Sounds Like A Blender

[ZX-Smoov]

Help!!
My Z32 shut down while driving on the highway at around 45-50 mph and will not start back up. When I turn the key the car sounds like a blender and there is a "puffy" popping sound from under the vehicle, but it won't catch to turn over. The engine had been feeling extremely hot to the touch lately but the temp gauge never went above the middle mark.
She has been towed home and still does not turn over days later. Electrical wiring appears in place. When cranking the ignition, the visible belts and engine fan are turning.
When a car is started, the engine's sound has a rhythmic stutter just before turning over. I don't get that sound; I only get the sound that would remind you of a blender.
Side note:
Several days prior, I hit a very deep pothole and it sounded and felt as if the car had been dropped from about 5-feet off the ground.
I've pulled the front bumper off and removed the radiator. I noticed that the radiator fan had jammed to the point that the blade was off center and the three screws in the back were shoved underneath the blade's "cap". The center of the blade no longer lines up with the center point of the fan motor's spindle. The fan motor does not easily turn as if bearings are out of whack or perhaps the fan motor has seized.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to what may be preventing the engine from turning over?

[ThisIsSparTTa]

Have you tested your fuel pressure and/or that the fuel pump is running at all?

[ZX-Smoov]

Hey Sparta!!
I have not checked it. If I recall, the fuel pump is located in the rear passenger side near the speaker housing correct? A previous owner worked on it because the rubber housing has been cut open for access. I dont know the proceedure for checking it. There is a half tank of gas and no smell of such, so checking pressure would be a step to take.
I will also check the fuel relay near the fuse panel to make sure it didn't come apart.
It doesn't have that just-run-out-of-gas sound.
I will research testing the fuel pressure and get back with results.
Thanks!!

[punkncat]

If you are seeing the belts turn the starter is, at least, turning the crank.

When the car quit running was there any associated noise, loss of power beforehand, etc?

[budget300zx]

Also check for spark, pull a coil. plug it in and see if it arcs to a ground while you have someone try to start it.

[ZX-Smoov]

If you are seeing the belts turn the starter is, at least, turning the crank.

When the car quit running was there any associated noise, loss of power beforehand, etc?

There was no associated noise. It was peaceful. There was a slight de-acceleration and I only noticed when I pressed the gas pedal and got no response. I coasted to the side of the highway to a rolling stop.

[nissanfreak12]

Hey Sparta!!
I have not checked it. If I recall, the fuel pump is located in the rear passenger side near the speaker housing correct? A previous owner worked on it because the rubber housing has been cut open for access. I dont know the proceedure for checking it. There is a half tank of gas and no smell of such, so checking pressure would be a step to take.
I will also check the fuel relay near the fuse panel to make sure it didn't come apart.
It doesn't have that just-run-out-of-gas sound.
I will research testing the fuel pressure and get back with results.
Thanks!!

Fuel pump is located in the tank. You can access a 2+2 in the spare tire area. 2+0 under that storage between the seats and the "trunk" area.

The area you you described sounds like the ABS pump.

[ZX-Smoov]

Nissanfreak12,
Thanks for clarifying! I will see if there's more in the FSM. This is my first time doing anything with the gas tank. Glad I quit smoking!

[ZX-Smoov]

I'm hearing what I believe to be the fuel pump kicking in when I turn the key on before trying to start the engine. I also get a clicking in the front which I suspect is the relay engaging. I looked for a fuel pressure valve to connect a gauge, but didn't see anything under the hood nor a reference in the FSM. Do I connect using clamps after the fuel filter and before the line leading to the fuel regulator?

[ZX-Smoov]

I pulled the hose from the throttle body on the driver's side, manually opened the throttle and sprayed Throttle-Body Cleaner inside. I got the same response from before: an electrical whirring or whizzing sound but no chugging you'd expect before an engine turns over. Could there be any chance the battery is doing its job but the starter is not?
I'm baffled!!

[ThisIsSparTTa]

I would say not the starter since you said the engine is turning and the belts are moving, right? I mean maybe its not giving it enough torque or speed, but seems less likely.

[ZX-Smoov]

It is not the starter.I pulled the starter and there are grind marks on the flywheel teeth. The factory corner of the tooth right where the starter is positioned has been rounded back at the edge of the flywheel tooth. I replaced the starter and it is eating away at the flywheel as well. I used a flathead screwdriver to turn the flywheel by wedging the screwdriver against the base of the bell housing and prying upward on the flywheel. it rotates and the fan spins and the timing belt mark has moved to a new position. I've read about the PTU being a starting issue. How do you check the PTU? By the way I hear the fuel pump and there are no codes on ECUTalk. Any suggestions?

