampener.

Glad you mentioned this as I am still getting an occasional whiff and will re-check this weekend, and your story strikes a nerve since I had leakage there at the lower dampener clamp.
Thanks for the mental prod!

[IonZ32]

Been smelling gas recently as well. Gave this a go and so far no smell of gas! Needless to say, I'm a happy camper! My buddy also has a Z, so I'll get him to do this as well. Thanks again!

[johnshop]

i am glad this thread reminded me... i had a fuel hose with the wrong clamp and it cracked the hose so badly it was leaking, the little line right under the fuel dampener.

Glad you mentioned this as I am still getting an occasional whiff and will re-check this weekend, and your story strikes a nerve since I had leakage there at the lower dampener clamp.
Thanks for the mental prod!

ah no problem, today in the morning i finally replaced it and it's all good!, now i think i have to change the bastard line i still get a little smell from the front...i guess a plenum pull will be in order soon

[Z90]

I know this thread is two years old, but I wanted to thank the OP.

I have owned a 1990 300ZX since 2003 and have loved it until about a year ago when it developed a gas leak.

Now I'm not the most mechanical minded or able guy, but I know my way around most engines, but the guts of a ZX motor had me pretty intimidated.

The first repair I had on the car was some small part that had to do with the oil pressure. It was in the heart of the engine and the $20 part ended up costing me a few hundred to replace.

That said, I wasn't happy with the the prospect of fixing this gas leak. The car has set more than a year. Then I happened across this thread. I previously wasn't actively looking to find the fix myself... but then I decided to look around the internet.

With the information I found here I was able to trace the fuel lines (based on previous experience I expected these to be hiding someplace I couldn't reach, find the suspect hose (it was the short one on the dampener - had a hole worn in it), replace the hose and fuel filter and tighten the 20 clamps. She Runs!

So appreciative of you guys giving me my baby back for only about $15 and some knuckle grease.

Thanks so Much,

John

[RubyRed300ZX]

You can't just say "thanks." That's totally inadequate. We charge for all this. Going rate is you have to at least post a pic of your car.