Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and very new to the world of import cars. I just bought my first ZX yesterday, a 1989 Black V6 3L NA 300ZX. I got it kind of out of nowhere, found it locally, went to see it, both me and the wife liked it, so I got it. Got a few issues with it though that I knew when I was getting it. It has no rego, just ran out on the 22nd of Dec, but can't get it re-registered anytime soon because the previous owner cut the springs on it for the lowered look, but along with that came the worst ride too. So I've got to get some new king springs for it. Also, the car has an oil cooler in the front, so that hangs down a little past the license plate, but the previous owner also cut part of the front lip so it is quite exposed. Worried... The interior is ok, but there are some holes in the interior ceiling and passenger sides on the inside because they had some downlights and stuff in there. No idea why. But they took the lights and left the holes... Lol! Tried playing around with the car last night, and one of the headlights seems to be on its way out. It comes on sometimes, but if it doesn't, just tap the lamp and it should come on. It has a rear conversion, so the back lights look like that of a skyline, with the round lights, but when I start the car up, it tells me there is a lights problem, but when I check, it seems fine. Also, the boot and petrol door don't open easily. I have to keep the lever pulled up while I open the boot for it to open. Haven't tried it with the petrol door yet, but I will have to soon if I plan to drive the car sometime. There are no sunshades for the roof which sucks because the sun comes right through, so I'll have to do something about that, maybe get a really good tint. Don't feel like getting skin cancer or boiling in the car. The paint work is ok, quite alot of scratches, but I can live with that. The clear coat is peeling off the bonnet, so was wondering if I should try to find a black bonnet from the wreckers, or paint it. If I painted the bonnet, it would look weird against the rest of the car I'm thinking, since the rest of the paint work isn't amazing. Thats about it for now I guess. The engine seems fine, haven't tested it too much coz I can't without rego, and gearbox seems a little jumpy but the dude said it would be because of not having springs in the back so when the car gets into gear form Park or Reverse, there is a little bump, but not while moving through the gears. Any advice would be great, as I was originally a Holden man, so totally new to the world of Jap Imports, and not sure what to do. Thanks in advanced
Good day, mate! Seems like you're near my place. I'd be happy to pay you a visit when I'm free and help you with some of the issues. I'm not the best mechanic but I've got a big heart (wallet's empty though)... Hand me your contact number and I'll keep in touch... Cheers, Arvin
Welcome to the forum. Post in wanted section for any parts you need - springs - bonnet - targa shades e.c.t. Your light playing up just might be a loose connection ?. Pull the boot lever then go and lift the boot up , push the same lever down to open the fuel cover , they are operated by cables. The light warning light on the dash is comming on because you have a different rear light set up. There is a little black box in the rear behind the trim that lets you know if a globe blows but also if a different light set up is installed can trip it. There is a mod/fix in the tech section ( use the search function ) o.h a lot of people dislike those lights so get use to the stirring l.o.l . The oil coiler might actually be for the motor not the trani also as some have motor oil coolers. Cheers Dave O.h also put in your signature what state you live in as you may be close to help.
Had same Boot aka hatch problem on my NA It had the same prob on my old NA hatch not opening when released and it ended up being the rubber bump stops on the rear corners of the boot. Mine had worn down (Rear hatch is quite heavy) and because the boot was now sitting lower than usual the release hook was not fully letting go. I replaced them (X2) with Nissan OEM (about $ 8 each I think ) and problem solved because boot (aka hatch) was now at the correct hight and release hook could let go and easy to lift. Hope this helps. Cheers, Pete
Welcome to the forum. You'll find a fantastic group of guys and gals here with tons of helpful info. It's an insane ride doing up a Zed, but well worth it. Would advise getting the rego done asap as blue slip might prove costly (if any other mods) to get it passed. Regards Graham
Thanks alot mate, great talking to you. Didn't know people on here were so friendly and willing to help. Should have gotten a Z a long time ago... Lol!
