Me and my worst half used to have a 1990 Auto - had 2 lucky years with it but it got stolen. We have shopped around and found a gorgeous looking 1990 manual - leather, new alloys, in Scotland. Guy has had it for 2yrs from an import Co and is selling for a Fireblade. A 40 something guy who did no more than 2,000 miles - (done 42,000). Once we came down to earth, noticed a minor oil leak, old oil, but couldnt locate. He wanted £5,500, bought it for £8k, we knocked him down to £5,200. We felt that on the whole it seems like a good car - immaculate interior and body, and with a cam belt change and a check over for the oil leak, we should have a nice car for the money. But I'm worried about the oil - any ideas? It makes a very strange sound when it pulls away, not loud, could they be connected? Its not a tapping sound.

 

Finally anyone know any specialists in the north who could look at it.

 

Di & Mark

Welcome to the forum Di & mark. You couldn't have asked the question anywhere better!!

 

Is this strange sound more of a 'whurr' which increases with road speed, or one which increases with engine RPM??

 

------------------

Simon

Hi Diane,

 

Hiteq, located in Wigan and the number etc. is in the contacts section.

 

Hope you get it sorted, don't go to a Nissan Main dealer whatever you do!

 

 

Well, hubby has a thought that its the tappets (is this spelt right??). Increases with speed. Not dramatic sounding though. I mean if it is, is it an expensive job??

 

 

Thanks guys - I've been reading this site for the last 2 days and its great - very reasurring to have people like you lot around.

 

I'm addicted to reading all your comments.

 

I know i've had a Z before but its always a strange feeling getting a new one when your not an expert - dont know what your buying. But, my gut feelings have always been right and apart from the oil, this cars looks like its been looked after.

 

Di

 

 

 

 

If its the hydraulic valve lifters (300's dont have tappets, since we have over head cams (OHC), OHV engines usually have tappets), then an oil change should decrease any tapping noise. However, you mention in your first mail, that its NOT a tapping noise.

 

If you describe the noise it would be easier to diagnose. A 'whurr'ing could just be a knackered peripheral bearing (Air con compressor / alternator / idler pulley, etc), in which case a belt change would identify what is at fault - unless the CAM belt has been done up too tight). I could go on..but, because there are so many things that can result in a noisy engine, I'll wait until you describe the noise, and under which conditions it changes or becomes louder / quieter etc

 

Cheers

 

------------------

Simon

Oil leak = low oil, which means not enough moving around the engine, which means metal on metal..not good at all.

 

I have to buy some oil today as I am due for a top up as I think I have burnt alot of oil making long trips down south.

 

I have a slight tapping noise which seems louder in the car than out of it! (or could that be something else?)

 

If the extra oil doesn't work on mine (I have checked the level and it is a bit low, I have no leaks tho')

 

BTW, welcome to the forum!!

 

Matty.

 

------------------

 

Bounce...Bounce...Bounce...Bounce...Bounce...Bounce...Bounce... (sorry no sound!) LOL

Welcome to the forum Diane.

 

It may be worth you checking out the main page of the uk 300zx web site as this has a buying guide with a number of things to look out for (if you have not already done this that is!!!). May be a good idea to go to a garage and get it up on some ramps. It is very difficult to identify oil leaks from the top of these engines (compact isn't the word!!!). My Zed makes a slight tapping noise on start up but goes after a bit of driving and it is warmed up. Is this noise consitent even after the car has been driven for a while???. I would treat it to an oil and filter change for starters.

 

Good luck with your new car!!!

 

Seez ya!!!

 

Simon H

Well, I consider myself told off as Mark says it is a tapping noise, so I will stand corrected!! Increases with speed and then dies off as oil pressure changes.

 

So hydraulic valve lifters sounds possible I suppose. Are we talking major?

 

Also there are different service levels - what should we be going for?

 

Just been told £1900 insurance - but I think itll be worth it!

Bl00dy hell thats more than my insurance! (at 23 with 4yrs ncb near London!)

 

Lifters - try an oil change first (decent fully synth, my fave is Redline 15W50 or Mobil1 Motorsport 15W50. Some (H Le Hir and others) prefer a 0W40 weight oil - you might be OK with you car, some cars it's a little too thin and tends to slip past turbo seals.

 

If you still have the ticking, try half a cup of ATF in the oil. Often shuts them up so I am told (credit goes to Maciej for that one.. Or was it Eric.. D'oh I can't remember!).

Cheers.

 

Insurance - whos your through?

 

Di

Bell Direct - same as Ajay

 

23, male, 4yrs NCB, near London (SL1 postcode - baaad crime area!)

 

They'll only take 3 mods maximum though (for men, at least).. But friendly staff, and helpful too.

They wanted £2,500 this morning!!!! My area isnt bad, said it was the lack of bonus and the mods, but I have alloys, exhaust and an air/fuel mixer, not that bad I thought!! 32yrs so its not my age!

 

It'll be the a/f mixer that puts it up.. Bell Direct are very hard on mods.. I think every mod is something stupid like a 25% loading (at least it was for me - interior.. yeah that'll be £190 extra sir!)..

Try:

Footman James

 

I'm 33, J'spec '90 TT = £850

 

Good luck

 

Tim

 

[This message has been edited by TT Tim (edited 20-11-2001).]

 

[This message has been edited by TT Tim (edited 20-11-2001).]

Anyone any advice on this before I sign off for a while?

 

Cost of sorting out hydraulic valve lifters and recommendations on the level of service (besides a new cam belt) for a newly owned import???

 

Di

Anyone any advice on this before I sign off for a while?

 

Cost of sorting out hydraulic valve lifters and recommendations on the level of service (besides a new cam belt) for a newly owned import???

 

Di

Just stick with a basic service - oil, oil filter, air filters. Personally I'd do plugs and fuel filter too. Not a hard job.

 

Depending on age/mileage (on a 1990 I'd do this) cambelt, maybe full 60k kit (water pump also in this kit).

 

Oil change may well sort out your lifters, failing that try the ATF. failing that, if it really annoys you the only option is cam covers off, cams off, lifters out and replaced.. Which is expensive!

Tim

 

They just quoted £2,200 but thanks! My birthday today but it just isnt a lucky day for me!!!

 

Di

 

Hi Diane,

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

I've been reading your posts (and their subsequent replies) and think that your best bet is to have the oil/filter changed, new air filter(s) - if you have a standard filter fitted), 60k miles service (i.e., belts & water pump). It will probably save you a lot of money in the long run if you do these all at once. The 60k service will probably cost you between £260 and £320 pounds, oil change (incl. filter) can be had for around £40 and the air filters will cost you about £35. I see that you're located in Manchester. I'm in Birmingham and if you guys fancy a trip down I could probably get you sorted with all the above. Just a thought. Let me know and good luck.

 

Cheers

 

Danny

Diane - you're in Westhoughton right?? If you want me to have a look at your car and give it a basic service I don't mind at all - I live about 20miles from you so it aint too far at all. Let me know what you want doing and I'll tell you if I can do it.....

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Insurance outrageous...

 

32...4 years no claims £750...Norwich Union..and thats insured in Leigh!!!!

 

Give them a shout

 

visit http://www.grasshopperprosport.co.uk/index.html

 

thats johnny..he will check your car over..cannot praise this guy enough..based in Leigh up near Penington Flash..

 

Regardz