New to the "Z" world...

[4th_Gen_SE]

Hey everybody, my name is Chris and i'm about to buy my first, and probably only Z car and thought it would be appropriate to join a suitable forum. If you're on My4thgen.org, Maxima.org, or TCCA.org then you might recognize the username. Yups it's me... Anyway, i'm looking to meet some people and have a good time and learn some tips and tricks so yeah, thanks for having me and hope to hear from you all soon...

[Ziggy1621]

Welcome to Nico... And put up pics of the Z when you get her!

A good read while you wait... everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-z32-t508377.html

[mrmoose]

WELCOME!

[4th_Gen_SE]

I've got a pic of the back somewhere, but yeah this is it. The guy in the red isn't me he's the seller btw...

[4th_Gen_SE]

Oh well, i'll post the rest tomorrow. The short story is: It's an N/A, 5spd, slick top that's costing me $2000 exactly. Problem the oil pump has gone out. I think that its the oil pump because when I test drove it for a bit the oil pressure gauge never got relatively close to even 10psi at idle, or hard throttle. Also after the engine warmed up grayish smoke started pouring from under the engine bay. No funny colored, milky, or thin oil. It was full of coolant, didn't run hot, no CELs, idles and drives great (albeit very course). So i'm gonna change the oil pan and pump, flush the engine with that gallon of Z cleaner (I forget the name) and do the routine stuff, Timing belt, plugs, packs as needed...Sound anything else I should check for?

[4th_Gen_SE]

HA! Found it!

[DCaff300ZX]

It is highly possible that the oil pump is fine, as the oil sending unit is notorious for faulty operation. Check that first as it's an easier replacement and far cheaper than oil pump/oil pan.
No help with the grey smoke though, sorry...but welcome, and Good Luck with your latest project!

[4th_Gen_SE]

Thanks, i'll be sure to look into that.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Welcome to NICO!

Bluish/Gray smoke is oil.

White is coolant and will have a interesting smell to it.

The smoke is likely coming from a valve cover leak.

Also note oil pumps on our cars rarely go bad. It proably has either a faulty sensor as Dcaff said or a damaged pickuptube/oilpan.

[Ziggy1621]

The smoke is likely coming from a valve cover leak.

Oh darn! Guess he will have to do a TT swap!

[4th_Gen_SE]

Yeah, i've done research out the a$$ on this issue and it's got me a bit nervous, but this is my boyhood dream car T-Top, Twin Turbo or not, so i'm going for it. I know that the car has had a new engine put in it and I know that there is a bad habit of resting these engines on the oil pan which flattens a section that should be rounded which can clog the pick-up screen. I believe i'm right in saying that the Oil Pressure Sending Unit won't stop oil from being pumped throughout the engine, I hope that's right anyway? Oh well, you guys are awesome, I really appreciate the help, especially since this turned into a maintenance discussion, but after all of this has been said, I have what I hope is one final question.

Is it possible that the smoke is coming from the oil pump because there is no oil going through it at all when the engine warms up? Which would translate to my coarse idle/drive and 0psi oil pressure at Cold-Normal engine temp? Which only leaves the blocked pick-up tube right?

[4th_Gen_SE]

The smoke is likely coming from a valve cover leak.

Oh darn! Guess he will have to do a TT swap!

That'll come in January if this is a bust

[H1tman]

Welcome! 96' slick top..nice.

What's the mileage on it? It's common for the oil pressure sensor to die.

Check compression, check timing, set TPS to spec, change oil, do 120k, check for vacuum leaks, spark plugs (NGK pfr6b-11 are highly recommended) and adjust your idle. If it still sucks..TT for you.

[DCaff300ZX]

Welcome! 96' slick top..nice.

What's the mileage on it? It's common for the oil pressure sensor to die.

Check compression, check timing, set TPS to spec, change oil, do 120k, check for vacuum leaks, spark plugs (NGK pfr6b-11 are highly recommended) and adjust your idle. If it still sucks..TT for you.

^This

[BigTDogg (MA)]

It is highly possible that the oil pump is fine, as the oil sending unit is notorious for faulty operation. Check that first as it's an easier replacement and far cheaper than oil pump/oil pan.
No help with the grey smoke though, sorry...but welcome, and Good Luck with your latest project!

This

and

[Ziggy1621]

Ok dude.. rainbow welcome? You are in a good mood...

[300ZXttZMAN]

I have what I hope is one final question.

Is it possible that the smoke is coming from the oil pump because there is no oil going through it at all when the engine warms up? Which would translate to my coarse idle/drive and 0psi oil pressure at Cold-Normal engine temp? Which only leaves the blocked pick-up tube right?

It is highly possible that the oil pump is fine, as the oil sending unit is notorious for faulty operation. Check that first as it's an easier replacement and far cheaper than oil pump/oil pan.

This