I killed my 300zx.. =(

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Peter Pan - 02 Jan 2005 22:23 GMT

About a month and a half now, I purchased my 1990 300zx tt. It was
beautiful. Actually, still is.. Had a full body kit, 18inch rims, I
don't
know.. It was just perfect.. It ran perfect, also.
I didn't think it was missing anything. Until a week later, when I
installed
its stereo.. And it made the experience so much better.

I went wild.. Within the week, I bought an intercooler, the piping, a
boost
controller..

I was about to have it installed, when the car died on me.
It would always overheat.. And I would have no idea why.. I was told
that
these cars do overheat, and so I thought it was normal..
One day I saw smoke coming out of the engine.. And, thinking it was
something really bad happening, I switched everything off, and was
about to
call my mechanic when I thought.. 'Well.. It was a really hot day
today.. It
won't do it again..'
And it didn't..

So I kept on driving it..
And driving it..
And driving it....
And driving it still..
When all of a sudden.. I heard the engine do some extremly weird
noises..

The car drove on for a few more kms.. And suddenly died..
It didn't start after that.

I checked the oil..
Not a single drop.

Apparently two things wrong..
1: There was no oil (obviously something wrong)..
b: Something wasn't working with the cooling system.. Something along
those
lines..
Apparently the piping flushes water through to keep it cool? I've no
idea..

In any case..

The valves might need replacing..
The engine might need re-constructing..

I don't know.. Apparently he just needs to start pulling it apart and
fixing whatever may be wrong with it.

What I want to know..
Is it worth spending AU$4-6000 on this engine, or would it be better
to buy
another one?

Should I take it to my mechanic or, should I take it to a nissan
specialist place?

Basically I don't know much about these cars, aside from the fact
that.. I
got addicted to them..
They cost a lot of money to maintain.. I'll admit to that..
I used to drive a '76 ford.. And thought I'd never give up my 351..
I got addicted to boost..

Someone help.. Or.. Guide me as to where to go.. What to do..

Reply to this Message

Steve T - 03 Jan 2005 01:54 GMT

> About a month and a half now, I purchased my 1990 300zx tt. It was
> beautiful. Actually, still is.. Had a full body kit, 18inch rims, I
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> that
> these cars do overheat, and so I thought it was normal..

That's BS, they don't overheat normally. You cooked the engine overheating
it, it started using oil, you never checked the oil and blew it up.

The engine in the car isn't a good canidate for rebuilding. Overheated
engines warp parts and aneal the aluminum heads to the point they are junk.
Best option is to buy a used engine out of a wreck and hope for the best.
And get the cooling system problem fixed, probably is a bad radiator and/or
a fan clutch. If it's a turbo, expect to spend $$$$$ getting it fixed.

Signature

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

Reply to this Message

John Smith - 03 Jan 2005 05:33 GMT

Buy and engine from the wrecking yard as the one you have is a boat
anchor and not worth salvage value. You could take it apart and get
scrap value for the metal. But, if it were me I would get a good used
engine and do the transplant.

> About a month and a half now, I purchased my 1990 300zx tt. It was
> beautiful. Actually, still is.. Had a full body kit, 18inch rims, I
[quoted text clipped - 65 lines]
>
> Someone help.. Or.. Guide me as to where to go.. What to do..

Reply to this Message

chris - 04 Jan 2005 11:05 GMT

You just made the silliest mistake ever. neglecting to check the basics of
owning any car. CHECK THE OIL. And if you get warning lights or funny
noises, get them checked.

Hope your willing to spend some serious amounts of cash now to get it fixed?

Reply to this Message

Steve T - 05 Jan 2005 01:41 GMT

> You just made the silliest mistake ever. neglecting to check the basics of
> owning any car.

VERY common today for this to happen.

We have people drive up ALL THE TIME asking us to listen to their engine
noises and when I ask if they have checked the oil, they look at me like
I'm an idiot for asking. Of course it turns out the engine has no oil in it
and of course they don't think they should have to be bothered to check it.
Then they get upset because we charge $0.40 more a quart than walmart
charges for it and drive off with no oil to get oil somewhere else
cheaper! :-/

Signature

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

Reply to this Message