Hi all, I'm currently in the progress of a PP. There are a few reasons why, it is mainly because I have been a bloody idiot and I've neglected the Z for too long, and trust me I'm pissed off at myself for not paying more attention to it a while ago. Small problems eventually became bigger problems, she is still drivable but it pains me to actually drive it because I know in it's current condition the damage is getting greater, so I stopped driving it for a while. It's been damn 6 months and I've just decided to get off my arse and do something. Ok, here are the little issues I'd like to get addressed during a plenum pull: - a fair bit of vacuum leak (discovered this since the last meet I attended) fix: replace as many vacuum hoses as I can (already have some silicone hoses ready to go) - identify (hopefully) the source of my oil leak. I'd park my car after normal driving and find it'd leak about 25-50ml of oil. at the same time, my oil would get pretty dirty quickly, and occasionally, I would discover oil smoke (burning oil) behind the engine, between the engine and firewall, just burning away. Both these things obviously lead to a few things which lead me to stop driving for a while, things such as power loss, ticking in the engine, and obviosly damage to the engine. Apart from hopefully addressing these issues, I intend on doing the coolent bypass, EGR removal, and some generic checks and cleanup, and hopefully polish the plenum a little. :zlove: Considering I am not very profficient with automotive mechanics I expected to encounter some troubles during a plenum pull. This is the guide that I am following: http://www.pexcom.com.au/z32cms/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.458 Anyway the pics: Embarassed at not being able to find it, until I tore off some glued rubber stuff that was covering the entire area. Removing the fuel filter. Covering the fuel hoses. Paranoid at removing some hoses, I marked them individually with electrical type as I removed them and marking them along the way, numerically. Not sure if I've done the throttle cable correctly, but it's out of the way for now. I cut two hoses that I could not see myself removing sensibly, this is one of them: Progress I think... Obviously this connector needs replacing. The other hose I cut, I have a feeling now I didnt even need to touch that....LOL These next pics are what I've found to be interesting, if anyone can tell me whether these are the sources of my oil leak and that if it can easily be rectified I'd be very happy. Just as a note, the oil leak I've had exits the bottom of the car right at the front of the sump, I've had a look underneath the car and can confirm that it is not coming from the rear-main seal as the leak starts way up. The leak is obviously coming from up top, reaching the exhaust side of the turbos, causing the smoke once in a while. Anyway here are the pics. This one is at the driver side plenum, at the PCV, please note the car hasn't been drivin in 6 months (exept I gave it a run in a week ago) and that the oil is still quite strong. Also, the PCV hose clamp is so loose I could easily rotate the clamp with my fingers. This is not too far off from the previous picture, it's right behind the plenum on the driver's side. Another location, right next to the pic above, this time right behind the plenum on the passenger side: Apart from that, I'm having big dramas unbolding/unclamping the hoses at the passenger side, ie: PCV, hose clamp under throttle body, water bypass bracket, EGR bolts, and plenum bolts. On the driver side, I'm only having difficulties with the turbo water hose, and bolts for the EGR tube. I've started this late last week, been putting time after work and doing my best to do what I can. Anyway, I would appreciate some help with the areas with oil leaks, perhaps when I finally get the plenum out the source of the leak may unravel.
hard to tell... from the pics, but it seems you have a substantial oil leak from the VVT solenoid at the back of the motor.... They commonly little leak as the little half moon seal deteriorates.... Once the plenum off you should be able to find the leak, but I would say that you will need to re-seal the cam covers and possibly replace the PCV valves and clamps. Cheers
Disconnect your battery Before you go any further, eliminates the chance of shorting something out. Oil leaks are as Jedi says, VVT solinoids on the inlet cam covers and pcv valves, half moon rubber seals are on the exhaust cam covers, not shown. Wouldn't be cutting any more hoses, just making a lot of extra work for youself. Pictures you have taken will help when your putting it back together.
that is a very very dusty engine bay lol. once you pull the PP off i would stronly suggest replacing the half moon seals and all 4 cam cover gaskets.
cheers fellas. I'll definitely disconnect the battery, it's dead anyway and most definitely check the VVT solenoids. Yeah I'd love a garage right now, I'd probably get more done, currently its just in the shed, having to put take tools out and put them away each time :S she wont be dusty when I'm done :zlove:
second the vvt leak One of mine had a tiny leak, I also had another leak from a rocker cover - It's amazing how much worse an oil leak can appear just from the dirt etc it collects, but any leak is an issue. You should be able to seal it properly once everything is out. If it looks as though there is no leak, re-seal everything anyway while you can.
just a quick question after being inspired by DUB's ride ( http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270165 ), I've decided to just keep my zed offline for a while to slowly get it to a state according to my preference. Since I'm no means rich, I've decided to just buy parts as I save over time. I don't mind driving my 2nd car which only cost me $40 of fuel per 480km of driving for a while and I think overtime it will be a great learning experience for me. I've finally been able to remove the plenum (amazed I was able to do it) along with snapping the ignition coils off, LOL, and I really feel I can go further. I'd love to go further. So my question, is it possible to pull the engine out while it's still in the bay by removing the heads? I've got plans overtime for the engine which will be done professionally. thanks!
i have just completed what your doing.. i pulled the plenum off and replaced all the pcv hoses and removed the rocker covers and cleaned them all up and put them back in with a new seal.. (ensure you use a liquid gasket and a rubber gasket to save you pulling it back appart agin lol like i did) i now have a leaking sump pan too.. so it's move oil for me.. i'm getting covered in it!
damn... thats a pain, because to repair a leaking sump pan you have to take the old sump off.... which means either engine out, or removal of the crossmember and drive components, while supporting the engine from up above with a crane of sorts..... bugger.... I had mine replaced start of last year, and my mechanic went the remove crossmember approach.... Cheers
have you thought about cleaning the engine with steam and then you might be able to see where the leaks are better? helped on some cases ive had with other cars?
bad luck dude, thanks heaps for the tip i'll make sure to remember that. haven't finished the job yet, still there collecting dust. on the good side, i can start work again as my engine crane and engine stand just arrived today at work so time to get things moving again, slowly but surely...
