1990 300zx problems

[grg3135]

hey guys, new to the nissan scene, just picked up a 1990 nissan 300zx over the weekend. ive been having some problems with it. rear sway bar needs to be replaced, the shifter bushings are badly worn, the parking break doesnt work, its leaking oil or some other fluid, the drivers side window motor needs to be replaced. most of this, however, i can live with and replace piece by piece as i can afford it. The main problems im having are 1) engine looses power during "spirited driving" and 2)there may be an exhaust leak because i can smell exhaust from inside the cabin after driving for extended periods. to elaborate on the first part. if i baby the car and keep it in low rpm's it runs fine, idles just under 1k rpms. but if i push it at all, and get it past 3 or 4k rpms, it idles funny when i put the clutch back in, it will fluctuate between 500 and 1500 rpms and sometimes stall out completely, at which point i just re-start the car and its fine. i can usually keep it from stalling by easing it back down to 1k rpms or barely pressing the gas when its idleing rough to keep it around the 1-2k mark. i just took it to a nissan dealer and they said they wont even touch it because of after-market parts and the fact that it didnt have a stock wiring harness. they recommending taking it to a performance shop, but i dont know of any in the area (northwest indiana). they did tell me that the throttle position was out of adjustment and that the breather tubes were missing from the exhaust which is probably why i was smelling it. i know next to nothing about cars so i was hoping you guys could give me some advice. what to have checked out/replaced/etc. or atleast a good shop to take it to in the area. thanks guys

[grg3135]

oh, couple things i just remembered, dont know if it will help or not. if the headlights are on when the idle is rough, they dim and brighten in synch with the rpms. outside of all this, i absolutely love the car. body is in perfect condition, fresh paint, no rust, the rubber around all glass is dry and probably needs to be replaced (dont know if it leaks, but i wouldnt be surprised), struts recently replaced, axles recently replaced. and when it runs its a blast to drive. im hoping i can have all repairs made for under a couple grand.

[180fan]

1. the parking brake is from a pull of a cable. have you adjusted it with the adjuster under the handle of the parking brake?

2. define loses power. rpm band, is it sputtering, etc. details. When was the last tune up performed and what was replaced? Last time the throttle position sensor was calibrated? Checked for vac leaks, for a few general ones.

3. poke around under your car in the morning after you give it enough time to cool off and start looking around for exhaust leaks. if you see a hole in the muffler sections, time to get those patched up. otherwise check around the connections and see if the nuts/studs/bolts are loose.

The z32's parts are drying up. If you're gonna look for replacement weather stripping, I'd suggest you do it soon. I'm having a hell of a time finding z32 parts and s13 parts for my s13 now and now I'm forced to make some of my own parts to compensate for the loss of some of these oem parts.

[grg3135]

i wouldnt even know how to adjust it. as far as tune-ups, i JUST got the car, i havent done anything to it and i dont know whats been done recently.as far as what i meant by losing power, i mean the engine dies out. but only when it tries to return to idle after accelleration. Now, i can prevent this by lightly pressing the gas and not letting the rpms drop all the way to zero, if i keep the rpms in around 1k manually (by pressing the gas lightly while the clutch is in), it can rebound and wont die out. It can idle fine when im sitting still, the only time it dies is when trying to idle at higher speeds/gears

[grg3135]

i take that back, i took off the boot on the e-brake and it is adjusted as tight as it will go, its still loose. maybe its disconnected at the other end?

[himsa169]

"Poor drivability: A problem with the power transistor causes drivability and idle problems, and there was a voluntary recall to replace it. (1990-93)"

im sorry but people on these forums just need to take 20 mins n seach for some fixes im brand newto nissan and im getting a 300zx for my dirtbike. and i was looking for common problems.

check out this site.


http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks. ... 00zx-2.htm