Alright, so in my local classifieds there is a 1987 300zx (z31) for sale for $500. He said that the engine starts and will idle but when gas is given it shuts off. Would it be worth it to pay $500? What would the repair most likely be? I am about to be 16 and am paying for this car 100% by myself. Please, tell me wassup.

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

$500 is a good deal as long as there's no major damage. Check the body... tires... all fluids... etc. Most Z31 engine probs are fairly easy to diagnose by running ecu codes.

That specific problem could be a bad MAF, TPS, wrong timing, bad plugs, bad gas, etc... When did that problem start for him? Has he been driving it lately?

 

AutoZone does ECU checks for free right? I was told by a friend that it was probably the MAF also....He said the problem started a while ago (5 months?). This is one of the car on my "Dream Car" list. Im so excited about it.

ALSO!!! Glad to be a member of a great site. Look forward to years with the great Z, and this site.

 

Autozone checks OBD-II (year 96+ cars). I doubt the guys at AZ know anything about Z31's. You can check the codes yourself... follow the procedure on the back of the ecu, or click: http://www.nissanforums.com/z31-300z...z31-codes.html

 

would it be worth it to buy a OBD1/OBD2 scanner for about $200? Also, what are common repairs and maintenance for this particular car? I have $360 after buying the car. And i have a semi-steady income of about $200 a month until November. Then X-Mas and finally my B-day. so maybe about $800 for repairs by february?

 

If you have a car to use it on... as I previously stated, this car doesn't have OBD-II, and you run the codes yourself right from the ecu... there is no port for a scanner. Did you click the link I posted?


The same things any car needs... fluids, tires, belts, etc. You treat it well, it will treat you well.

 

plugs, wires, cap, rotor, timing belt, water pump and anything that is broken.

 

I looked at the instructions....i guess it didn't sink in that the car doesn't have a OBD1 port....woops.


Will the ECU codes tell me if the problem is the MAFS or TPS? Are most of the routine maintenance things able to be done at home? Or would it be best to take it do a dealer/mechanic?

 

Can you give a rough estimate? How much of the repairing will i be able to do myself? Would it be more cost efficient to take it to a dealer/mechanic?

 

Please click the link I posted about running the ecu codes.

And doing it yourself depends on your skill level. R&R of the MAF and TPS is pretty simple.

 

Yeah...this is an '87 300ZX....that ECU check was for years up-to '86.

 

It's all the same procedure 85-95, the only difference are the codes themselves. If you have the tools and space, there are more then enough write ups on the timing belt change.

 

what kind of tools? i think i got plenty of space....a front yard is good right?

 

Basic hand tools.

 

Then im gold. Am i going to need a car-jack or somethin? Or some extra help?

 

If you are going to jack up the car... you will need a jack.

 

Being as i have never replaced a timing belt.....
REMEMBER, this is my first car. Before this i have only tinkered with a couple cars. I mean, i can check fluid levels and change (almost) all fluids.

I also read the entire code-pulling thread.....it did say it changed in '87 but there isn't a new post or anything. What repair manual/field manuals do you recommend?

 

Clicky: http://www.xenonz31.com/reference.html

 

I didnt tell ya this, but i been lookin for that for 3 days!!!!! Thank you so so much

 

I found a guy selling his 1987 300ZX for $500 in the local classifieds. Called and talked to him....said the car runs at idle then shuts off at gas. I can't decide if i want to put the time, effort, and money into this car and it not work. Any suggestions? I have been hearing it could be the MAFS, TPS, or CHTS....or a combination of the three. I don't know much about this stuff...yall tell me.

 

Merged threads.... we already discussed this no?

 

I was all like what the f*** then i was like ohhhhh then i was like....im not getting anymore responses.....so ya know....

 

Are you mechanically inclined, or do you look at a screwdriver and can't figure out which end is up?

If you are mechanically inclined, then buy it, a Haynes manual and download a factory service manual from Xenon's site.

If you can't take apart a jar of peanut butter without help, you can't afford a 20+ year old car.

 

Yeah. I was in shop and computer science last year, metals and comp sci 2 this year. I know my way around a shop and a computer. I'm more than likely going to buy it. I just need to find a trailer to pull behind the Navigator...

Yall don't understand how psyched i am about this car. It's like a dream come true for me.

Where do i get a haynes manual IN STORE? I don't like having to order online through my mom....im only 15/16

 

That place we call "Autozone". http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=579151_0_0_