Now You "Z" It (1985 Nissan 300ZX) @ streetcarmike.com

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Now You "Z" It
1985 Nissan 300ZX

Page created July 11, 2000.
Updated May 11, 2008.
Š2000-2008 Michael Strauch. All rights reserved.
No photograph may be used elsewhere without my permission.

NOW YOU "Z" IT!

Here I am with my 1985 Nissan 300ZX at Lexington Reservoir in Santa Clara County on January 17, 2007. This page tells about how I keep it going strong.
My friends the Michaux brothers (Julius, Carlos, and Mark), who have a shop in Mountain View, got fortunate with a certain used vehicle that had 209,000 miles and needed a tuneup, a new clutch fan, a new master brake cylinder, new rack-and-pinion, new disc brakes, and new tires. But they took care of all that, and I took possession on April 26, 2000 of a "new" car that is the best I have ever owned. It features five-speed transmission, six-cylinder non-turbo engine, power steering, power brakes, digital cluster, and leather seating.
One of my favorite game shows was 1974's "Now You See It." After I got my Z, I played with the words and came up with the logo and title of this page, "Now You Z It."
One problem I learned about was that I had to disconnect the battery overnight because the headlight/turn signal switch had a short that caused power drain. In September 2000, Mark bypassed the "automatic" parking lights with a relay.
My friends installed a new radiator and oil sending unit in November 2000. In February 2001 they installed new rear shocks and struts and adjusted the bearings and clutch pedal cable. New struts help stabilize the rear end, reducing brake pad and tire wear. In August 2001 the timing belt and its tensioner were replaced.
On September 9, 2001 Julius "Scheib" and I dry and wet sanded the right fender, hood, and roof. Then he applied primer and a coat of new gloss black paint. I've seen other Nissan Z cars with fading like mine. This was a quick-fix job that will hold until I finally do go for full body work and painting.
The muffler and catalytic converter were replaced in January 2002. On the smog check, it passed like it didn't have any emissions! (0 ppm hydrocarbons, 0.00% CO at both idle and 2500 rpm. This was superior to its original smog in April '00 with 45-77 ppm and .33-.54% carbon monoxide.) Take THAT, zero emissions proponents and environmentalists!
In March 2002 the digital dash went out, a common Z problem. The controller box was replaced, but this didn't remedy its tendency. A fresh digital dash from an '86 Z was installed. Now it's super bright green and always works.
Yes, the Z actually does go into the shop! Here are two views from August 2003 when I had the rear rotors replaced. The right rear bearings were also changed that month.
On September 14, 2003 the Baby got a new clutch master cylinder and clutch slave cylinder. The latter was really torn up, allowing air into the system and making the clutch pedal fall all the way to the floor in hot weather. Now I could properly shift with the pedal halfway down.
The Moose: The 280ZX and the Z31 300ZX seem to have a moaning noise when the car is reversing. You can minimize the moose by buying brake pads properly designed (angled at the corners) for the Z and/or replacing the rear struts. The noise of the moose does not completely go away, though.
Julius put new rear pads in November 2003, at which time he and Carlos also replaced the water pump, thermostat, timing belt (showing wear from the pump leak, so why not do it while the cover is open anyway), and radiator cap. Julius also used Toyota sealant (a superior type to those usually used at shops) to close leaks at the radiator cap outlet.
We began using Amtecol motor oil in the Z on July 23, 2004 and have periodically added sealants such as Restore engine restorer and Bardahl No-Smoke Plus Stop Leak additive.

On July 31, 2004 Julius used three cans of clear coating spray to make the fading paint look better.
The Z had rough idling, surging up and down by 300-400 rpm. Carlos diagnosed that the throttle positioning sensor (TPS) had given out. Fortunately, Julius and I found one on a junked '85 at Pick-n-Pull on Monterey Road in San Jose. The replacement TPS gave a much better result. I also remember to add fuel injector cleaner every couple of months.
The tires I bought from Firestone on April 26, 2000 hardened and pancaked over the years. When the tread started disappearing and the car losing its handling ability (especially when raining), I knew I had to replace them. Carlos and Julius replaced the rear ones on December 10, 2004 and the front ones on February 24, 2005. My new Futura touring tires made the car very quiet and cushiony. I had a real blast driving on the freeways after picking up the Z on February 24th. The car floats along like a magic carpet, especially on good pavement surfaces.

