G'day guys; My Z is currently difficult to start, you need to click it over for at least 5 seconds per time over a period of 3 attempted starts to get it going, i was told this might be a PTU issue as i've only got a series one. The car generally has a rough idle aswell, would the AAC valve & the assumed failing PTU be the cause for these symptoms? Cheers
You sure you haven't dropped a cylinder? Could just as easily be that... bumped any connectors lately? MoulaZX
check all your connectors, maybe tighten the pins if need be/replace connectors, then once you eliminate those as the problem start looking at your PTU etc.. go di dont know why any one keeps the S1 ptu any more.... more than enough S2's for sale around...
Cheers guys; I'll have a look tommorow, the only reason it has a S1 PTU is that it's how i purchased it, i will be upgrading soon however.
It's only a matter of time before it fails, changing out the S1 ptu is preventative maintenance, amongst lots of other things that should be done when you first get a Z, I think a lot of the problems that especially new Z owners have, seem to be the result of a distinct lack of said maintenance.
Commom problems you have there almost always the culprits are dirty electrical connectors and base idle/ TPS out of adjustment. Don't panic yet. usually a very cheap, easy fix. My motto- always start with the simplest, easiest, cheapest causes first. 90 of my work is electrical connector related fixes- almost always its a combination of these problems. We had one yesterday at the tech day. A dirty coolant temp sensor wiring plug, an intermittent det sensor error code and a loose battery terminal. easy fixed!
As I understand it though, they fail due to age and heat. Well mine I would imagine is pushing 20 years now and I've personally had it for 2 of those and taken through 2 ridiculously hot Sydney summers and never once has it caused an issue. I know they're prone to fail, just saying I found it odd seeing as so many others had their S1 PTUs die so quickly after purchasing their Zed and mine has yet to give a single hiccup. Nevertheless, when the engine comes out shortly, have a pretty decent list of all this little things I've been meaning to take care of. :zlove: MoulaZX
Yeah, mine went within 5,000km after buying the Z, and the afm a bit later, just general stuff, other than that the motor runs like a dream.
Also check that the fuel damper is not leaking petrol into the balance pipe through the vacuum port. This can also cause hard starting and rough idle. Often overlooked as most of the time it will be electrical connectors, but put it on the "to-do" list if electrical connectors do not resolve the issue.
No worries mate, I had these exact symptoms a while back, took it to a specialist Z mechanic and he determined that I had the wrong type of plugs in, and low fuel pressure was making the car very hard to start, taking 2-3 cranks of the motor and when it was running, it was misfiring/popping at idle every so often. My idle was going up and down and fuel pressure was raising and falling. Food for thought anyway.