1990 300zx Post Mechanic Inspection Questions.

[ninjafaces]

Ok so I just finished up at my local mechanics getting the car inspected for possible purchase. The car had a engine rebuild around 7k miles ago. The only noticeable thing they found is this. I'm looking for opinions from those on the interwebs. I've test driven the car, runs and drives great and is in amazing condition for a 300zx. Owner is asking around 5k for the car.

A small leak on the front seal of the A/C compressor. They claim the oil was a clear color and wish to replace the A/C compressor. As it stands right now the A/C blows cold and works just fine. They want 380 for a Re-manu compressor and 430 for labor.

They also found a small oil leak which they suspect is the front crankshaft seal. They want to replace seals. While they're under there they recommend replacing the timing belt. 30ish for seals and 700 for labor. The thing is, 7k miles previously the car had the engine rebuilt and when I looked at the car I didn't notice any oil below it or on the motor.

Thanks in advance.


Allen

[ThisIsSparTTa]

Ummm, if the engine is rebuilt the seals should be new unless they did a really shoddy job. Then that begs the question of why these seals are failing if they did their 60 or 120k on time. If you need seals and a timing belt you likely need to do the complete 60 or 120k kit. Don't just pick and choose components.

Also that labor seems really high for the AC compressor, but I dont know much about that repair.

[ninjafaces]

Ummm, if the engine is rebuilt the seals should be new unless they did a really shoddy job. Then that begs the question of why these seals are failing if they did their 60 or 120k on time. If you need seals and a timing belt you likely need to do the complete 60 or 120k kit. Don't just pick and choose components.

Also that labor seems really high for the AC compressor, but I dont know much about that repair.

I'm sitting here scratching my head at it as well. When I looked at it I didn't see any oil on the engine or ground. The engine runs perfectly. Then again, when I asked if they could find the leak it took 5 mechanics and the manager to find it. Sounds more sketchy then anything.

[ThisIsSparTTa]

Doesn't sound like you took it to a Z shop. I would try to find a local one ASAP. Front main seal = oil EVERYWHERE

[ninjafaces]

Doesn't sound like you took it to a Z shop. I would try to find a local one ASAP. Front main seal = oil EVERYWHERE

Yeah... When I pulled up to his house there wasn't a single drop of oil on his driveway nor on the motor and the car ran fine when I took it to the shop.

If you know one in Melbourne, Fl I'd be happy to take it there. As it stands I don't know of one.

[Fearspect]

Okay, I had somewhat similar 'issues' come up from mechanics looking at it. They found all sorts of leaks and suggested all kinds of labour to replace the cost.

There is another possibility: The person that did the previous engine work was just messy (a pig). What they suspected were oil leaks all over the place was actually just oil left all over the outside from him not doing his work tidily. When things were cleaned, no leaks were found anywhere on my car.

I don't think the mechanic was being malicious and suggesting work that wasn't required, I just think the two situations (legit leaks and just mess) can easily be mistaken.

Some food for thought, hopefully.

[ninjafaces]

Yeah more then likely I'll try to talk him down to 4500. It's the best condition 300zx I've seen in my area. The only reason why he's selling this one is because he bought a TT

[Ace2cool]

Oh god a GTZ lip on an N/A bumper.

[Rager]

[quote="Ace2cool"]Oh god a GTZ lip on an N/A bumper.[/qu

it doesnt look THAT bad

cue the wheel police.

we need a wheel police smilie, a smilie with a blue cop hat on and red and blue lights flashing .... idk just a thought

[DCaff300ZX]

Doesn't sound like you took it to a Z shop. I would try to find a local one ASAP. Front main seal = oil EVERYWHERE

Things are definitely not lining up with the rebuild date and claims of oil leaks, I'd suspect that the first shop is looking for easy repair bills and would clean anything up and inspect again in a week or two, then if necessary take to a different shop for evaluation.
I've had all sorts of bad luck and shoddy work from "reputable" mechanics and shops over the years, much of it due to how intricate Z32's are and how little the shops feel the average owner truly knows about the car. Worst one of all was a shop claiming oil leak, and showing me oil on the suspension just below the oil filter that had just been changed...

[ninjafaces]

Doesn't sound like you took it to a Z shop. I would try to find a local one ASAP. Front main seal = oil EVERYWHERE

Things are definitely not lining up with the rebuild date and claims of oil leaks, I'd suspect that the first shop is looking for easy repair bills and would clean anything up and inspect again in a week or two, then if necessary take to a different shop for evaluation.
I've had all sorts of bad luck and shoddy work from "reputable" mechanics and shops over the years, much of it due to how intricate Z32's are and how little the shops feel the average owner truly knows about the car. Worst one of all was a shop claiming oil leak, and showing me oil on the suspension just below the oil filter that had just been changed...

Aye I'm going to contact the owner and get it reinspected this weekend then shoot him a offer depending on what they find.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Does the owner have any proof of a rebuild? If the FMS or RMS was leaking you'd notice it on the bottom of the engine and most likely on the ground.