Been sitting for 2 1/2 years
06-26-2002, 03:16 PM
#1
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Been sitting for 2 1/2 years
I am going to pickup my 1982 280zx this weekend that I just purchased last night. I am the 3rd owner of the little girl and she has never been wrecked, though here is where the trouble begins. The previous owner, after having her tuned up, was told that the "clutch line" was about to go out and that it needed to be replaced. He chose to wait, and well sure enough about a month later, the "clutch" went out. He parked the car and not being really mechanically inclined, never went out and started it over the next 2 1/2 years. My wife and I were able to purchase the car for $800 and are really looking forward to getting her back on the road, but considering that we are a young married couple we don't have much money to spend right off the bat. This brings me to my questions. 1) Since it has set this long, what all do I need to do to it before trying to start it, I know I have to replace the battery, fuel filter, and oil, but I have been told I need to manually crank the oil pump to re-lube the engine. Is this true? If not, what should I do, and if so, how should I go about this. 2) When we looked at the car last night, the clutch had no real tension to it (though not like the pedal itself was broken). I wonder, could it be that the clutch master cylinder or hydrolic line or both could be out, instead of the clutch itself? I really want to start tinkering with her Saturday afternoon when we get her back from Tulsa, so any suggestion, clues, prayers or other words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jamie
12108-82_280zx_PrePickup3(shrunk).jpg
Thanks
Jamie
12108-82_280zx_PrePickup3(shrunk).jpg
06-26-2002, 07:54 PM
#2
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Re: Been sitting for 2 1/2 years
hey the clutch may be fine. the clutch line (hose) may have broken apart, it is easy to replce. when you get the new one on, you bleed it like a regular brake caliper. its that simple. there is no pressure in the clutch line right now, thats why it feels the way it does. good luck and post back ANYTIME you need help.
David K- SoCalZ Prez
David K- SoCalZ Prez
06-27-2002, 06:58 AM
#4
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Re: Been sitting for 2 1/2 years
would you happen to have any ideas as to what to do concerning the fact the motor has not been started in the last 2 1/2 years? Oh, and by the way, thanks for the suggestions.
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by kd5izq on 06/27/02 07:00 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by kd5izq on 06/27/02 07:00 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
06-27-2002, 10:08 AM
#5
The Evil Twin
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 9,294
Re: Been sitting for 2 1/2 years
Yes, I have heard that you can put some oil inside each cylinder. Take out the spark plugs, put a couple spoonfuls of oil in each hole, and then put a socket on the front main nut and turn it around a couple times with the spark plugs out. (on the ZX you may need to remove the fan or radiator) take a look and see how much room is in there.
I dont' remember what kind of oil was recommended. WD-40 might be ok. Also some thin motor oil would be harmless. Also, after turning the engine over a few times you could let her set for a day to let the oil soak in around the rings. Another thing that may not be nessisary, but couldn't hurt...
Do your usual oil/filter change, and when putting oil back in, take off the valve cover and dump some oil over the cam and followers. First clean out any goopy oil mess you see there. Fill the engine to its usual capacity and replace the valve cover.
Then start the motor after replacing the spark plugs.
I dont' remember what kind of oil was recommended. WD-40 might be ok. Also some thin motor oil would be harmless. Also, after turning the engine over a few times you could let her set for a day to let the oil soak in around the rings. Another thing that may not be nessisary, but couldn't hurt...
Do your usual oil/filter change, and when putting oil back in, take off the valve cover and dump some oil over the cam and followers. First clean out any goopy oil mess you see there. Fill the engine to its usual capacity and replace the valve cover.
Then start the motor after replacing the spark plugs.
