mrprofile

So i was Checking out this 1981 2+2 280zx with T-tops i found on craigslist and the car started up fine but there was this humming that was pretty loud and constantly on, the guy selling the zx told me it's the fuel pump and that its normal because the fuel line is ran through the roof so the pump has to work hard to move the fuel.
my questions are:
Is the fuel line really ran through the roof?
and is the fuel pump loud enough to be very easily heard with the engine running?

BlueKitsune

Welcome to ZDriver first off!

And No the fuel line doesn't go though the roof at all it actually goes under the passenger floor board next to the frame rail.

And the fuel pumps are know for getting really loud at time as the rubber insulator around the pump wears down and hardens. Also the fuel dampener may be going out which also helps to keep the noise down.

mrprofile

Thanks for the welcome, and the info, good thing i didn't get the ZX, it had weird problems, the quartz clock didn't work, the awesome power antenna was replaced with a van antenna, the passenger seat belt didnt have a latch, the rear leaf springs were worn down, the window had a hairline crack, I had to pump the gas before starting it (weird since i thought they were all fuel injected) and i would have needed to fix that fuel pump noise.

BlueKitsune

Pump the gas? lol Its doing what my Z does. ITs probably not holding fuel pressure very well.

Oh and they don't have leaf springs, just coil springs. Well hopefully you can find you a good Z/X They seem to pop up at random at best and you sometimes find a steal on one.

mrprofile

yea, lol i thought i found a good one, then i saw it had a custom sunroof... which means the guyed the poor roof

BlueKitsune

I have heard of semi-factory sunroofs on the S30s but S130s where mostly T tops I think. I'm not sure lol

mrprofile

hey if i do buy a 280zx or 280z are there any bad things that I could prevent, for example the 280z's dashes cracked all the time and it rusted in the corners where the hatchback latched, are there anymore, and are there ways of preventing that stuff?

BlueKitsune

Dash cover for the dash is your best bet on keeping it from cracking due to drying out and the sun eating it. uh as for rust just a good coat of paint will do usually. some even do truck bed liner to stop rust!

mrprofile

ok ty, man its so much easier to find info and parts for Z cars compared to my van lol

BlueKitsune

Np and Ya it can be lol depends on what Z you get

mrprofile

yea, i much prefer the later ones, mainly because they have more gadgets and seats, plus my mechanic advised me the newer the better, and not to get a turbo lol, oh and about that 280zx with the sun roof, apparently its actually a 280z, and the owner installed the roof custom, which is a word i never want to hear when im buying a car lol

BlueKitsune

lol IMO More gadgets = more **** that can break. But the 280Z and 280ZX have a good reliable (when maintained) EFI system. I dealt with the carbs off of a 240Z Unless their next to knew they have air leaks that make the car run kinda bad. And Turbos are ok but they seem to break down more often.

NismoPick

um... both of these statements are pretty huge "generalities". A STOCK turbo motor has no greater chance to "break" than any other motor. It was engineered to withstand the forces it would go through. However, if the OWNER neglects the motor (whether it be n/a or turbo), or "tinkers" with it incorrectly, that is another story.


... don't let peoples' lack of knowledge keep you from enjoying your freedom of choice ...

mrprofile

I think my mechanic meant something more along the lines that they are harder to work on, and more complicated.

NismoPick

Well, tell him I disagree, and that I call him a wussy mechanic. These are about the most simple cars out there... only the Geo Metro beats the Z in simplicity (I've owned many of each).

mrprofile

haha, thats good, i just wish the 280z's came with power steering, I drove a 78 2+2 and I tell you, That 280z made my power steeringless van feel like feathers lol