This video genuinely just saved my ass. I bought a $200 Z31 off my neighbor that had sat for 15 years or so. Over the course of a couple years now I’ve been working on it and bringing it back from the dead. I’ve poured through everything. Fuel system, vacuum lines, engine and trans leaks, even just did a timing belt and got my timing set straight again. After all that over the course of about two years she still didn’t wanna run right. Then not even two days ago I come across this video and give the penny trick a try and adjust my little screw. She now runs like a dream. Idles at about 900, doesn’t sputter and stall anymore, doesn’t die when I put her in gear, she sounds great and she drives wonderfully. I’m sure it’s a combination of all I’ve done already and this but to me this seemed to be the big difference. Thank you for this video. You saved my cars ass.
That part is called a 'Dashpot' and they are the source of many a 280z/280zx owners frustrations lol. It's easy to want to blame the AFM or something since they are way more finicky than a MAF system. Dashpots are very important to have set correctly when using oem throttle bodies
thanks, I missed how that bottom screw is adjusted? Hmm how does that shim affect the TPS on the throttle body? Seems like that shim will make it not sense throttle position correctly? I have stock (not deleted) but still seem to have idle miss and low idle below the 700 or 800 you mentioned. I have a factory service guide, I will see what it is suppose to be for z31.
On my 86 non turbo it’s got a slit on the bottom. I suppose you’d have to disassemble most of the sh!t on the Tb to have access to it. I would use a thermostat screwdriver as they’re very slim and you might have enough wiggle room to try and fight it with everything still attached.
This video genuinely just saved my ass. I bought a $200 Z31 off my neighbor that had sat for 15 years or so. Over the course of a couple years now I’ve been working on it and bringing it back from the dead. I’ve poured through everything. Fuel system, vacuum lines, engine and trans leaks, even just did a timing belt and got my timing set straight again. After all that over the course of about two years she still didn’t wanna run right. Then not even two days ago I come across this video and give the penny trick a try and adjust my little screw. She now runs like a dream. Idles at about 900, doesn’t sputter and stall anymore, doesn’t die when I put her in gear, she sounds great and she drives wonderfully. I’m sure it’s a combination of all I’ve done already and this but to me this seemed to be the big difference. Thank you for this video. You saved my cars ass.
We’re really glad you could find this video and help fix your Z! Thank you for taking the time to tell us your story, and to chat about your Z!
That part is called a 'Dashpot' and they are the source of many a 280z/280zx owners frustrations lol. It's easy to want to blame the AFM or something since they are way more finicky than a MAF system. Dashpots are very important to have set correctly when using oem throttle bodies
Haha thanks for letting us know!
That’s a great fix!
It was easy and fast!
In the video you can also see a 3mm vacuum line under the throttle body still disconnected.
Thanks! We sold the car but we might get another!
thanks, I missed how that bottom screw is adjusted? Hmm how does that shim affect the TPS on the throttle body? Seems like that shim will make it not sense throttle position correctly? I have stock (not deleted) but still seem to have idle miss and low idle below the 700 or 800 you mentioned. I have a factory service guide, I will see what it is suppose to be for z31.
On my 86 non turbo it’s got a slit on the bottom. I suppose you’d have to disassemble most of the sh!t on the Tb to have access to it. I would use a thermostat screwdriver as they’re very slim and you might have enough wiggle room to try and fight it with everything still attached.
you can turn that idle screw up very small wrench is needed make a vid of you driving the z after change is done
We changed the idle screw and it idles about 900-1000 rpm, we will make a video of it driving asap
That seems way too simple!
We were surprised it was so easy!
Are you going to try to turn that idle screw up a little bit? Very MacGyver of you with that penny!!😅
We did turn up that screw and it idles about 900-1000 rpm!