[RubyRed300ZX]

I'm late to the party. I can't tell from reading your post if indeed the "belts are turning" while you are trying to start the car. I'm assuming they are not from the noises you describe. The sounds you are describing would suggest that the starter is rotating, but the solenoid has not engaged the starter gear to the flywheel. Hence, the worn teeth on the ring gear of the flywheel. You said that you replaced the starter. Did you buy a new starter or a re-manufactured one? I have purchased three re-manufactured starters over years which were bad (solenoids not replaced on them or the gap between the relay to the starter drive not correctly set). Even "bench-tested" them on the floor before installing them and they seemed to be fine; however, they failed when installed on the car. I quit wasting my time on purchasing re-manufactured parts 10 years ago or so. If you bought a re-manufactured starter, I'd return it. Get a new starter and see if that solves your problem.

[RubyRed300ZX]

Sorry, just now re-read your last post. If the starter is grinding away at the ring-gear on the flywheel, then definitely the "new" starter is not pushing the starter gear out far enough before engaging the electric drive motor on the starter ("gap" for the "relay"). I'd return the starter and get a NEW one.

[ZX-Smoov]

RubyRed, thanks for asking. It is a re-man starter, but the sound and experience I'm getting is the same as when I stalled on the highway long before the starter switch. Above is a link to the pic of my flywheel through the starter bay. Notice the V-shaped separation to the right? this doesn't look right to me and I did hit a bad pothole about 2 days before my car shut down on me. From the shiny grind marks on a few teeth of the flywheel, it seems like the starter isn't doing its job, but the fan turns when I try to start the engine. The only sound is the starter. Again, the engine does NOT chug as if out gas. The fuel pump DOES engage and there is fuel pressure.

I used a screwdriver to wedge at the base of the starter bay and turn the flywheel in an upward direction. It did not take much effort and after pulling back the tming belt covers, I could see that the belt had moved.

Your thoughts guys?

Also, please make a master thread link on how to upload pics. I can't find anything in the FAQs.
Thanks!!

[ZX-Smoov]

RubyRed,
Thanks for asking. It is a re-man starter, but the sound and experience I'm getting is the same as when I stalled on the highway long before the starter switch. Above is a link to the pic of my flywheel through the starter bay. Notice the V-shaped separation to the right? this doesn't look right to me and I did hit a bad pothole about 2 days before my car shut down on me. From the shiny grind marks on a few teeth of the flywheel, it seems like the starter isn't doing its job, but the fan turns when I try to start the engine. The only sound is the starter. Again, the engine does NOT chug as if out gas. The fuel pump DOES engage and there is fuel pressure.

I used a screwdriver to wedge at the base of the starter bay and turn the flywheel in an upward direction. It did not take much effort and after pulling back the tming belt covers, I could see that the belt had moved.

Your thoughts guys?

Also, please make a master thread link on how to upload pics. I can't find anything in the FAQs.
Thanks!!

[ZX-Smoov]

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[ZL8NING]

Not to say you are not on the right track, but have you checked the battery? You should have about 14V.

Easier yet, if there is another car at the house, try using its battery in your car to see if it will start. Won't take but a few minutes.

[ThisIsSparTTa]

It sounds like your starter is doing its job, and the fuel pump is doing its job. It would seem its time to focus on electrical relating to coil packs and injectors.

[ZX-Smoov]

Battery replaced (new) along with starter
Plugs replaced with NGKs last fall based on many posts on this forum
Six injectors replaced last winter
Fuel filter replaced last winter

A few days prior to my Z shutting down, I hit a bad pothole.
I found that the engine seemed to feel hotter to the touch than before.
I had compression issues and used Rislone compression treatment in the cranck case.
It offered more response and acceleration after the treatment.

After my Z shut down, I pulled the front bumper and access panel and noticed that the electric fan up front had warped.
The plastic blade unit had wedged and the screws holding the blade unit had melted past their insertion holes.
The motor only turned less than a quarter distance in either direction before getting stuck.
The fan assembly was replaced.

I read on NICO that a bad temp sensor can prevent these cars from starting, but there's no description of what sound the engine makes (or doesn't make) with this symptom.

I also read on a forum that starter grind can be caused by a voltage drop to the terminal on the starter solenoid and that the wire from the ignition switch to the neutral safety switch can be a cause.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I posted a pic of the "V" shaped separation near the starter housing and wanted some feedback.
Can everyone see the pic?
Any thoughts?
Thanks.

[ZX-Smoov]

For clarification, I am referring to the fan motor turning only a quarter of the distance before getting stuck. I can only assume this had some responsibility for the engine feeling hotter than usual. Through all of this, I never had an engine light come on, nor did the temp gauge needle ever rise above the mid-point.

[RubyRed300ZX]

You have two problems. Only one of which is related to the pothole. You hit hard, you bent something which has caused the electric fan to shift and the fan blades became stuck. Hence the fan does not rotate. This is problem number one.

