Help!1984 300zx starts but not for long!!

[pic4run]

It will start, then runs for 30 seconds to 10 minutes then shuts off????

[ThisIsSparTTa]

This belongs in the Z31 forums. You're going to need better details of the problem to get meaningful help. What troubleshooting have you tried?

[pic4run]

changed fuel filter, which helped. When it runs, it sounds better. But it still dies. Fuel pump is working, I can hear it. Curios thing....... we had a flood in Phoenix which my son go caught in. When he drove down the street, the water was flush with the bottom of the car for a couple of miles.....then started the issues?

[evildky]

Have you checked the ecu for codes yet? if not thats step one. I'd suspect the FICD or the Ignitor, but could also be the distributor.

[pic4run]

I have not checked the ecu codes. I will. Could it be the fuel pressure regulator? It's making a distinct hissing noise.

[evildky]

The very first thing I'd do is check the ecu for codes.

The fpr, can fail in one of 2 ways. One is that the spring weakens and it stops sealing internally so pressure bleeds out once you shut the car off adding a few cranks to the restart after sitting a bit to repressurise the rail. The second is the the internal diaphragm to fail sending copious amounts of fuel into the intake plenum by way of the vac line coming off the fpr. Neither sounds to be your issue.

You didn't specify if the car restarts after dieing? If the car restarts without issue the problem is likely in the ficv.

[pic4run]

The car does not start after dieing. I'm not sure why or when it restarts

[pic4run]

Once again, I charged my battery, because the cranking is starting to wear it down. After about a ten minute charge, it fired.... at idle it rhythmically acted as though it was going to stop, so I jumped in and increased the rpms to a smoother higher pace. I could have kept it there forever? But I decided to test the idle again after 15 minutes, and............it died! A quick attempt to start it.......almost, but no, then nothing, back to square one.

Does this help a diagnosis?

ECU came back a 11.

[evildky]

Code 11, = CAS which would be the distributor. If you can keep the car runnign by modulating the throttle then the FIC is likely dirty, sticking, bad or just needs adjustment.

[pic4run]

Ok! I'm an idiot.....FIC? Fuel Injector ???

[evildky]

Well I missed a letter, FICV, Fast Idle Control Valve, which on the z31 is actually called a FICD, fast idle control device. although it could be the iacv, idle air control valve. the idle air control valve is adjusted to regulate air flow at idle, the ficv or ficd regulated high idle, for cold starts, when the ac is on etc.

[pic4run]

Had a bad day! Was changing spark plugs..........dropped a small bolt down into spark plug hole, I bought a magnet on a stick.......nothing! Fist of all, why cant i get it? What can I do?

[G-E]

Well, is your magnet flexible? Maybe it's too weak?