Need help - 90 Z32

[73EB]

90 n/a, I bought this car not running. Put used engine in. car runs but seems like its not running on all cyl's. Pulled the 3 drivers side plugs and they have black carbon on them. Plugs only have been run for about 15 min since newly installed. They are the wrong ones according to people on this forum/ BF????????. anyways I pulled the pass side 3 plugs and they appear new as if they have never fired.

Is there anything that stands out from having similar patterns on each head but diff patterns from head to head?

does it matter how the PTU is bolted the the t-belt cover? I know it matters which plug goes where. I just noticed the arrow on it and wondered. Thought there might be a reason it was mounted in front of the cam sharft. Also what part of the PTU wire harness do I put the timing light clamp on for timing? Thanks for you time.
Jeff

[marty1mc]

Do the basics first.

1). clean all the connectors for CAS, PTU, injectors, water temp, coil packs. Get every bit of corrosion off them, and put some di-electric grease in them to seal out moisture.
2). check your fuel and spark by pulling the CAS (crank angle sensor) out from the left intake cam and while the engine is "on", turn it. Listen for clicks on each injector. Next check for spark on each cylinder. Pull the coil pack out, attach a spark plug, ground the body (not the tip) and turn the CAS.
3). Check compression. I hope that before that motor was put in a timing belt was installed? Either way, make sure you have good compression.

Report back what you find.

[73EB]

Just to be sure, How do set the timing, or CAS in place? Do you just put it on TDC and stab the CAS in place?

[73EB]

Do the basics first.

1). clean all the connectors for CAS, PTU, injectors, water temp, coil packs. Get every bit of corrosion off them, and put some di-electric grease in them to seal out moisture.
2). check your fuel and spark by pulling the CAS (crank angle sensor) out from the left intake cam and while the engine is "on", turn it. Listen for clicks on each injector. Next check for spark on each cylinder. Pull the coil pack out, attach a spark plug, ground the body (not the tip) and turn the CAS.
3). Check compression. I hope that before that motor was put in a timing belt was installed? Either way, make sure you have good compression.

Report back what you find.

You really pull the CAS while the engine is running? Won't it quit? Or do you mean the key is turned on to the last point until the starter is engauged?

[es.biggs]

right, key on, engine off

[marty1mc]

^Correct, I should have said "ignition" is on, not engine...

[73EB]

So, I clean all the connectors, find a bad injector/replace it, started it up set the timing and it was running great. then after about one minute it died. and I can't get it started. however if I hold the accelarator down I can get it to sputter for a few seconds. I've messed with the TPS, pulled the plugs and cleaned them. Can't find any blown fuses. I have "55" on my ECU. man i'm frustrated! someone give me some guidence please.

[marty1mc]

Test the TPS, make sure the MAF is working and also the CAS. How old is the gas?

[73EB]

Ok, I will test the TPS. I unplugged the MAF and no diff. I will test it also. I think the gas is at least 6 to 7 months old or older. Now that i'm calmed down and thinking more clearly, I will go through and re-test all injector/coils CAS, TPS....... If all is well I will drain the tank and refill. That was the first time I've heard one run, man they sound good. kind of like a porsch. Thanks Marty1mc.

[robomatic12]

Clean the coolant temp sensor and check for normal values. It may be thinking the engine is cold and choking it with too much fuel. Just something to try?

[73EB]

Ok, so i found a bad injector and the MAF was not as high volts as it was suppose to be. no go. Drained the gas tank this morning and put new premium in. Now it runs smototh but the its only running on the drivers side three cyl's. ????????

[robomatic12]

Wiggle the PTU connectors with the engine running if you have a recall subharness, try it anyways. Sounds like you may have bumped some connectors. The connectors have a habit of loosing contact when you are moving stuff around in the engine bay.

[73EB]

OK, I'll give it a try. is the subharness your talking about the part that adds a mess of wires and two more connector than needed?

[73EB]

alrighty then, I check and recleaned the PTU connections, tried my other PTU. same thing. Now with that said I was thinking the pass side cyl's wern't working beacuse I can remove any or all coil connectors on the pass side with no change in the way it runs. I thought this would mean its not getting spark or fuel. But I pulled out a coil and spark plug and it was wet with fuel and it sparks when I pulled the CAS and turn it with the plug grounded. I'm just lost. any help is greatly appreciated.
Jeff

[73EB]

so I found part of my problem and may need some guidance. I did another comp test. The pass side read all zeros. Driver's side was normal. So I figured I have some valves stuck or something. So I pulled the intake manifold and t-belt off, then I pulled the cam pulleys. The Pass side intake cam sheared off the key. I have not heard and knocking pings or other bad noises while running the engine. Should I go ahead and pull the head or replace the cam/key and rotate it watching the valves to see whats happening. I know if vavles are stuck because their bent it will have to come off. I don't have a lot of funds to rebult the heads.

Are both driver's and pass side cams the same? I have a driver's spare.

[es.biggs]

Yeah intake cams are the same for all Z's (with exception for the auto TTs)

That's crazy what happened to your cam...if I were you man I would just put that other cam on, slap the timing belt back on and compression test it again. Pulling the heads is a lot of work and a lot of money. If you can avoid it, it would be easier.