HEATER CORE VALVES:

On April 13, 2005 I saw a leak of coolant dripping down the back of the engine. The heater core valve assembly was broken; it would not switch open or closed properly. Because the replacement from Nissan costs as much as $200.00, Carlos rigged metal and rubber tubing to make a direct flow through the heater core. The U-shaped tube in the second picture depicts the replacement fitting.
Right after that, I noticed the reservoir was not replenishing the cooling system. Julius siphoned out the reservoir and found a light bulb in the outlet! Was that a brilliant idea? He and I never saw the bulb in there before. But he removed it and the reservoir works fine.
On June 10, 2005 my friends installed a manual valve onto the heater core hose. This was a part they just found out that week they could purchase and install. The valve can be opened using a remote cable release strung into the passenger compartment or, as I'm doing in the Z, opening the hood and turning the valve by hand. The "on" position allows the coolant to flow into the heater core so it could blow hot air. "Off" prevents coolant flow into the heater core so cool air blows through the climate control system. Without a valve, hot air was always blowing in when the car moved.

SEPTEMBER 2005:

The Z was having a hard time starting. It would crank and crank without turning over. My friends did a September 20th fuel injector service with two cans of cleaner, and now the baby runs beautifully.
My friend Dave, who owns a 1968 Camaro, replaced his Boss AVA-2825R stereo and gave it to me. Carlos and Julius installed it with new wiring and rear speakers on September 27, 2005. It plays beautifully, and I'm happy to have a good radio/CD player with an auxiliary jack for my MP3 player.

NOVEMBER 2005:

The cold snap of the first week of November did in my battery. There were not enough cranking amps for the car to start, although I was very lucky that it did start after Julius charged it up. Carlos installed a new CarQuest 72 month battery on the 8th. We got about four years' worth of cranking on the old one.

MARCH 2006:

Major repairs to the Z. New water pump, fan clutch, and catalytic converter were installed, the throttle positioning sensor cleaned, the timing belt tensioner bearing replaced, timing belt tightened, and the engine flushed and oil changed. (Paint got touched up too.) Once again, it passed the smog test beautifully: at 15 MPH, HC was 20 ppm, CO was 0.03%, and NO was 22 ppm; at 25 MPH, HC was 19 ppm, CO was 0.03%, and NO was 18 ppm. That's with the new California high emitter profile requiring a more stringent "test only" smog check.
This is how you keep a car with 275,000 miles going strong, by taking care of the things it needs early on. Also, remember to drive mellow (observe speed limits and don't peel out when your signal is green) and to warm up the car 2-5 minutes when the engine's cold. The picture shows the Z on March 6, 2006 at the new Wal-mart Supercenter in Gilroy. It runs smoothly and quietly. The new water pump and timing belt tensioner bearing will insure another 5-10 years of great service out of my Baby.

FALL 2006:

The alternator installed when I got the car gave out. Carlos ordered an Autolite brand alternator with a lifetime warranty. Here are pictures of the old and new alternators taken September 9, 2006. Lights got much brighter and the car accelerates better.
Coolant was leaving the radiator for the overflow reservoir. When I installed a new radiator cap, the coolant returned.