Problem number two is the non-starting issue. Not related to a pothole. For everyone else, I'll clarify his postings. With a screw driver through the bellhousing opening, the engine turns freely. The only problem he has is when he attempts to start the car, he hears a grinding noise and the engine does not turn over. This is because the starter gear (on his re-manufactured "new" starter) is rotating (energized) prior to the starter gear being fully extended by the solenoid to completely mesh with the ring gear on the flywheel; hence, it sounds like a blender and the marks on the flywheel ring gear which we can all see in the picture he posted.

Therefore to solve your problems, replace or repair the electric radiator, by either repositioning the electric radiator and securing it properly in the event it wasn't secured properly, or hammer out whatever got bent that moved the electric radiator.

Then, remove the re-manufactured starter, take it back to wherever you bought it, drop it on the guy's foot, and tell them you want a NEW starter (NOT a re-manufactured one), and install it and make sure the bolt and nut for mounting the starter are properly torqued to spec.

[ZX-Smoov]

RubyRed,
Thank you for reframing my post in proper terminology. The clarification should be a better help to others viewing this post.
So ya think I should change out the re-manufactured starter?
I'm kidding. I get the message and will follow your lead on this. I will opt not to drop the old starter on the guy's foot since I made the choice to go the El-Cheapo route.

I'll pick up a torque wrench as well.

The fan has been replaced already.
Keep me in your prayers-
I'm ready to get her back on the road.
Here in Metro Detroit, we have The Woodward Dream Cruise coming up in a few short weeks.
The Z must represent!!

I'll keep you all posted.
Thanks again!!

[ZX-Smoov]

Removed the Re-man starter and turned the flexplate (this is an AT trans) and noticed that the teeth were oily, I then observed a slow drip from the bottom of th bellhousing.Should the inner bellhousing be wet, let alone dripping? I inserted a coathanger down into the opening of the bellhousing when I removed it there was fluid on the end.
I say all this because I've not seen anything to indicate that flexplates or bellhousings should be greased or contain oil.
In fact, my understanding is that flexplates should be wiped clean and dry (also removing the factory coating gel) before installing it. What problem(s) am I looking at here?

I have not checked compression since the engine shut down.
I mention this only because I fear I may have a blown engine.

I did get spark (only tested one and two) when tested and
I can hear the fuel pump engage.
Hope you can shed light.

[ZX-Smoov]

Hi Everyone!!
So the blender sound was the starter spinning against a non-responsive engine.
After crying like a little witch, I had my Z towed to a mechanic. He confirmed the the engine was blown!

I pulled the battery and waited out the winter tundra.
As the snow disappeared, I begin seeing Z32s out on the road. I'm crying again. One day,I see a white Z and pull up and compliment the driver and share my sob story. He says, "blown engine? Just check out the junk yards."
"Ya think?" I replied.
"Sure they're everywhere!"
So after calling and learning a rebuild would cost me around 5k from bell to bang, I began searching local salvage yards.

Finally, I come across Danny's Auto. They've got a1990 NA in their yard. I call. The engine is still in the car...
April 11, 2015
I buy the engine. The car had damage to the driver's side front fender. The fascia is destroyed and headlight is cracked, but no visible damage to the VGE. I request the side mirrors, power antenna and tried to hustle the third brake light unit but they wouldn't separate it from the rear hatch.
The mechanic who dropped my doner engine asked me if I had ever replaced an engine.
"No, this is my first one." I replied.
"What makes you think you can do it?"
"No one told me that I can't."

A week later they charge a mere 20 bucks to deliver the engine to my house!

After many visits to this forum, watching videos by those who have come before me, and reading, reading, reading...

July 2, 2015
The new engine with a reported 89k miles is installed.
Injector and coil pack wiring is married to the original harness.
Headers and gaskets installed.
Engine dropped into its place.
Turned the key and it STARTS IMMEDIATELY!!!

This forum is one of the few places where I can say,
"You have every idea how I feel right about now!!"

Ziggy and Spartaa and everyone else who so faithfully contributes to this valued forum, please receive my thanks and gratitude for your wisdom and assistance to me and so many others!

I have a few minor items to button up, and I will keep you posted. This lengthy post is to encourage anyone who is where I was one year ago, scratching their head our crying like a witch with little hope.
You Can Do it!!

[frapjap]

Congrats man! That feeling of accomplishment is one of the best!

Have you dismantled the old engine to see what failed yet? Start taking that bad boy apart and take some pics of the damage!!

[NolimitZ32]

Great to hear man. Its a good feeling resurrecting them from the dead. Makes you appreciate it much more too.

[RubyRed300ZX]

Congratulations!

Best part that I read here was ....

The mechanic who dropped my doner engine asked me if I had ever replaced an engine.
"No, this is my first one." I replied.
"What makes you think you can do it?"
"No one told me that I can't."

Way to go!