Thanks for the advice mate. Yeah I tried everything you said last night, but it didn't help. I eventually had to use the seatbelt to hold the lever up and then open the boot. Will have to look into what Cool300ZX said about the rubber bump stops. Its not a problem yet, since there is just a bunch of speakers and a sub in the boot at the moment, but hope I can get the petrol door open sometime... car is running pretty low. Lol! pennyarvs said he will come check the car out sometime when he is free, nice guy, so maybe he can let us know if it is a tranmission oil cooler or if its for the motor. All good... just hope it doesn't get hit from being exposed like it is. Thanks for all the advice and help. I am finding it so hard to believe everyone on here is so friendly and willing to help
Thanks Pete, will give it a go. Maybe if the ride height changes, it might help the boot, but if its only $8 each for the bump stops, I might just do that anyway, but one stupid question, where do I get OEM Nissan parts from?
Thanks mate, you are so right, awesome group of ppl here. I can see its like joining a family when you buy a Z... just wish mine was a TT, but my NA should be a good start.. Lol! I'm sure the ride will be awesome and I really enjoy doing up cars, just got to make sure I have the funds for everything I want to do.. Lol! Good idea getting the rego done... there aren't any mods yet, I don't think so anyway, but I have till March to get the rego without needing a blueslip for it, so I will start saving now...
Welcome to the world of the poor! That's one thing we all have in common. They're a great car but you have to get the maintence up to scratch. Especially the 100k service. One broken belt and your up for a new motor. Can you find out if a major service has been done?
NA's are fine. TT's can get you in more trouble (traffic fines), not to mention if you like the boot then costly at the pumps. I have a mate who owns a TT and he says the more you push the accelerator the quicker the fuel guage goes down. I'm getting 500kms to a tank, and thats with the occasional squirt. Just had a dyno run and surprised me at 185 kph with 5th gear to go. So NA's can be just as much fun. re OEM parts: going to the local nissan dealer usually get $300 just to walk up to the counter then they ask what do you require? Do a lot of browsing here as there are quite a few suppliers that have parts, or can point you in the right direction. There are also a number of people parting out cars. you can get some good bargins. Ebay, here and overseas, just be careful and do your homework. Watch the postage costs from overseas.
Ha! Thanks alot for that. I can tell the car is quite fast, faster than my Commodore used to be. Lol! I don't know if it has had a service yet, but its done 167,000km, so I'm hoping it has... I don't think the guy has given any service records, so thats a bit of a worry, but I'll take it to a mech sometime and get it checked out, or if pennyarvs know anything, he can check it out when he comes around, so all good. Thanks for all the help again, I know doing this car up will be fun, and with all the help from all the great ppl on here, it will be an awesome process
with your boot. Is there play in the hatch lid itself? As in, have the boot closed, go to the rear of the car and try to "jiggle" the hatch. If there is play in it, even 10mm or so, it will be the cause of your hatch release issues, and give you a nice annoying rattle from the rear of the car while driving. Pop the hatch and remove the rear centre plastic. There will be 2 plastic headed screws that you can undo by hand and 2 x 6mm (10mm socket) nuts under the carpet. With that panel removed, you will be able to see the bolts that hold the latch to the body. Recall they're a 12mm socket, maybe 10mm. Loosen them and push the latch mechanism to its lowest setting. Tighten bolts and close latch. If it doesnt latch, lift the hatch again, loosen the bolts and raise the latch mechanism a flysh$t. Repeat process until it clicks into position and doesnt "jiggle" any more, try operating from the release handle in the car. Then re-assemble the plastic trim piece.
Hi, you are right. There is a little play with the hatch when it is closed. I'll try to undo the screws & play with the locking mechanism to see if I can make it work. still wondering about the petrol door too but will look into that in time. Thanks again
theres 3 bolts holding the latch mechanism, adjust either up or down to fix the boot release issue. stock targas are already tinted from factory, go get some shades. infact im selling a pair
Cool. I might try that later. Its a little too hot now in my garage. Lol! Yeah the targa is tinted, but it may not be enough. We'll see. I think a shade would be good to have though. Yeah I think I say you selling some shades but I'm in sydney so wasn't sure about shipping, but thanks. Pm me if u wish to sell them to me sometime. A little low on cash now but should be better next month. Lol!
