sticky throttle bodie(s)

[3-Z-CARS]

Hi, I'm new to this site and own a 1978 280Z, 1987 300ZX and a 1990 300ZX. Only 1 of the 3 is road worthy right now and it has a few issues. My main concern, other than the lifter noise and a gas smell at idle is the the throttle sticks when I first go to push down the pedal. Once it is broke loose it's o.k., sorta. I tried cleaning the throttle bodies, intake side and the butterfly and that seemed to make it move smoother but still has the initial sticking. Anybody got a fix for this?

[Nismovs]

Welcome to Nico. Would you mind telling us which vehicle you're talking about?

[Razi]

Does it stick closed? Or get stuck open?

If it gets stuck closed, it could be that the small set screw isn't adjusted properly. Usually these are there to stop the valve from getting jammed onto the throttle body.

Here's an example on the 240sx, a small stud with a tiny nut for adjustment. One on the bottom left and top.

[3-Z-CARS]

Oh, I'm sorry, it's the 1990.

[Ace2cool]

In that case, your driver side (i think?) PCV valve is most likely contacting the throttle linkage. They can back out a bit after a while and will hit the linkage. Give it a good once-over, and if that's not it, then it might be a bad throttle cable. Also, I'm moving this to the Z32 technical section.

[DankZX]

In that case, your driver side (i think?) PCV valve is most likely contacting the throttle linkage. They can back out a bit after a while and will hit the linkage. Give it a good once-over, and if that's not it, then it might be a bad throttle cable. Also, I'm moving this to the Z32 technical section.

Check this ^ first. Usually a zip tie is all that is needed to keep the PCV piping out of the way.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Also spraying those springs by the throttle bodies with some WD-40 should make it more smooth.

[3-Z-CARS]

Thanks for the info. I got to looking around and there is this small threaded stud with a locking nut on the bottom side. It looks like something you can adjust so I loosened the nut, turned the threaded stud, clockwise a turn or so and then tightened the nut on the bottom side and now the throttle butterfly, for lack of a better name, is not sticking. I believe that this also changed/increased my idle rpm, so I'm going to find out what the idle rpm is supposed to be and then maybe play with it a little more. I sprayed the springs with some lubricant called Tr- Flow, something I've used on my nitro R/C helis, and everything is a lot smoother. I didn't see any PVC valve in the way.
Thanks again for the info! :-)

[t.mcginley.jr]

Sounds like you got it solved! As for the idle, it should be right around 750 rpm when warm.

[3-Z-CARS]

Thanks for the info on the idle speed. Mines a little high so I'm probably going to tweak on that adjustment screw I found.

[Ace2cool]

Follow this write up to adjust the RPM level at idle.