Black plugs, missing, whats going on?

[marty1mc]

Have you tested the compression? I would start there and make sure you aren't having ring or valve issues that are causing it. Put fresh fuel in it after draining what is in there and don't add octane booster to it. Put in new plugs, clean all your connectors for CAS, PTU, coil packs, injectors, TPS.

One reason I've never bothered is that when it decides to run well, it runs very well, and very strong. If I was having compression problems, that would not happen right.

No, you should still do a base compression. It is also possible the octane booster you are using is causing this.

When you pulled the plugs, did you feel the black soot on the plugs? If it smears, it's oil. If it's gritty, its gas residue.

[McShanks]

Hey, here is a link to the plenum pull AND TB cooling jacket delete in one. Includes pics and diagrams.

http://tech.aus300zx.com/Rear_Water_Hos ... ement.html

[NolimitZ32]

Seafoam should not be used on turbocharged vehicles, don't know why but I know that Seafoam specifically recommends their product NOT be used on turboed cars, it has something to do with the seals in the turbo and the heat and chemical reaction and corrosion.

[rightfoot]

>Have you tested the compression?

That will take a while then. I need to buy a compression gauge and find time to get on this. Been super busy the last few weeks but would love to resolve it this summer so I could enjoy it more next year.

[rightfoot]

Hey, here is a link to the plenum pull AND TB cooling jacket delete in one. Includes pics and diagrams.

http://tech.aus300zx.com/Rear_Water_Hos ... ement.html

Looking at this, sure doesn't look like we missed anything. We were able to see all around it, just that something underneath was holding it from being pulled.

Thanks for the link, I'll print this off so I don't lose it.

[rightfoot]

Seafoam should not be used on turbocharged vehicles, don't know why but I know that Seafoam specifically recommends their product NOT be used on turboed cars, it has something to do with the seals in the turbo and the heat and chemical reaction and corrosion.

Aw dang? A possible easy fix is out the window now? Plus I have a can of something I can't use hehe.

[NolimitZ32]

You don't have to buy the Comp gauge, autozone loans them. as for seafoam, it really doesn't do much well, you get much better esults going through and doing most of the cleaning by hand and replacing stuff like the fuel filter and pump sock.

[rightfoot]

>When you pulled the plugs, did you feel the black soot on the plugs? If it smears, it's oil.
>If it's gritty, its gas residue.

I checked the plugs I pulled since they were still sitting on the bench. No oil, just gritty, very black with what appears to be soot. So, burning rich right.

[rightfoot]

You don't have to buy the Comp gauge, autozone loans them. as for seafoam, it really doesn't do much well, you get much better esults going through and doing most of the cleaning by hand and replacing stuff like the fuel filter and pump sock.

Ok, then I've been doing those things to date. I've replaced the filter, not sure what the sock is.

[NolimitZ32]

pump sock is the filter element that goes on your fuel pump inside the tank, its the only thing upstream of your fuel pump.

[marty1mc]

>When you pulled the plugs, did you feel the black soot on the plugs? If it smears, it's oil.
>If it's gritty, its gas residue.

I checked the plugs I pulled since they were still sitting on the bench. No oil, just gritty, very black with what appears to be soot. So, burning rich right.

If it didn't smear on your fingers,gritty, then it's fuel. Get fresh fuel and DON'T add octane booster. I am beginning to suspect you may have created this problem...

[rightfoot]

pump sock is the filter element that goes on your fuel pump inside the tank, its the only thing upstream of your fuel pump.

If it's in the tank then no, I've not done that. I don't even know how to get at it. Guess I need to look that up too. I'm a basic back yard mechanic and can do pretty much anything when I have someone who has more knowledge with me but alone, I'm much more nervous about messing something up.

But again, aren't we maybe on the wrong track? The problem is intermittent. One day the car will run just fine, an hour later or the next time I turn it on it'll run badly again. I mean, it sure could be bad fuel and I probably should change what ever I need to that is fuel related since it's never been done, other than the fuel filter in the engine compartment.

[rightfoot]

>If it didn't smear on your fingers,gritty, then it's fuel. Get fresh fuel and DON'T add
>octane booster. I am beginning to suspect you may have created this problem...

Aw, you say that like I tried to hurt my baby!
I was adding booster just before heading out to the track when I was running the car.

A couple of times I added it when starting it after it sat all Winter thinking it might help as the fuel had been sitting. I've heard conflicting things about what to do when parking it for Winter. Some folks say make sure there's barely any fuel in it, others say make sure there's a lot of fuel in it.

My guess is that a lot of fuel sitting means that much more residue working itself to the bottom.
On the other hand, less fuel, more chance of it evaporating and having more grunge in it.

Dunno.

[NolimitZ32]

1) Fuel sitting over a month is OLD fuel like really OLD and should be drained if possible.
2)Octane boosters do more bad than good, they are usually a composition of industrial solvents that on a very small scale act like diesel, they don't actually raise your octane level but rather dilute your fuel and make it less usable to your car. The reason they are called "octane boosters" is because they do make it harder for the fuel to combust but in a bad way. They also have a lot of crap in them that's really bad for spark plugs, injector seals, and O2 sensors. And finally they will NEVER help performance, they will only hurt it. and next time before going to the track just fill up with premium and go, the car is tuned for a certain type of fuel so technically even putting 114 R+N/2 (race fuel) wouldn't net you any gains, unless you manually advance the timing )which is a dangerous idea)
3)When storing the car use as much fuel as possible then go put about 1/4 or 1/3 of a tank of good gas and ad some iso-heet to keep moisture out, then add another bottle when taking out of storage and immediately fill it to the brim with good premium.

Since the problem is intermittent and you haven't pin-pointed a single event that may cause it to show up I'd guess its something electrical.

[StormzUSMC]

I'll take a look at the Z...If you haven't checked for water in the tank with some sar-gel then I'll do that first. It could be as little as a bad ground (though doubtful) it does sound electrical.