A MAJOR DISCOVERY IN JANUARY 2007:

The engine shut off after warming up and would crank, but not start again. A portable emergency coil got my car driven to the shop. Some research into Mitchell On Demand found that the distributor has LED crank angle sensors that become sensitive to heat over time. A replacement distributor from a newer Z got that problem solved. I needed a tuneup at the same time (cap, rotor, and spark plugs). In doing the timing, Carlos learned from Mitchell On Demand that the front pulley, the one with the timing marks, was put on backwards by someone who worked on my car for a previous owner. The Z will time correctly and run fine for a while, but the incorrect positioning of the pulley causes problems on anything the belts drive (distributor, alternator, water pump, power steering pump). He put it back on properly and solved another problem the car has had. The engine no longer farts.
With the freezing cold weather of January 2007 in my area, it was especially important to let the car warm up a few minutes before going. I let the needle start rising before pulling out.

FEBRUARY 29, 2008:

The guys performed an oil change using a quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer and three quarts Amtecol. The Lucas seals the system to improve oil pressure and performance. Then I took the car for the biannual smog test. The Z passed with emissions below the average for cars that passed the test. While the HC and NO have increased since the 2006 test, the previous tuneup saved me money on needing any repairs that would make the car pass. I used some of that money to repair the top two radiator hoses. Julius polished the fittings and applied Toyota sealant before installing new ones.

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION:

Lucas Oil Stabilizer is a wonderful engine additive. Not long after the February oil change, I started hearing a knocking sound. The lifters at the top of my engine may need replacement down the road (after all, the engine has 290,000 miles on it). But Julius added a little more Lucas to the crankcase, and the knocking went away. Now as I warm up the engine, I wait for the knocking lifter to get coated and quiet before starting to drive.
If you have an older engine, be sure to order yourself the Lucas Oil Stabilizer right away. You will get longer life on your vehicle. Hover your mouse on the bottle at left for the link.
NEW SECTION ADDED 05/11/08.

AUTO REPAIRS:

You'll have to do some research on your own if you want to fix your car. I do not give recommendations on the internet. However, I do advise you to warm up your car a few minutes before taking off. You should also drive mellow and try not to speed or get hyper. These things keep my car lasting longer, and you can get the same results if you take it easier on your own car. And please check the fuel gauge. There are people who get their car towed to the shop when they are out of gas.
Check the fluids, too. Some folks don't think oil has to be added or changed. Look at the color of the used oil draining from the Z on August 17, 2007. That's when it has begun losing viscosity and lubricating qualities. And if oil is not checked and added as needed, the engine will soon run dry. Then it won't run at all.

SMOG TESTS:

It bothers me that folks who move to California keep their vehicles registered in other states. That means you try to cheat the system in avoiding smog tests. One of the responsibilities I am willing to assume in being a Californian is bringing my car in every two years to comply with emissions standards. I spend hard earned money in keeping my car on the road, so I'm glad that law enforcement officials have begun cracking down on out-of-state plates on residents' cars. Keep your car legal in addition to keeping it maintained, and the karma will run good for you.

IN MEMORIAM:

This page is dedicated to my good friend Mark Michaux (1966-2003), who got me my Z and helped his brothers keep it in great operating condition. Thank you, Mark.

OTHER NISSAN Z CARS:

A 1988 Z at the shop on December 19, 2005.
Two different 280Z cars, one in Sunnyvale on August 7, 2006 and one in Santa Clara on August 8, 2006.
A 1985 300ZX in blue sits at the shop awaiting service. It's automatic transmission with a digital dash and 2+2 seating. August 26, 2006.
A blue 280Z at Loyola Corners in Los Altos on March 9, 2005.

Here's a 240Z in racing livery parked on an auto transport truck in Mountain View on August 10, 2007.

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Lucas 10001 Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer 32 oz. MP3 Downloads Zune 80 GB Digital Media Player Black (2nd Generation) Instant Sunglasses Large Size (Grey)



Order your Datsun/Nissan Z car license plate frame today! Datsun 240Z License Plate Frame Datsun 260Z License Plate Frame Datsun 280Z License Plate Frame Datsun 280ZX License Plate Frame Nissan 300ZX License Plate Frame Nissan 350Z License Plate Frame



WWW.STREETCARMIKE.COM Transportation Photography by Michael "Streetcar Mike" Strauch



Now You "Z" It 1985 Nissan 300ZX Page created July 11, 2000. Updated May 11, 2008. Š2000-2008 Michael Strauch. All rights reserved. No photograph may be used elsewhere without my permission.



