Forums/Z31P/z31-repairs-forums engine-mechanical/An Introduction of sorts…
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DentArthurDent: (2009-12-12 09:13:33)
As it is my first post, I didn't want it to seem like I only registered for help, which case I love the Z31s and the beauty and performance they bear. My name is Jonathan and I've wanted one of these "poor man's Vettes" since I was very young. I bought this one for myself back in 2007, and hadn't looked back since. Had all kinds of restoration work done with her mechanically, just still trying to work out the gremlins before I start cosmetically. I am sad to say, I've only recently discovered these forums (long time lurker at Z31.com, but never got registered over there…), but perhaps I could find my home here.
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This is my baby. 1985 NA, automatic. My only regrets… She's in wonderful shape though; no rust or dings. Although my Fairlady does deserve a fresh coat of white paint.
To get to my reasons for posting, I get crappy gas mileage (see 8-10 mpg), and I don't really push it. I have changed the O2 sensor, as well as the filter, and flushed out my tank, to no avail. I've picked up on some info over the past few months of reading older forum posts; I believe some where I've got a vacuum leak/crack/off?
Another trouble I have with my Z is the "factory boost gauge", as it is constantly full. Could this be a timing issue?
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I definitely look forward to getting to know you guys, and appreciate your time.
Careless: (2009-12-12 10:55:53)
Hi.
Welcome.
Nice car!
The "boost gauge" is not really a boost gauge. It's a torque meter that's relative to engine vacuum, and it's called the "boost sensor" located near your driver side strut tower near the ignition coil. Check to see that the vacuum line isn't blocked… perhaps a good time to replace all the vac lines anyway. And then check the pins for corrosion or cross-examine using the FSM.
The boost gauge itself is the one off to the right in one of the pods.
Blown-N-Boosted: (2009-12-12 14:05:24)
I believe he has an NA.
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-12 15:03:10)
Thank you for the warm welcome. Some more on the car, originally it was an "old lady" car, and then she gave it to her granddaughter, who raced it hard. So it went from little use to heavy use and and the engine was in pretty rough shape.
I've done everything from transmission (hindsight, with I had converted it), to heater core, to radiator, etc… And never really saw a perk in gas.
I'm going to take the recommendation and replace the hoses, so thank you both for the welcome and the advice. Gonna start reading the Haynes right now and see where I stand.
My only wish is that I could find a halfway decent (and honest) mechanic. The last one I went to was a total rip; my father had his truck's tranny rebuilt and all they did was tighten the throwout bearing and charged him $2200. Went back the next week and his shop was closed.
vagabond: (2009-12-12 16:55:24)
Looks clean. Welcome friend.
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-12 17:14:42)
Thanks for the heads up. The only time my car runs rough is when I first start her up; has a funky idle and occasionally cuts off, just jocked it up to cold morning jitters.
I just ran he ECU, and got codes 23 and 31. Googling around, I've found at least two cases of the same two codes popping up simultaneously. I will keep researching, but I wanted to update with that and this:
While under the dash, I heard a noise. It was faint, but kind of a scathing noise. Might have to turn your speakers up to hear it. Will rerecord it later…
[http://[video=youtube_share;JCo6ZE1rct4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCo6ZE1rct4[/video]] [archived image: yt_logo_rgb_light.png]]
Any thoughts or comments? Could this be my vacuum leak?
Guest: (2009-12-12 17:24:41)
My na got 28 mpg. My turbo running rich and leaking fuel, constantly boosting got 16-18 mpg.
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-12 17:57:59)
300cars, I got a kick out of your sig.
Because this is constantly full, does it mean the Z is running rich? I haven't checked the hoses, I've gotta stay clean for some party the wife is dragging me to later.
inqui-Z-tor: (2009-12-12 18:41:32)
Welcome …
There are 3 (including this one) .. z31 specific forums. Each with a different personality. You mentioned z31.com, the other is 88hybrid.com
A few of us are on all 3 .. some "specialze".
-Strike-: (2009-12-12 18:43:27)
Nice lookin' car [archived image: biggrin.png]
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-12 18:51:32)
- love Thanks for the compliments guys. You don't want to know how much I paid for her. She only had 90k miles when I bought her, and that's all I'm gonna say.
And I've been reading some of the forums on 88hybrid. You guys seemed pretty welcoming to new members so thanks for that.
Once I get her running how I'd like, I'm going to have the seats redone, and then paint her white. As she's not my DD anymore, I can finally give her the attention she rightfully deserves.
Matt89: (2009-12-12 19:00:30)
Any turbo plans?
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-12 19:12:08)
One thing at a time! But yes, I have a friend who's been sitting on an 86 turbo for a while now. Doesn't run, and he wants it off his property, likely pick it up pretty cheap as compared to buying the parts… Other than that, that's all I've got planned lol. If you cannot tell, I'm pretty car illiterate. Writing and PCs are more my thing, but give me a manual or tutorial and a will, and I'll find a way.
