you're a true savior... i just bought a 1986 300zx 2+2 non turbo, and i'm so happy I've found your channel, I'm excited to restore mine and i want you to know the knowledge you're sharing is valuable
I have had mine since I was 15. It's been sitting for 10 years while I went to school and spent 4 years as a broke musician in Nashville. Now that I ran that dream out I finally have some money to redo mine. Glad to be here with you guys
Dude this save my life I have a 85 300ZX turbo and Man working on it sometimes can be a freaking maze and half the time I don’t know where the part I’m looking for is thank you
Thanks for the video! What is the red connector for at 3:45? Mine is connecting to the mount on near the edge (left side on the screen where you have 2 screws hole).
Own an 87 300 z .Moved to sarasota and found every numbskull so called expert on z engines . If I was a violent person I think a Ray Donovan baseball bat might at least a temporary solution. Problem is at 78 my chassis is failing worse every day and a louisville slugger is not a real option. a half hour listening to you is like a cool breeze blowing in from the gulf which doesn't happen until december in florida. I will subscribe at with my next pay check. thanks for the light at the end of this florida tunnel.
So stoked to find someone who has such great details and description ,I have a 1988 non turbo z all stock factory in relatively good condition, iam in luv w this car ,iam lookin for a rear window louver aluminum do you have any suggestions on how to get one ?
Thanks so much for this. I'm located in Europe and over here we don't have as many tutorials/videos on that car. I was wondering where the engine oil dipstick is? I can't seem to find it. Got a '86 na model.
I'm not sure if they changed it on European cars, but here in the US it's on the driver's side of the engine (so passenger for rhd) and comes up right next to the valve cover, close to centered on the valve cover.
Hi. I'm hoping you can help me with this. I thought putting a cone filter on this car was going to be simple but it seems that, like EVERYTHING else on this car. It's not so simple! Even with years old information from forums, and websites DEDICATED to this MIND FUCK of a car. I followed Zbums directions and bought the K&N RE-0810 cone filter, and a 3 inch by 6 inch straight pipe. I want to delete the old air box, and silencer. The elbow on the right of the silencer box is MUCH LARGER than 3inches. I tried putting the aforementioned filter with a 3 inch flange on the silencer box. IT DOES NOT FIT. IT IS TOO SMALL. Any suggestions on the CORRECT size? Or the CORRECT combination of parts to do the intake box and silencer delete?
I have a 1991 z32 2+2 na, person said they changed the heater core but the heat doesn’t work, the ac blows out cold air and the temperature doesn’t seem to work when I lower it or raise it… any idea?
I have a misfire on cylinder 3. I replaced the spark plugs NGK, wires NGK but the cap comes from Advanced Auto. Could the rotor cap be causing my misfire because it is not OEM? Also, what do you think about a RB25DE or DET swap?
Hi, I'm new the z garage. I've had my 1984 for 10yrs, always been reliable until recently high idle issue. Cold its fine, heats up, 1500rpm with no heater, lights or aircon on. Changed my fast idle control valve, checked all vacuum lines I could see, could it be my air idle control valve, maf or throttle position sensor? It does have poor acceleration at high speed! Love any ideas to help me out!
If my headlights suddenly stopped working (the lights still work but they don’t go up or go down) should I just replace them or would I just test them by connecting a positive and negative to it?
If you rotate the little knob on the back and they pop up and then go back down the motor is fine. It's most likely the Headlight switch on the steering column. It controls when they move and the contacts like to get corroded
hello thanks for your video, my problem is that my Zx 300 is losing petrol through the exhaust. It also smells like petrol in the oil. can you help me what it could be? when starting the engine, a whitish fuel-stinking cloud smokes to the exhaust, I even have a video of it.-😱
I don't know if anyone's told you this yet, but that Z31 is most likely an '86 model. Someone's just managed to put a '87+ front clip on it. Clues that give it away are the wheels, which I believe those specific wheels are only found on the '86 model year, unless they were swapped at one point, and the tail lights. the '87+ Z31's had the solid bar type that was flush across the back panel, not the upside-down U looking ones on this Z.
The white Z is mine and it is an 86. The Z featured in this video is my friend's and it's a true 87. It has solid bar tail lights, single bulb headlights, and other year change differences like a different style of front control arm tension rods.
You can see both cars in the first 30 seconds of the video. I show my 86 and explain how it's not a great example of a stock car, but then show the 87 which is very much a stock car
where does the speedo cable come out at? i need to swap mine out for a new one and i dont know how to replace it unless you wanna make a video on it that would be even more awesome. i cant find a single vid on replacing z31 speedo cables.
The speedo cable comes out of the tail housing of the transmission on the passenger side. There's a cover kind of thing you unscrew and the cable pulls out once it's off.
the upper radiator hose where it meets with the piping off the block like right where the radiator cap is broke on a z im looking at can you let me know if its made into the block or if i can replace it timestamp 12:10 you were pointing at the vacuum hoses around it
That whole section there where the radiator cap is located is bolted to the block. If you can find someone with a parts car, you can just replace it pretty easily.
The company making the extended harness hasn't been doing well getting orders out recently, so I recommend this place. xenonzcar.com/store/product/z31-cylinder-head-temp-sensor-sub-harness/
That's great thanks very much! You said you did a video about relocating the CHTS, I've been digging through your video's and haven't found it yet, was that part of one of the timing belt videos?
