Ok so I was lucky enough to be the lucky buyer of the wide body 300zx recently on eBay. However there is a problem, maybe 2..... So I brought it with the suspicion that the tappets needed replacing however after a 260 mile drive home and starting it the next day the noise had completely cleared and full power seemed to be accessible (when noisy there is a significant loss of power) Later that day i stopped for 5 minutes, started again and to my disappointment the tapping noise had returned withdrawing the power with it.... I believe it had an oil change and treatment within the last month by the previous owner who also posted about this problem but I am now confused as to why it has cleared and come back. It's definitely a ticking noise and gets louder with the revs and definitely affects power... I'm thinking is the timing out or tensioner faulty but the last change was done by Jeff @Z World so doubt any faults there. It's as it the ecu is getting some wrong signals regarding the camshaft. Also with this is that when you accelerate hard and take foot of the car stalls (auto).. All ideas will be much appreciated and also looking for someone local who can carry out any work needed. Thanks guys

Worth having a read of this thread:

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?181507-Lifter-rattle

Worth having a read of this thread:

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?181507-Lifter-rattle

 

That's my car pal. The previous owner put that up but since then its cleared and returned and with it is a loss of power. If it was tappets surely once they're gone they're gone... All rattle noises cleared, power was good than again out of nowhere noise was back with no power...

Be very carefull here mate as the tapping sound you think is lifters could very well be "dett" and the reduced power will be the car going into safe mode. Next time it does this pull over to the kerb and turn engine and ignition off and re-start engine as this will clear the safe mode after every fresh start.iff power is resumed then drive very carfully and take it easy off boost untill you get the car looked at by someone with zed experience.

Be very carefull here mate as the tapping sound you think is lifters could very well be "dett" and the reduced power will be the car going into safe mode. Next time it does this pull over to the kerb and turn engine and ignition off and re-start engine as this will clear the safe mode after every fresh start.iff power is resumed then drive very carfully and take it easy off boost untill you get the car looked at by someone with zed experience.

 

Thanks for the input mate. What do you mean by "dett"? Also I've just stripped down all timing to find the belt had a little more play in it than I would have liked. Also found that the tensioner does not retract hence why there is slack in the belt I'm guessing so now trying to get hold of a tensioner. I'm hoping it could just be this but will see once all is put back together.. And in regards to what you said, if I pull over, switch off and back on the noise will still be there so is this any good? Thanks again

Dett = detonation and i guess if the belts slack and may have slipped a couple a couple of teeth, the timing may be out, causing loss of power and detonation/pinking. Dont drive it anymore till you get it checked :thumbup1: