okay i got a problem
i bougth a 1985 nissan 300zx with a blown head gasket
and my car wont start
whats the reason my car wont start
it'll turn over but wont start


and how woudl i go about replacing the headgasket

thanx for teh help

 

Welcome, drkfilldschemis!

Starting Problem

There could be one or more reasons why your Z won't start, but we need more info. in order to help you.

Also, please update your profile to include which model Z you have, and whether it's an NA or Turbo (specifying whether it has an auto or manual transmission may also help us with this particular problem).

Head Gasket Replacement

Click HERE for general info. on how to replace it. I would recommend purchasing a Haynes manual, which can help you learn about your Z and assist you with more specific maintenance, repair and other info.

One other thing, when was the last time the timing belt was replaced? A full 60K mile maintenance is recommended, but the timing belt replacement is most crucial - if it breaks, you might be out an engine.

 

if the head gasket is seriously blown where you have almost no compression in all or most of the cylinders it wont start....you need compression for a car to run....

 

okay i have power and everythign electric wise
i got fuel in the car
and i got a blown head gasket
when i put the key in it will turn over but wont start
also i have a manual transmission

so 2 fix it do i need 2 replace the head gasket
in order 2 get the compression that i need 2 start it?

and how hard woudl it be 2 do the replacing of the head gasket my self?

 

meh...you can do it if your pretty good at turnin a wrench...me n my dad swap heads on the l28 a few times...no big really...but its not easy by anymeans either...and i dont know for sure if thats why...just my guess...

 

yeah thats what i thought
so how long do you think it woudl take me 2 replace the head gaskets?
also is there anythign else i really need 2 know thats special 2 do it
such as anythign else besides needing to torque the bolts 2 a certain measurement?
also is it really worth it 2 get a head gasket set for 150 bucks when i can just get the head gasket it self for 50?

 

Well there are small things like exhaust and intake gaskets. valve cover gaskedts. valve seals. Your choice.

Oh by the way hope you got it cheap.

 

yeah i got it cheap

i'v alreadly started 2 take it apart

is there anythign special i need 2 know when im puttin it back2 gether?

such things as besides having 2 knwo what 2 torque the bolts in?

also will i have 2 screw with the timing belt?

 

try not to let your timing chain change positions on the sprockets....tape the sprocket to the chain...wrap it up, that will just make it easier int eh end, at least thats how we do it.

 

okay i have a question, i finally got my heads off my z31 non-turbo. and the reason im doing that is because im replacing my headgaskets, because the person i bought it from said they blew them and thats why it wasn't running, okay my question is what else will not cause the car to start besides blown headgaskets? is there anything else i should replace while i have the engine torn apart before i put it back on. such other things that might not cause the car to start?
let me know what you guys think, thanks for all your help

 

Z31's don't have timing chains.

Drkfilldschemis, I realize that your engine won't start, but have you tried to run the ECU diagnostics to see if it gives any error codes? There's several reasons that'll prevent a car from starting, so it's not easy to diagnose without more information about the problem, any modifications that have been made to the car, and all repairs that were done most recently.

 

Time to get a maintenance manual, if you havent done so already.

 

i have dont nothing extra to it, its completely stock, so no mods
and i'v taken off the head gaskets, and thats it for repairs.
where is the starter located in the car?
also if my electricty is fine, like no dimming of lights or anything, is my starter okay or what?

 

Do you have a manual for the car??? Before this thread continues.... PLEASE TELL ME YOU HAVE A MANUAL.

 

wheres the starter??? thats to easy... by the flywheel... aka rear of the engine... as of right or left side i dont know i dont own that type of car...

 

i do and its a chilton so it sucks

 

also, what the heck is the ecu? i read a little about it and i searched on google and i can't find exactly what i need. i need to know how to test the ecu, read the ecu and find out what the error code means, liek the problem.
thanks for help

 

ECU = Electronic Control Unit. Pretty tricky lingo eh?

Clicky: http://www.az-zbum.com/faqs.shtml#basic16

Also... read EVERY part of this site and ALL your questions will be answered:
http://www.az-zbum.com/index.shtml

 

i knew what it stood for
i'm not that dumb

 

i freakin love you nismo
that is exactly what i needed
god i searched for ever on google and u just throw that out other for me
thanks a lot

 

hey another thing upon inspecting the heads the vavles where a color of white and my friend that was helping me seemed to thing it wasn't a good thing and it was a bad thing and it needed replacing, i didn't think a thing of it. so is that a problem or not?

 

First off your starter is not bad if the car is trying to turn over.

Secound If the valves are whitened check your plugs also they may also be the same color. Which would mean your not getting fuel, and that could be a number of problems. Starting with a bad fuel pump fuse.

I would say spend the next couple days reading everything you can find on how engines and in particular the vg30 works. Changing a head gasket isn't just one of those things you jump into, And for heaven sake go out spend the money and get a freakin haynes manuel. It explaines everything you will ever need to know how to do.

 

okay new thing on this
how easy would it be to swap out the engine in a 1986 z31 nonturbo, with the same engine?

 

this question is all relative. For someone who hasn't done it before and doesn't have very much mechanical experience....it could be a VERY difficult task that ends up being more expensive than necessary. For someone who has done it many times...it would be a lot easier.

 

well im not retarded when it comes to this stuff
plus i got a friend that is helping me do it
that does engine swaps all the time on hondas
so u think we can do it liek in a day if the old engine is alreadly out?