06-27-2002, 12:35 PM
#6
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Posts: n/a
Re: Been sitting for 2 1/2 years
Is the turning of the front main nut necessary for oil in the spark plug hole method? If I'm going to remove the valve cover and poor some oil in there, would it be better to do this first and the drop a little oil in the spark plug holes? I most definitely do not want to come across as questioning, I just want to try and do all I can so that I won't have to have this engine rebuilt next week 
06-28-2002, 06:32 AM
#7
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Re: Been sitting for 2 1/2 years
You're better off drowning the thing in oil & fouling the plugs after 5 minutes than scoring the bores & having to rebuild it.
With the plugs out & oil in each cylinder, turning by hand will be a whole lot gentler than cranking with the starter. You'll also find out if the engine turns at all (the rings _may_ have stuck to the bores, but I doubt it). Once all lubed up a compression test wouldn't hurt either, it will give a good indication of the condition of the sealing surfaces. You may find that the valve stem seals have gone hard & it uses a little oil. But cross that bridge it you come to it.
Keep us posted.
Ben
Adelaide
Sth Australia
IZCC#1902
240Z L31ETT
L28ET MR30 Skyline
FJ20DET DR30 Skyline RS-X
With the plugs out & oil in each cylinder, turning by hand will be a whole lot gentler than cranking with the starter. You'll also find out if the engine turns at all (the rings _may_ have stuck to the bores, but I doubt it). Once all lubed up a compression test wouldn't hurt either, it will give a good indication of the condition of the sealing surfaces. You may find that the valve stem seals have gone hard & it uses a little oil. But cross that bridge it you come to it.
Keep us posted.
Ben
Adelaide
Sth Australia
IZCC#1902
240Z L31ETT
L28ET MR30 Skyline
FJ20DET DR30 Skyline RS-X
06-28-2002, 08:56 AM
#8
The Evil Twin
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 9,294
Re: Been sitting for 2 1/2 years
The point of my suggestion is exactly as mentioned above. You want to GENTLY let the rings and pistons run some oil up and down the piston walls. Turning by hand is about 2 rpm. You need just enough oil to cover the surface of the piston. As the piston goes up and down it will lube and clean up the cylinder walls inside. Letting it set a day will let the oil around the edge kind of soak into the rings and get any grit all lubed up. The oil will definatly burn for a bit when you first start up the engine. Putting the oil on the cam gets that nice and wet since at first you'll have pretty dry cam lobes.
Also, when you first start up the engine, you can never be sure how the fuel/air/idle will go and the engine may idle high or revv up to 2200 rpm accidently for just a moment. Doing all this lubrication will ensure that nothing gets scratched up in that first startup before the oil has time to be sucked into the oil pump and up into your cam, then run down over everything. If something does get scratched, then it'll just get worse from here on out and you'll need to do some rebuilding within a year or two. :-(
that's why a daily driver lasts so long! My car has had daily use to and from work and is running strong a 197,000 miles. I've kept up on maintenance. The only problem is something with my cold start system, but I'll look into that later. I just have to set for a minute each morning before I take off for work.
Also, when you first start up the engine, you can never be sure how the fuel/air/idle will go and the engine may idle high or revv up to 2200 rpm accidently for just a moment. Doing all this lubrication will ensure that nothing gets scratched up in that first startup before the oil has time to be sucked into the oil pump and up into your cam, then run down over everything. If something does get scratched, then it'll just get worse from here on out and you'll need to do some rebuilding within a year or two. :-(
that's why a daily driver lasts so long! My car has had daily use to and from work and is running strong a 197,000 miles. I've kept up on maintenance. The only problem is something with my cold start system, but I'll look into that later. I just have to set for a minute each morning before I take off for work.
07-05-2002, 03:44 AM
#9
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Re: Been sitting for 2 1/2 years
If the car has been sitting on the wheels, you're going to need to replace the wheel bearings, they will have flat sides from bearing the weight of the car for 2.5 years.
Also, the gas in the tank will be varnish by now, you'll need to pull the tank, drain it, and perhaps an acid-bath.
Also, the gas in the tank will be varnish by now, you'll need to pull the tank, drain it, and perhaps an acid-bath.
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