I have recently purchased a 280zx. When I bought the car it started up with no problems at there home. Then when I went to test drive it, it drove for about 1/2 a mile and then just died. It would start up at first then when I hit the gas it would die. Someone had told me that I could try replacing the mass airflow sensor which I did but now it won't even start up. Any ideas on what it may be?

 

Welcome to ZDriver!!! Check all the basics first... timing, spark plugs, spark plug wires, sensors, sensor connections (especially the AFM Air Flow Meter, and CHTS Cylinder Head Temp Sensor).

Also, buy a Haynes manual... best $14 investment evah!

 

Haynes manual definitely on the way!

I get it to run on occasion now and sounds like it's getting better. Still does putter out occasionally but I believe that my fuel pump needs replacing as it makes a loud funny noise as the engine is running. Also, I checked my plugs and there only problem is the black deposits. Assuming rings, pistons or something of the sort. 1980 280zx L28E

 

is it the one in your signature or is that another one you own?

 

Its the one in my signature.

 

Gas cap might help.

 

Did you remember to plug the connection into the bottom of the AFM after you replaced it? And if so, are the contacts clean?

How old is the fuel filter? did the car sit for a long time? There could be sediment in the tank that is clogging the filter.


Rod.

 

The CHTS (cylinder head temp sensor) is a bigg place. Those old plastic plugs don't like to grip the sensor very well. If you don't know. It's on the passenger side. Right next to #6 sparkplug. It won't run without it.(it will if you floor it, but when you. Let off. It dies) and of course. Fuel.

 

Thanks every1! I did indeed check the connector for the afm, clean. Fuel filter is definitely old, probably replacing it along with fuel pump!

 

Is the fuel pump toast?

 

no chts on the 1980's!!!!! id replace the fuel filter and do a complete tune up!! the biggest most overlooked part of buying a used car. the fuel pump will make noise, but dont replace it without testing fuel pressure first. the plugs being a bit black as you have said is somewhat normal for a car having a bit of trouble running. if there is no blue or black smoke out the tailpipe, leave the internal parts of the engine alone. these things are pretty bulletproof.

 

I was wondering about that temp sensor, so I definitely don't have one? I do have some blue smoke though, sorry didnt mean to leave that out. Fuel pump just makes loud continuous noise as engines idling. As far as the tune-up goes, should I hold back on changing the plugs until I'm sure that it isn't worn rings, pistons or anything else? As I do not wanna buy stock in ngk, lol I am going to try to post video up later this afternoon. Do i use html to post video in these threads? Anyone?

 

This was posted on another forum...

"...got my little datsun "running" again today. it was really struggling at first and only seemed like it was running on one carburator (3 cylinders). i kept it going and it seemed to finally clear the other carb. since i had no tools at the house i decided to drive it over to my shop, about 2 miles away.
see where this is going?
anyway, once it cleared i thought everything should be pretty good since i had it tuned before i parked it a couple months ago. i figure i just blow the carbs out and i'm golden. right? right.
i made the first mile sorta o.k. and then it started to just run flat. i had the pedal floored but i kept slowing down. finally it just stalled. i restarted it and made another 100 feet before it died. this went on for the next 1/2 mile or so. getting progressively worse. i couldn't figure out what the hell was going on with it so <here goes the shooting myself in the foot part> it seemed that it might be running too lean. so i fattened up the carbs. that didn't work so maybe it was actually running to rich, so i leaned them out. maybe carb timing is off so i started tweeking the idle mix screws.
i finally got it just across the street from my shop. i figured at this point, maybe i was actually out of gas because i could get it to run for just a few seconds and then it would just die. i didn't think i was out of gas as it still showed above 'E' on the gauge, but gauges have been wrong before. maybe i was sucking the bowls dry. so i walk across the street and grab my service truck, throw a can in the back and grab a couple gallons of gas.
i put the gas in and i'll be dammed but it's still not running right. so WTF?
then i think maybe, just maybe, there's something else making it look like it's running out of gas. i pull the fuel filter off and i'll be a jack@zz if the sumbich isn't dang near completely blocked.
i didn't have a spare but i did have some brake cleaner on the truck so i spray it and tap out all the chunks of crap.
funny thing is the car actually runs when it's getting fuel. now i just have to retune the carbs that i totally pharked up jumping straight to check 11.
took about 1.5 hours to drive that 2 miles."

 

So all I need to clean my filter out is a little brake cleaner, cool. Got it, might have to go do that now!

 

Go get a new one... They're 5 bucks.


OGG

 

Slowly but surely she's runnin better. Cleaned out the filter, wasn't too bad, no need to replace at this time. Actually staying runnin now, need to take her for a test spin here soon!

 

If cleaning the filter helped it at all, a new filter might make a lot bigger improvement.

 

^ agreed

check the connections on the sensors arround the thermostat housing on the front of the block. theres a water temp sencor up there, since you dont have a CHTS, and its pretty much the same thing.

 

Basically gonna check everything over for the most part. Couldn't get the video yesterday, wifey's X-mas party started early. Hopefully today, still trying to finish cleaning up the fuel system .

 

there deff. isnt the chts on your car, or at least there shouldnt be. check between #5 and 6 cylinders, if you got a sensor there then you know... do the whole tune up, its easier to diagnose problems when you have a good base to start from. if you nickel and dime these cars youll find yourself frustrated and anoyed, then end up selling it for some dumb little 15 dollar part. trust me ive been there.

 

Well looks like I might have 1 after all, right between 5 and 6 just a little underneath it. You tell me. Posted pics, think I did it right!

 

^ That's it!

Try and clean the contacts first before replacing it.


Rod.

 

No prob, thanks again!

 

wow, 1980 had it, well not in canada, shows what i know!!

 

Yeah I was getting a little confused myself at first. So what year parts will fit this thing? I know usually you have a couple year stretch just not sure what years.