RobHowl

Off to bodyshop!

So I’ve got another thread running to try and find a solution but I started the car yesterday, first time for probably about 4-6 weeks. Started fine, seemed to have a misfire on the drivers side bank. This did seem to clear after a while of running so may have needed to clear its throat. Had a lot of condensation out the exhaust which got more as it warmed up. Started to smell a burning smell and a bit of white smoke mixed in with the condensation. Noticed oil in the water that was dripping out of the exhaust pipes. Goes in bodyshop tomorrow till probably after Xmas so won’t be able to resolve and most likely out of my skill set anyway

It’s not got an MOT so was just giving it a run up to temp. Can’t go for a drive in it yet. Definitely part of it was condensation as the exhaust tips were dripping water and it dispersed in the air very quickly. But there was a burning smell so some of it must have been smoke and then I noticed the oily water on the floor after probably 10-15 mins

Job for tomorrow then. Thanks mate, wish me luck

That sounds cheaper, I’ll start with that! 😂

Started the car up today, first time in about 6 weeks. Pretty sure it was misfiring to start with and produced a lot of condensation and smoke when it warmed up. This carried on while it was running. Smelt a bit burnt as well. And while running I noticed oil out the back of the exhaust on the floor (see photo) The previous owner told me he thought the turbo rings needed attention as it would smoke occasionally. This time it smoked the whole time it was run after it started to warm up. What are we thinking? Turbo seals? Piston rings? Or something like that?

Booked in to the body shop on 8th December. Going to have the rear sills sorted and repaired, rear quarters sprayed and a new spoiler fitting. Also having the rear wiper removed and the lid resprayed too. Once it’s back I can begin the process of rust removal and treatment for the rear subframe, suspension and brake components and the same at the front. Will have new pads and discs all round and I’ll look to see what else needs replacing while I’m under there!

Sorry mate it’s long gone. I messaged the bloke I sold it too as I know he also took it off at some point but he has sold it on already

A couple of others that didn’t upload

So I’ve got a couple of body shops coming to quote for the rust and then I’m going to tackle the subframe and clean it up. It’s primarily surface rust but looks tatty. The car is on about 76k miles. Starts on the button and sounds smooth with a deep exhaust note, which is great! The car seems to have lived in Essex and Kent only, and has had just 4 owners before me. I’ve got a good history with the car, including a receipt when it was sold in the late 90’s for £15,000! I changed the battery in the fob and the remote central locking works too! Another win! The interior is really clean and in fantastic condition. I have the straps and bags for the targa tops and the tool kit is all present and in very good condition. Dials all works, everything inside seems to work (controls and all that!) but AC doesn’t. I’ll take it and have it checked for leaks and try and re-gas but that’s way down the line! The clock even works! I’m very happy about that! 😂 I have no idea about seals for the targa too and windows but they all look quite healthy. Scuttle tray is good, engine bay looks good and standard, nothing standing out as an issue! It does have xenon’s retro fitted which I’ll remove. So on to the not so good stuff and the first things on my list to fix Rust. Body shop will tackle the sills. Rears need totally doing and fronts need rubbing back and spraying before they get any worse but are currently ok. Rear arches also need a rub back and a paint but look intact! Service. It badly needs a new belt service so I’ll get a 60k done when the rust has been dealt with. There’s one body shop close by with a good garage who will tackle that for me at the same time so it’ll save me trailering it about! Brakes. Needs new pads and discs all round but that’s not surprise. Gearbox. Is a bit noisy in neutral so I’m hoping this is simply a clutch release bearing but I’ll give it a service and see how it goes. It drive really well, clutch is nice, gearbox is smooth and not crunchy, easy to change gears too so I’m happy it’s quite healthy. The bodywork in general looks really good for its age. I think it may have had a sprayed boot lid at some point but all in all it looks good! I’ve got a spoiler to fit and I’ll get the body shop to do that when they are doing the rust repair. Can’t wait to get it on the road!

No they are in Japan but the website is in English, easy to understand and the shipping costs are decent too. Doesn’t normally take long to get the parts. I bought a brand new black 300zx ignition key from there for about £18

Amayama trading is an excellent place for Nissan parts. They are all reasonably priced and you can find lots of bits. I got Nissan headlight surrounds for about £20 each. I’m going through the same thing!

Thanks Rich, are you using M-Tech currently?

Any recommendations for a decent set of discs and pads to fit a standard TT caliper? Just a street set, don’t need track pads or anything. Would like a grooved set. Looking for any decent retailers people use for these bits? Thanks

Thanks Andrew, PM sent!

I knew it wouldn’t be easy but was hoping there would be someone out there looking for a quick and easy sale! I’m very happy with it, needs some work and some money spent but will be a cracking car when it’s squared away! A keeper!

In summer 2024 I sold my black TT import that I had put a lot of time and money in to but never really clicked with it. I was expecting to go off and find another car and have fun working on. But I couldn’t shake the 300ZX bug. I don’t think there’s another car out there with as much bang for the buck and you just don’t see them around anymore. So I started looking for a new one. I knew my budget wouldn’t stretch that far so was looking for a project of sorts, but not one that was too far gone. A lot of the cars I was looking at were too expensive or too far gone. While putting the feelers out, I got a message from John who had a white, UK Twin Turbo sat in his garage that had been off the road for a while. One evening a few weeks back I went down to view it, it was about 2 hours from where I live and if I’m honest I thought it could be an option but had another one lined up to view a few days later as I was concerned about how rough it would be. So, turned on the sellers driveway and it was sat in the garage and looked way better than I expected! It’s not perfect but is a really honest, genuine car. Only 4 owners, has been owned by the current one since 2011 and has barely covered 15k miles since 2004. Started up on the money, ran smoother than my old one and I was sold! It has no MOT, needs some TLC and maintenance but I’m very excited to own another one and bring this one back to life! It arrives tomorrow on a truck, I’ll post more photos, give some more info about it and go over my plans for the car. I’ll use this as a blog to show progress. 😁😁😁

That is very cool! Tre Bien!

I’ve used Amayama for loads of parts, always good service and prices too

Thanks mate, but I’m after a Z32

Send me a message whenever you want to chat about it mate. Any photos would be great

My mobile edited

Hi Stephen, Thanks for the message. Could I grab a phone number to message you? Always easier than on a forum! Looking at your build thread though, I think yours will be out of my budget. thanks Rob

I’m looking for a red, manual, twin turbo if anyone is selling. Don’t mind a project or something that’s been sat for a while. I sold my old one last year and regretted it and want to get another one, but this time a red one. This will be a keep that I’ll build over time so happy to look at projects etc etc. Don’t mind if it’s UK or JDM. If you have anything that fits the bill, or maybe know someone who’s thinking of selling up, please get in touch.

Now that’s the question! Budget is probably a project if I’m honest, I could wait a bit and save some more cash. I guess I’m hoping there’s a bargain out there somewhere if I look hard enough! I think I’ll aim for MOT’d, running and driving but in need of TLC