		NOW YOU "Z" IT! Here I am with my 1985 Nissan 300ZX at Lexington Reservoir in Santa Clara County on January 17, 2007. This page tells about how I keep it going strong. My friends the Michaux brothers (Julius, Carlos, and Mark), who have a shop in Mountain View, got fortunate with a certain used vehicle that had 209,000 miles and needed a tuneup, a new clutch fan, a new master brake cylinder, new rack-and-pinion, new disc brakes, and new tires. But they took care of all that, and I took possession on April 26, 2000 of a "new" car that is the best I have ever owned. It features five-speed transmission, six-cylinder non-turbo engine, power steering, power brakes, digital cluster, and leather seating. One of my favorite game shows was 1974's "Now You See It." After I got my Z, I played with the words and came up with the logo and title of this page, "Now You Z It." One problem I learned about was that I had to disconnect the battery overnight because the headlight/turn signal switch had a short that caused power drain. In September 2000, Mark bypassed the "automatic" parking lights with a relay. My friends installed a new radiator and oil sending unit in November 2000. In February 2001 they installed new rear shocks and struts and adjusted the bearings and clutch pedal cable. New struts help stabilize the rear end, reducing brake pad and tire wear. In August 2001 the timing belt and its tensioner were replaced. On September 9, 2001 Julius "Scheib" and I dry and wet sanded the right fender, hood, and roof. Then he applied primer and a coat of new gloss black paint. I've seen other Nissan Z cars with fading like mine. This was a quick-fix job that will hold until I finally do go for full body work and painting. The muffler and catalytic converter were replaced in January 2002. On the smog check, it passed like it didn't have any emissions! (0 ppm hydrocarbons, 0.00% CO at both idle and 2500 rpm. This was superior to its original smog in April '00 with 45-77 ppm and .33-.54% carbon monoxide.) Take THAT, zero emissions proponents and environmentalists! In March 2002 the digital dash went out, a common Z problem. The controller box was replaced, but this didn't remedy its tendency. A fresh digital dash from an '86 Z was installed. Now it's super bright green and always works. Yes, the Z actually does go into the shop! Here are two views from August 2003 when I had the rear rotors replaced. The right rear bearings were also changed that month. On September 14, 2003 the Baby got a new clutch master cylinder and clutch slave cylinder. The latter was really torn up, allowing air into the system and making the clutch pedal fall all the way to the floor in hot weather. Now I could properly shift with the pedal halfway down. The Moose: The 280ZX and the Z31 300ZX seem to have a moaning noise when the car is reversing. You can minimize the moose by buying brake pads properly designed (angled at the corners) for the Z and/or replacing the rear struts. The noise of the moose does not completely go away, though. Julius put new rear pads in November 2003, at which time he and Carlos also replaced the water pump, thermostat, timing belt (showing wear from the pump leak, so why not do it while the cover is open anyway), and radiator cap. Julius also used Toyota sealant (a superior type to those usually used at shops) to close leaks at the radiator cap outlet. We began using Amtecol motor oil in the Z on July 23, 2004 and have periodically added sealants such as Restore engine restorer and Bardahl No-Smoke Plus Stop Leak additive. On July 31, 2004 Julius used three cans of clear coating spray to make the fading paint look better. The Z had rough idling, surging up and down by 300-400 rpm. Carlos diagnosed that the throttle positioning sensor (TPS) had given out. Fortunately, Julius and I found one on a junked '85 at Pick-n-Pull on Monterey Road in San Jose. The replacement TPS gave a much better result. I also remember to add fuel injector cleaner every couple of months. The tires I bought from Firestone on April 26, 2000 hardened and pancaked over the years. When the tread started disappearing and the car losing its handling ability (especially when raining), I knew I had to replace them. Carlos and Julius replaced the rear ones on December 10, 2004 and the front ones on February 24, 2005. My new Futura touring tires made the car very quiet and cushiony. I had a real blast driving on the