VG30 in sandrail, won't start. please help

Nissan 300ZX technical discussion forum: Maintenance, performance, installations, modifications, how-to's and troubleshooting.
agent4573
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:10 pm

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So I'm using the N/A VG30 in a sandrail and have it to the point where it will crank, but I can't get it to fire up. So far here's what I've done:

Removed EGT, PRVR, AAC, AIV and FICD solenoids.
Removed upper plenum and deleted the water and vacuum lines, capped all lines.
Removed PCV valves and plugged intake.
Put blockoff plate on back of intake, drives side where something square bolted to it.
Removed and blocked EGR ports on bottom of intake.
Removed fuel computer. Running a walbro 255lph pump that comes on with the ignition switch at 40psi.


Running custom exhaust (its about 2 feet of pipe from head to muffler)
Running custom intake. Dual K&N conical filters with dual MAFS, Selin adapter in "add" mode, dual 3" intake piping for about a foot and into the throttle bodies.
New timing belt.

I've wired up a "switchboard" to temporarily get the thing running. When I first started I had a code for CAS and ignition circuit. Cleaned the connectors on both and the codes went away.
Just to double check I ohmed out the new style PTU and it checked out ok. Did a continuity check on the sub-harness and it ohm'd out okay as well.
Grounded the plugs on the intake and there is spark, however it appears orange and not blue like I expected.
Put an LED in the injector harnesses and it flashes as I crank, so the injectors are getting the signal to fire. Double checked by turning the CAS by hand and I can hear the injectors clicking.
The fuel temp sensor is not being used right now, but I put a resistor in there to simulate midrange voltage.
Pin 16 on the ECU has a 10k pull-up resistor in place to bring the wire to 1 volt like the service manual says it should be at. I'm not using this wire to activate the ignition and ECCS relays so its just kind of sitting there.
Shot all the wires from the coils to the ECU and they all OHM out at 640 Ohms.
Shot all the wires from the injectors to the ECU and they OHM out to like 2 ohms.
All injectors ohm out to 12 ohms (old style injectors)
Pulled the oil pan, cleaned it out, installed new gaskets, filled with new oil, pulled a vacuum on the old filter to "prime" the pump and cranked until I got oil pressure. Replaced oil filter with new unit.
Checked all the ground pins on the ECU and they ground out correctly.
Checked all the +12 pins on the ECU and they checked good.
Brand new Bosch battery, fully charged.
Pin 43 (start signal) is wired directly to the starter solenoid so it goes to +12 when you hit the starter.
Pin 45 (ingition) is wired into a +12 source that goes hot with the ignition switch.
Right now there are 4 vents open on the engine, two on the back right corner that should be running to the PCV valves, and two up front, one coming out of each valve cover. that go below the throttle bodies. All 4 are just open to the air right now.

So now that you know everything about the motor, I don't think its getting fuel. I don't smell anything like fuel coming out the exhaust and the plugs are dry as a bone. If all 6 injectors ohm out correctly, is it possible that they're all still clogged or not working right? I am planning on upgrading next year to new style injectors, but I just want to get it running before I dump more into it. I'll do a compression check tomorrow, but I think its a fuel thing at this point. Does anyone have any ideas on what to try next? This is frustrating me to no end, so any ideas would be great.

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agent4573
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:10 pm

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Also, ECU only throws code 55 now.

ThisIsSparTTa
Posts: 738
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:02 pm
Car: 91 300ZX TT 2+0

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What did you do to compensate for deleting part of the idle system?

http://z32.wikispaces.com/Idle+Control

agent4573
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:10 pm

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At this point, absolutely nothing. There's a throttle screw on the passenger side throttle body that I turned a few turns to open the butterflies a bit, but thats about it. Problem is, the engine won't fire at IDLE, it won't fire at mid throttle, it won't fire at WOT. I'm not too concerned about getting it to idle properly because I can't get it to start period. It doesn't even try to fire up, it just cranks and doesn't even try.

Getting rid of all those extra air flow sources should make it run extremely rich at IDLE, but like I said, the plugs are bone dry and the exhaust doesn't smell like gas at all.

Re037
Posts: 333
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:20 pm
Car: 1992 300zx 2+2 NA

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double check the fuel pump / fuel pump controller imo. it runs for a few seconds when key is just on ign but not start. attaching a fuel pressure gauge might be a good idea too

agent4573
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:10 pm

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As I said, there is no fuel computer anymore. The fuel pump is wired to come on with the ignition. It runs fine and I can see the fuel circulating in the tank. Pressure is set to 40psi right now.

I'm going to pull the plenum tonight and remove the injectors. I'll hook up fuel someway and just hardwire them to see if they're flowing or completely clogged.

twinturbozxtacy
Posts: 203
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 4:13 pm
Car: 91 tt

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have you tried starter fluid? if youre getting spark its most likely not the cas as you would get nothing if the cas was bad. are all 6 firing? what type of ffpr are you running? stock? maybe look into that. take off the cas and spin it by hand, you should be able to hear the injectors fire as they are pretty loud. if you hear nothing thats most likely your culprit. id try the starter fluid first to make sure it will run, easy way to eliminate the ignition system and then all you have left is the fuel system.

agent4573
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:10 pm

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Got it running. Took the injectors out and only 1 of them opened when I put 12 volts to it. Put some seafoam and gumout on the others and let them sit, then put 12 volts to them for about a minute and then pulsed em and eventually they all started working again. I think they were just gummed out in the closed position and needed some umphh to open. Put it all back together and it fired up. Sounds like at least one of the timing belt pulleys has a shot bearing, but at least it runs. Thats a huge milestone for the build, now I can concentrate on putting the rear suspension in and I'll have a running, moving sandrail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su8MhCgQ ... e=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCaFPXoa ... e=youtu.be

twinturbozxtacy
Posts: 203
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 4:13 pm
Car: 91 tt

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congrats!!! i got all three timing belt pulleys in interested, new. pm me.

ThisIsSparTTa
Posts: 738
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:02 pm
Car: 91 300ZX TT 2+0

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Make sure you're using New Style fuel injectors, or they may simply be on their way out:

http://z32.wikispaces.com/Fuel+Injector

agent4573
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:10 pm

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Its the old style right now. Once I get it fully built, I'm only planning on putting a few hours on it to work out the kinks with the build and then I'm going to start gathering parts to put twin turbos on there. Part of that upgrade will include the fuel rail conversion kit and new style higher cc injectors. So these only have to last until next spring.


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