And the mechanic said...

[TeenHeat]

I took my car to the mechanic yesterday to get a bumper to bumper inspection - I just wanted to know what I needed to fix. He says he's worked on Z's many times before. This is the list he gave me:

- Needs all new struts- Needs a new Seering rack- I have a radiator leak somewhere- Possible rear main seal leak, because engine oil is low- I need both front ball joints replaced (lower control arms)- I need a new AC compresor- I need new front brakes pads- Oh, and he says I need to do a compression test, because he doesn't think I have good compression but he's not sure.

The good news... He said that he thinks I just need to bleed my clutch lines, and he thinks I'll be fine.

Does anyone in the Central Florida area want to help out a broke 19 year old fix up his car haha? It's summer time (today was my last exam) so it looks like I'll be spending all my summer working my *** off trying to fix up this car.

Anyone know where I should start? Any advice?

[terrorontheroadways]

I'm in wellington (west palm beach) so if you're ever down this way I can lend a hand with basic ****...there's a bunch of guys from the orlando area on here and twinturbo.net. All friendly people, we love fellow enthusiasts.

[P3ngy]

Blah who needs A/C when you have T-Tops. And I'm sure just getting your suspension services aka lubricated will hold you over. It's not like you are going to the track anytime soon. The oil problem though, you will probably have to get a part time job for >.< Seals are a ***** to get to, and at our age is better to let a mechanic touch. Parents won't help you out with the oil problems vs. your motor blowing?

[TeenHeat]

I'm in wellington (west palm beach) so if you're ever down this way I can lend a hand with basic ****...there's a bunch of guys from the orlando area on here and twinturbo.net. All friendly people, we love fellow enthusiasts.

I'm not really sure what you mean by simple ****. Is replacing the lower control arms simple? I can change the oil and replace the brake pads myself, but nothing really too complex after that. I'd love to learn though.

I live in Palm Bay, just south of Melbourne.

[TeenHeat]

Blah who needs A/C when you have T-Tops. And I'm sure just getting your suspension services aka lubricated will hold you over. It's not like you are going to the track anytime soon. The oil problem though, you will probably have to get a part time job for >.< Seals are a ***** to get to, and at our age is better to let a mechanic touch. Parents won't help you out with the oil problems vs. your motor blowing?

I live in florida, and the car is black. A/C is a nice conveniance, but since I'm short on money, it'll get fixed last along with stuff like the trim and antenna motor.

The mechanic said NOT to drive the car at all until I replace the lower control arms. I've worked full time since I was 15 years old, but I still don't make enough money to cover the 4 grand my mechanic said it would cost to fix everything.

[Chrispy300]

He reckons your rear main may be gone because you are low on oil?!? Is it actually leaking or are you just getting blowby?

Chuck the AC, steering rack is a PITA, get the coolant system pressure tested and fix the leak, at worst it's a horrible hose on the back of the motor or a busted rad, struts and pads are easy.

[demonyoka420]

I wouldnt believe a thing they told you, learn how to perform test on everything yourself. Its not hard and it will end up saving you alot of money. For example a compression test which you could easily do yourself which your "mechanic" should have already done for you if he suspected anything.

[nissanz300]

i live in palm bay/melbourne/grant area. let me know always willing to help out a fellow z owner.

[fairladyz1990]

Come on yall have to start somewere right??? Your Z is it... Im only 19, but have a realy good job as a GM.. but Z's arent that bad to work on as people make them to be.. I have had two Z's, one NA and my current Z is a TTZ.. But the point is I have never taken either one to a machanic for anything, just get a couple of friends over who are good in the department.. Me and a few buddies did a full turbo, clutch, injector swap in just 2 days... Z's are amazing cars, and you will appreciate it even more once you start working on it...

[TeenHeat]

Come on yall have to start somewere right??? Your Z is it... Im only 19, but have a realy good job as a GM.. but Z's arent that bad to work on as people make them to be.. I have had two Z's, one NA and my current Z is a TTZ.. But the point is I have never taken either one to a machanic for anything, just get a couple of friends over who are good in the department.. Me and a few buddies did a full turbo, clutch, injector swap in just 2 days... Z's are amazing cars, and you will appreciate it even more once you start working on it...

Easier said then done buddy. I don't have a job as a GM, so it's a little more difficult to do work on your car when you're struggling to buy the parts.

[TeenHeat]

Ok, so yesterday I changed my oil and bled my clutch system. The clutch works great now and the car runs great with fresh oil, but I have another problem.

When I push the brake pedal in just a little bit it makes a really annoying whistling sound. I had a buddy of mine who nows cars pretty well ride in the car with me. He got out of the car and listened. He said it's coming from somewhere around the brake master cylinder. He also said it might be a vacuum leak, because when I hold the brake and make the sound, and then accelerate the sound stops once the car starts to hit boost.

Has anyone ever had this problem? It's very strange.

[fairladyz1990]

Could be a bad master cylinder loosing the pressure... Does you brake pedal feel spungy at points???

[TeenHeat]

The brake pedal feels ok. I don't think it feels spongy but I'll look into it more. Any thoughts on it being a vacuum leak?