freeways after picking up the Z on February 24th. The car floats along like a magic carpet, especially on good pavement surfaces. HEATER CORE VALVES: On April 13, 2005 I saw a leak of coolant dripping down the back of the engine. The heater core valve assembly was broken; it would not switch open or closed properly. Because the replacement from Nissan costs as much as $200.00, Carlos rigged metal and rubber tubing to make a direct flow through the heater core. The U-shaped tube in the second picture depicts the replacement fitting. Right after that, I noticed the reservoir was not replenishing the cooling system. Julius siphoned out the reservoir and found a light bulb in the outlet! Was that a brilliant idea? He and I never saw the bulb in there before. But he removed it and the reservoir works fine. On June 10, 2005 my friends installed a manual valve onto the heater core hose. This was a part they just found out that week they could purchase and install. The valve can be opened using a remote cable release strung into the passenger compartment or, as I'm doing in the Z, opening the hood and turning the valve by hand. The "on" position allows the coolant to flow into the heater core so it could blow hot air. "Off" prevents coolant flow into the heater core so cool air blows through the climate control system. Without a valve, hot air was always blowing in when the car moved. SEPTEMBER 2005: The Z was having a hard time starting. It would crank and crank without turning over. My friends did a September 20th fuel injector service with two cans of cleaner, and now the baby runs beautifully. My friend Dave, who owns a 1968 Camaro, replaced his Boss AVA-2825R stereo and gave it to me. Carlos and Julius installed it with new wiring and rear speakers on September 27, 2005. It plays beautifully, and I'm happy to have a good radio/CD player with an auxiliary jack for my MP3 player. NOVEMBER 2005: The cold snap of the first week of November did in my battery. There were not enough cranking amps for the car to start, although I was very lucky that it did start after Julius charged it up. Carlos installed a new CarQuest 72 month battery on the 8th. We got about four years' worth of cranking on the old one. MARCH 2006: Major repairs to the Z. New water pump, fan clutch, and catalytic converter were installed, the throttle positioning sensor cleaned, the timing belt tensioner bearing replaced, timing belt tightened, and the engine flushed and oil changed. (Paint got touched up too.) Once again, it passed the smog test beautifully: at 15 MPH, HC was 20 ppm, CO was 0.03%, and NO was 22 ppm; at 25 MPH, HC was 19 ppm, CO was 0.03%, and NO was 18 ppm. That's with the new California high emitter profile requiring a more stringent "test only" smog check. This is how you keep a car with 275,000 miles going strong, by taking care of the things it needs early on. Also, remember to drive mellow (observe speed limits and don't peel out when your signal is green) and to warm up the car 2-5 minutes when the engine's cold. The picture shows the Z on March 6, 2006 at the new Wal-mart Supercenter in Gilroy. It runs smoothly and quietly. The new water pump and timing belt tensioner bearing will insure another 5-10 years of great service out of my Baby. FALL 2006: The alternator installed when I got the car gave out. Carlos ordered an Autolite brand alternator with a lifetime warranty. Here are pictures of the old and new alternators taken September 9, 2006. Lights got much brighter and the car accelerates better. Coolant was leaving the radiator for the overflow reservoir. When I installed a new radiator cap, the coolant returned. A MAJOR DISCOVERY IN JANUARY 2007: The engine shut off after warming up and would crank, but not start again. A portable emergency coil got my car driven to the shop. Some research into Mitchell On Demand found that the distributor has LED crank angle sensors that become sensitive to heat over time. A replacement distributor from a newer Z got that problem solved. I needed a tuneup at the same time (cap, rotor, and spark plugs). In doing the timing, Carlos learned from Mitchell On Demand that the front pulley, the one with the timing marks, was put on backwards by someone who worked on my car for a previous owner. The Z will time correctly and run fine for a while, but the incorrect positioning of the pulley causes problems on anything the belts drive (distributor, alternator, water