2slick85z31: (2009-12-12 20:13:16)
welcome to the forums! clean car (seen it in person from the previous owner). something no ones seemed to touch on yet… how much does it take to fill your tank from empty?
i thought i was getting around the same mileage in my white 85 and then i realized i had a 19 gallon tank but it only took me 10 gallons to fill it up. bad fuel level sending unit. very common failure in these cars.
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-12 21:39:33)
From blinking 1 bar, it costs me roughly $45 to fill it. And I get any where from 160-200 miles out of a tank.
At best, 200 miles / 19 gallons = 10.53 mpg. Note, I do not usually let it drop below a quarter.
Now Price / Kickassery, there's no contest. But poor gas mileage is hard on this unemployed student.
2slick85z31, that's pretty awesome. Do you get over this way often?
Guest: (2009-12-12 21:42:32)
when you go to the station. look at the mileage, fill it up, look at the gallons. divide miles by gallons.
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-12 21:58:15)
My last gas fill up, I got 3.92 gallons. From that, I got 41 miles before it dipped below a quarter.
41 miles / 3.92 gallons = 10.45 mpg
Which is a little less bleak from my original calculations, but not the 28mpg boasted by other NA owners lol.
2slick85z31: (2009-12-12 22:12:49)
my fiance actually lives in St. Pete, and im in the palmetto/bradenton area. i dont get over to tampa too often seeing as i still need a motor for my z, but when i can i do, where abouts are you located in tampa?
2slick85z31: (2009-12-12 22:17:49)
have you checked your injectors? or maybe even your FPR?
if you have an injector stuck open itll use alot of gas, easy way to tell, pop your hood with the car running, and hold your finger to the injector, if you feel it pulsing then its good. if its not then its either dead or stuck.
as for the fpr pop off a vacuum line and if gas pours out of the line then your FPR needs replacing.
also, have you checked allt eh lines under the car? made sure nothings leaking etc?
sprtcrazy17: (2009-12-12 22:22:00)
1. Write down mileage, fill up to full.
2. xxx miles later, fill up again. Write down gallons it took. Write down mileage.
3. Subtract miles to figure total miles traveled.
4. Divide miles traveled by gallons = MPG.
badboyz31: (2009-12-12 22:36:56)
sweet another florida guy! hey man join these sights also
and
http://www.suncoastzcarclub.com/form/
I live in Polk County which is basically 30-40 minutes from Tampa, there are a lot of Z guys from Tampa though to Orlando
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-12 23:48:47)
Still remains to be seen, I get 160-200 to a tank, reguardless of $ amount.
I always reset my trip a for current tank, trip b is for oil change.
Ps, how uncomfortable is a harry potter themed party, outside of halloween?
2slick85z31: (2009-12-13 00:04:59)
lmao wtf. and thanks for the info on the trip b thing, i honestly didnt know that
inqui-Z-tor: (2009-12-13 00:59:31)
OK .. I'll "inquire" ..
DentArthurDent .. a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or Simon Jones fan?? It took me awhile to place that name, I knew I recognized it from somewhere ..
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-13 01:21:28)
The Guide, naturally.
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-13 02:04:42)
Lol, it is. The party was just awkward - as in, it was supposed to have been just a bring a dinner party, which turned into a HP engagement party… Was strange, s'all I'm sayin'.
And the wife makes me do all of he dressing up lol. Of course, she'd say it's the other way around.
Hater :P
DudeZX: (2009-12-13 03:41:03)
Odd. I'm doing a project over The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for school, I log onto Z31 Performance to find that we have a new member by the name of DentArthurDent…
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-13 05:49:23)
Irony, oh irony. Why must you be so cruel?
A small update: After the wife went to bed, with ideas of a faster, more economical Z and images of xmas gifts to be bought, I took her out. Drove the same as usual, and then I got home. I hear a definite trickling. Being that it was pretty dark out, I could only guess that it's coolant.
Anyway, I'm gonna put it up on the racks tomorrow and take a look. Really hoping it's a broken hose under there some where and it's not the pump. Although, this has given me more motivation to redo the timing belt (since I'll likely be in there anyway).
Like someone previously said I should practice. Thanks for everyone's eyes btw. Its been a fun thread so far. [archived image: smile.png]
floridaZ: (2009-12-13 07:57:13)
I'd put my monies on the fuel level sending unit throwing you off. It's been forever and a day and a half and a week beyond that since I drove my Z last, but my gauge read empty after it sucked up 10-12 gallons. Idiot light appeared to be accurate, came on about 2 gallons. So if you are hovering over the E and your idiot light isn't on…
Hope that's it, the sending unit is like $140, other possible causes cost more.
BTW, how long have you had that Z? If it used to have a chrome tip I've seen it in person before.
DentArthurDent: (2009-12-13 17:06:13)
I bought it back in 2007. And it did. I dropped that soup can like a hot potato.
And thanks for the advice. I'm just getting up and around to getting to work. Wish me luck.
One last update: the last time I ran the tank down, the idiot light did come on.