Why does my 1977 280z emit smoke out the tailpipe?
11-29-2009, 07:09 PM
#1
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Why does my 1977 280z emit smoke out the tailpipe?
Hi all! I own a 1977 280z. It failed California's strict emission test a few years ago. I have been restoring this Z slowly but surely, and have not driven it in 4 years or so. Can anyone tell me what would cause smoke to be emitted from the tailpipe and thus have DMV label my 280z as a gross polluter?
I remember reading somewhere that some of the 280z motors had an issue with bad valve guides that caused the smoke...and the simple solution was to replace the valve guides!
My 280Z has only 130,000 miles on it. It was given to me as a gift about 9 years ago. The owner was a 65 year old grandma who drove it like a snail.
How can I tell if it is the valve guides or perhaps the rings or something else
?
Please help me if you can!
I have attached 3 pics of 280's I have owned. I like to bless people. I gave the gold 280z away to a friend and I gave the white ZX to my nephew. The silver/gray Z is the one I presently own and am restoring.
Soar
I remember reading somewhere that some of the 280z motors had an issue with bad valve guides that caused the smoke...and the simple solution was to replace the valve guides!
My 280Z has only 130,000 miles on it. It was given to me as a gift about 9 years ago. The owner was a 65 year old grandma who drove it like a snail.
How can I tell if it is the valve guides or perhaps the rings or something else
?Please help me if you can!
I have attached 3 pics of 280's I have owned. I like to bless people. I gave the gold 280z away to a friend and I gave the white ZX to my nephew. The silver/gray Z is the one I presently own and am restoring.
Soar
Last edited by soarwitheagles; 11-29-2009 at 07:14 PM.
11-29-2009, 07:26 PM
#2
Welcome to ZDriver! 
What color is the smoke?
Have you changed the fuel recently? Gasoline can go bad after about 6 months.
Have you done a tune up recently? Plugs? Wires? Cap/rotor? Timing? Fuel treatment?
What color is the smoke?
Have you changed the fuel recently? Gasoline can go bad after about 6 months.
Have you done a tune up recently? Plugs? Wires? Cap/rotor? Timing? Fuel treatment?
11-29-2009, 07:37 PM
#4
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Please allow me to answer your Q's:
What color is the smoke?
The smoke was barely visible. I would say it was a little dark, but very not easily perceptible. What made it easy to recognize was:
1. The smell, it smelled like burnt oil [Yuk].
2. Missing oil [I had to add one quart per month's worth of driving (every 80-100 miles)] and there were no oil leaks.
I placed new gas in the vehicle but it still smoked.
Have you done a tune up recently?
I did tune ups every 6 months and it still smoked.
Plugs? Wires? Cap/rotor? Timing? Fuel treatment?
Yes, I replaced all items and also tried STP's gas treatment.
Anything else I could be missing here?
It's me,
Soar
11-29-2009, 07:39 PM
#5
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