pump, power steering pump). He put it back on properly and solved another problem the car has had. The engine no longer farts. With the freezing cold weather of January 2007 in my area, it was especially important to let the car warm up a few minutes before going. I let the needle start rising before pulling out. FEBRUARY 29, 2008: The guys performed an oil change using a quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer and three quarts Amtecol. The Lucas seals the system to improve oil pressure and performance. Then I took the car for the biannual smog test. The Z passed with emissions below the average for cars that passed the test. While the HC and NO have increased since the 2006 test, the previous tuneup saved me money on needing any repairs that would make the car pass. I used some of that money to repair the top two radiator hoses. Julius polished the fittings and applied Toyota sealant before installing new ones. PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION: Lucas Oil Stabilizer is a wonderful engine additive. Not long after the February oil change, I started hearing a knocking sound. The lifters at the top of my engine may need replacement down the road (after all, the engine has 290,000 miles on it). But Julius added a little more Lucas to the crankcase, and the knocking went away. Now as I warm up the engine, I wait for the knocking lifter to get coated and quiet before starting to drive. If you have an older engine, be sure to order yourself the Lucas Oil Stabilizer right away. You will get longer life on your vehicle. Hover your mouse on the bottle at left for the link. NEW SECTION ADDED 05/11/08. AUTO REPAIRS: You'll have to do some research on your own if you want to fix your car. I do not give recommendations on the internet. However, I do advise you to warm up your car a few minutes before taking off. You should also drive mellow and try not to speed or get hyper. These things keep my car lasting longer, and you can get the same results if you take it easier on your own car. And please check the fuel gauge. There are people who get their car towed to the shop when they are out of gas. Check the fluids, too. Some folks don't think oil has to be added or changed. Look at the color of the used oil draining from the Z on August 17, 2007. That's when it has begun losing viscosity and lubricating qualities. And if oil is not checked and added as needed, the engine will soon run dry. Then it won't run at all. SMOG TESTS: It bothers me that folks who move to California keep their vehicles registered in other states. That means you try to cheat the system in avoiding smog tests. One of the responsibilities I am willing to assume in being a Californian is bringing my car in every two years to comply with emissions standards. I spend hard earned money in keeping my car on the road, so I'm glad that law enforcement officials have begun cracking down on out-of-state plates on residents' cars. Keep your car legal in addition to keeping it maintained, and the karma will run good for you. IN MEMORIAM: This page is dedicated to my good friend Mark Michaux (1966-2003), who got me my Z and helped his brothers keep it in great operating condition. Thank you, Mark. OTHER NISSAN Z CARS: A 1988 Z at the shop on December 19, 2005. Two different 280Z cars, one in Sunnyvale on August 7, 2006 and one in Santa Clara on August 8, 2006. A 1985 300ZX in blue sits at the shop awaiting service. It's automatic transmission with a digital dash and 2+2 seating. August 26, 2006. A blue 280Z at Loyola Corners in Los Altos on March 9, 2005. Here's a 240Z in racing livery parked on an auto transport truck in Mountain View on August 10, 2007.



Home \| Rules \| Search \| Links \| Donate \| Bookmark Cafepress Store \| Amazon Store \| JoJo the Clown \| Danny Gatton \| Michaux Automotive

Page created July 11, 2000. Updated May 11, 2008. Š2000-2008 Michael Strauch. All rights reserved. No photograph may be used elsewhere without my permission.

NOW YOU "Z" IT!

HEATER CORE VALVES:

SEPTEMBER 2005:

NOVEMBER 2005:

MARCH 2006:

FALL 2006:

A MAJOR DISCOVERY IN JANUARY 2007:

FEBRUARY 29, 2008:

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION:

AUTO REPAIRS:

SMOG TESTS:

IN MEMORIAM:

OTHER NISSAN Z CARS:

Page created July 11, 2000.
Updated May 11, 2008.
Š2000-2008 Michael Strauch. All rights reserved.
No photograph may be used elsewhere without my permission.