Z31 Nissan won't start

[Kym rhodes]

Hello
I am having problems with my 1985 300zx turbo
Me and my dad bought this car with a unkonwn history
We had it running 3 times yesterday
First time 1: it blew blue smoke
Second time 2: it blew allot of black smoke
Third time 3: it ran like a charm no problems at all!
Now the car doesn't start

We can get it to start with aero start (but if we stop spaying it stops)

If I turn the key it just turns over and nothing else
Please help!!

[Ken@PTUNING]

The fact you need starter fluid to even make it start indicates you have a fueling issue. Verify the fuel pump is on. You should at least hear it prime. Check the fuel pressure as well.

Now, what changed from the third time you had it running to now? Has this car been run in a while? Did the car sit for an extended period? If it sat, did it do so with a low fuel tank?

[Kym rhodes]

We bought the car with no fuel, we think it may have been sitting there for over 12 mounths
It has a lot of rust in the radiator, it doesn't go onto boost (tops at 0 psi), it also has a lot of dried oil in the intake for some reason (blown turbo Mabye)
Also do you know the where the fuel filter and fuel pump is located?
Thanks for the fast response!!

[Kym rhodes]

(And we can hear the fuel pump prime!)

[Ken@PTUNING]

Verify fuel pressure in that case. It seems more prevalent with older Nissans but the fuel tanks rust and if left sitting can create debris. The fuel pump may pick that up. The pump is located in the tank and the filter is on the PS shock tower in the engine bay.

Check the turbo for shaftplay. Make sure it spins freely. If it's not boosting, check for possible boost leaks.

For the cooling system, I'd use a quality flush to clean it out once you do get it running again.

[Kym rhodes]

Thanks for reply
Is there a easy way to remove the turbo?
Being at the bottom of the car it is a bit tricky?
Also do you possibilities to why there is dried oil in the intake?

[Ken@PTUNING]

You don't need to remove the turbo to check for shaft play. Simply remove the compressor inlet tube and the compressor will be right there.

Dried oil could be from excessive blow by from the rings pressurizing the crankcase and throwing oil into the intake tract or blown turbocharger seals.

[Kym rhodes]

We have located the fuel filter, it's on the DS tower! We're in Australia!!!

[Ken@PTUNING]

lol for a minute there I was thinking "I didn't think the fuel filter would be on the left side of the car in Australia..." Yeah, that would the DS over there! You might want to update you're location.

[Kym rhodes]

Yea I'll update it now!! I'm new to this forum!

[Kym rhodes]

Anyway we bought a 1985 Australian delivered 300zx turbo, the dude we bought it off said it run perfectly.....it's far from running... The rear right hand window is smashed, air conditior is removed for some reason, radio is gorn, turbo doesn't go onto boost and some over minor stuff. Parts in Australia are a b**** to get for z31. So it is kinda hard to fix

[Kym rhodes]

We have fixed the fuel filter and it is getting plenty of fuel pressure it's still not running?

[Ken@PTUNING]

What's the fuel pressure at while cranking?

Also, can you verify the injectors are firing?

[Kym rhodes]

Spark plugs are not firing

[Kym rhodes]

Spark plugs are not firing

[Kym rhodes]

Note* the plugs are black and dry

[Ken@PTUNING]

Oh now this is fun. Sounds like your problems vary and are intermittent. Gotta love those! It's interesting only in that in your first post you list 3 times that the car ran (or tried to) which would indicate good spark. Even your comment about it running with starter fluid indicates good spark. Check the wiring around the distributor/CAS, ignition coil, and the ignitor for any breaks in the wiring. Look for any visible cuts, fraying wiring, etc. Also, check to see if the ECU is throwing any trouble codes.

While you've got the plugs out, if they're blacked out completely (no more white center), they're fouled and will generally have a hard time creating a spark. Usually this is from a spark plug that is too cold or too much fuel. Try and defoul them while you've got them out. A gentle brushing should do it or you can burn it off with a butane torch. As it gets closer to red hot, you'll notice the black carbon will burn off.

[Kym rhodes]

As I type we are cleaning off The plugs, how do we check the ECU for error codes?

[Ken@PTUNING]

http://www.nissan forums.com/z31-300zx-t/84209-ecu-how-read-diagnose-z31-codes.html

*Sorry, had to put a space in the link. Seems to be a joke that "www.nissan forums.com" turns into "that dead forum" whenever I just copy/paste.

[Kym rhodes]

The link you sent is just blank?

[Kym rhodes]

Ok haha thanks I'll have a read

[Kym rhodes]

ECU location? (Under passenger side glove box?)

[Ken@PTUNING]

It should be in the left side kick panel over there.

[Kym rhodes]

Yep found it thanks!

[Kym rhodes]

I know this is a bit of a stupid question, but how do I get the code numbers?

[Kym rhodes]

It seems to be showing a code 11 , it only shows red and green no flashing

[Ken@PTUNING]

Check around the CAS/distributor. Make sure the wiring is intact. A quick test you can do also to mark the distributor with a sharpie, then turn the CAS (like you're trying to set the timing) with the key on. As to do, you should hear the fuel pump kick on and the injectors click. The sharpie mark is so you don't need to retime the motor.

[evildky]

Code 11 is CAS as alluded to by ken. Here is a link to troubleshooting the cas (distributor) http://www.xenonzcar.com/z31/SENSORS/cas.html. The cas triggers both the injectors and the ignition so this is likely the problem. If you cant find the proper Z31 distributor in australia it will interchange with just about every single cam Vg powered car or truck, although you might have to swap the cap as well.

[Kym rhodes]

Hello!
Me and my dad got the car running! (No smoke)
But it sounds like it is only running on 5 cylinders (could just be the exhaust note)
And still doesn't go onto boost

[Kym rhodes]

By the way do you have a Facebook page or somthing I can send you photos/videos of the car?