Tried fixing the boot latch, and the issue is the mechanism itself seems like its rusted, its not as free moving as it should be, so I might have to get some degreaser like WD-40 and see if that helps. I managed to get the petrol door open, but only once, I tried it again by pushing the level down as far as it could do and it wouldn't open, so that might be an issue for me to look into also. All these things even before I look into the engine. By the way, can the idling revs be adjusted? I just started it for a while just now and in Park, it is idling at a little over 1000 revs... thinking thats a little high... Also, very very stupid question... where is the aerial for the radio? I can't find one on my car... Lol!
Well I was going to come along and post a few tips about the things I know, but after reading the replies most of it's been covered however... Bad idea most people say. The targas are made from a special type of glass or something which flexes in the heat, and tinting them can lead to them cracking. You'll find that shades do great They can, but a high or rough idle can be a number of different issues (I'm sorting through one now, and have narrowed it down to dodgey O2 sensors and/or dirty throttle bodies). In the Tech Section, do a search. You'll find the funky idle article easily a la Chrispy... If it's a true Zed, the aerial won't work. Heh. also... :worthless: ps - though I won't know as much as most, I'd be happy to drop in whenever Pennyarvis is for another set of hands/second opinions. What you really need is a Conzult - do you have a laptop? if so, you can get a special cable which allows you to hook up your Zed for live readouts and diagnostics for issues. Nissan's little presents to help us spend all our money fixing their cars :zlove:
Hi there, thanks for the advice too... I need as much as I can get. Ok then, so no tinting the roof, sweet, but I think I do need a shade... the sun is insanely strong out west... Well it was idling well last night and when I first saw it, so it might just be something small.. but we'll see... I got to get it serviced sometime too... eventually... Cool... once the sun goes down a little I'll venture outside again to check out the aerial... Quite sure it doesn't work, so I must have a a true Zed... lol Sure, I'll get some pics on here sometime... would be good to have some before and after pics... When pennyarvs is coming down, you are more than welcome to come too... I'm cool with it and yes, the more advice and opinions the better... I do have a laptop, but where do I get the cable from? Sounds interesting.. I'm in Kingswood by the way, what about you? Which part of Sydney are you from? Just wondering, if coming all the way here might be too far for you...
NOT suspension bump stops but actual hatch ones Happy to chip in my 2bobs worth I'm unsure if you are referring to the Bump stops for the ride height (suspension bump stops) The bump stops I'm referring to are the 2 small round rubber stops that sit under the far rear corners of the hatch top. When you lift the hatch look up UNDER the hatch and on each rear corner of the hatch are 2 rubber stops. When these wear down the hatch sits lower hence, the release hook does not unlatch properly. You can tell if they are worn because on the very bottom of the rubber stops should be a 3mm or so rubber extension. If your 'hatch bump stops" are totally flat or don't have at least 3mm or so piece of rubber protuding they will need replacing. Hope this serves you well...and yes, the forum members here are brilliant. I did not discover this forum untill about a year after I bought my Zed. So far the form members have given me loads of great advice (the right advice) such as, my 100k service, boost gauge install, clutch advice, general maintenance advice and my plenum pull advice that I'm starting tomorrow. Pieces of advice: Get the forum CD for the little amount of money it cost it's well worth it and supports the forum Don't take things said on the forum personally, most people really do mean well. SEARCH is your friend and then ask questions because your a newbie you can only get so far before being flamed for not searching (you have 9 lives use them well lol) The 300Zx is truly a magic piece of motoring that will serve you well and give you and your family years of motoring enjoyment as long as you service and maintain it well. Cheers, Pete