Really helpful video. I have an 85 naturally aspirated VG30 with the wires to the throttle body chopped off as well as other connectors. I see that it has 3 pins but looking at this video. I think I only saw 2 wires going to the throttle sensor. Can you please tell me if it has 2 wires and what color wires. I'd really appreciate it. :D
I don't have my stock wiring anymore, and I gave this Z back to my friend. You may try checking in the factory service manual on XenonZcar.com to see if it lists the colors
I don't believe they do. your digital dash has a power supply under the dash right above where you're right knee would be when sitting in the driver's seat. these usually cause the display to go out. also, that little round valve thing right next to the fuseable link box is your speed sensor (for the speedometer on the digitital display)
You've probably got a vacuum leak between your intake and your vacuum canister then. The canister controls both the heater core and the interior controls and if it doesn't have enough vacuum the system defaults to hot air on defrost. If the vacuum lines and canister seem to check out, then the hvac system has bellows that move the vents and they can tear with age and cause a vacuum leak
@@TheZGarage thanks, but I noticed in 1 of your videos you said it really shouldn't make a difference. I live in tn its been pretty warm here. The little nipple where the wire plugs in at got broke the other day. I drove the car ran fine until I stopped at the store, I shut it off but when i tried to start it wouldn't. After an hour and turning t h e ignition off and on multiple times it started. Must parts on the car has been changed. The car sat in a field since 2008. I replace a lot of parts and brought it back to life.
So sorta off topic question pertaining to the video, but on my 86 na, once I shut my car off it sounds like there is some sort of fan that stays on for roughy 30 minutes, is this a normal thing?
It is normal. It's called the injector cooling fan and it blows air on the injectors to help keep them cool after the car has been running. They used to have issues with hot starts when the fuel would vaporize in the fuel rail due to heat soak and it would be difficult to start. I believe modern fuel is a bit more resistant to vaporization so I've removed the fan that was on mine and haven't had any issues. But unless it's causing a massive power drain, you can leave it and it won't cause any issues
* * * IT SUCKS HOW RIGHT BEFORE COVID YOU COULD FIND A Z31 TURBO 5SPD CAR IN DECENT RUNNING CONDITION FOR UNDER $1500....NOW , AFTER COVID... GOOD LUCK FINDING A ROLLER FOR THAT * * * UGH !
Excellent. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking for a good reliable company to buy all kinds of stuff for my 87Z. Do you recommend anyone? Thanks again. Much appreciated. 💤
you're a true savior... i just bought a 1986 300zx 2+2 non turbo, and i'm so happy I've found your channel, I'm excited to restore mine and i want you to know the knowledge you're sharing is valuable
Ditto to this just got mine and glad I found this channel
I have had mine since I was 15. It's been sitting for 10 years while I went to school and spent 4 years as a broke musician in Nashville. Now that I ran that dream out I finally have some money to redo mine. Glad to be here with you guys
hows the restoration going?
Dude this save my life I have a 85 300ZX turbo and Man working on it sometimes can be a freaking maze and half the time I don’t know where the part I’m looking for is thank you
Can you make a video about vaccum lines and how to fit them ? Diagrams are kinda confusing
I second this.
I will try! I get confused as well haha
@@TheZGarage Thank you!
Great Video!!! Lots of useful information. I'd love to see one on an earlier model Turbo. Keep the videos coming. Great job. 👍🏼
Thank you for z31 content
Wow thank you so much ! Just got a 87 300zx
Great Job! Thank you learned alot.
Thank you for All the knowledge! 💯🔥
Thanks for the video! What is the red connector for at 3:45? Mine is connecting to the mount on near the edge (left side on the screen where you have 2 screws hole).
I just subbed up! I have the 88 Z31 2x2 this video is very helpful!
Really good vid, I needed this
Really helpful, just bought a 50th anniversary edition and it's confusing as hell
Own an 87 300 z .Moved to sarasota and found every numbskull so called expert on z engines . If I was a violent person I think a Ray Donovan baseball bat might at least a temporary solution. Problem is at 78 my chassis is failing worse every day and a louisville slugger is not a real option. a half hour listening to you is like a cool breeze blowing in from the gulf which doesn't happen until december in florida. I will subscribe at with my next pay check. thanks for the light at the end of this florida tunnel.
Thanks for your information
So stoked to find someone who has such great details and description ,I have a 1988 non turbo z all stock factory in relatively good condition, iam in luv w this car ,iam lookin for a rear window louver aluminum do you have any suggestions on how to get one ?
Thanks so much for this. I'm located in Europe and over here we don't have as many tutorials/videos on that car. I was wondering where the engine oil dipstick is? I can't seem to find it. Got a '86 na model.
I'm not sure if they changed it on European cars, but here in the US it's on the driver's side of the engine (so passenger for rhd) and comes up right next to the valve cover, close to centered on the valve cover.
@@TheZGarage I found it thanks to you. Cheers :D
Hi. I'm hoping you can help me with this. I thought putting a cone filter on this car was going to be simple but it seems that, like EVERYTHING else on this car. It's not so simple! Even with years old information from forums, and websites DEDICATED to this MIND FUCK of a car. I followed Zbums directions and bought the K&N RE-0810 cone filter, and a 3 inch by 6 inch straight pipe. I want to delete the old air box, and silencer. The elbow on the right of the silencer box is MUCH LARGER than 3inches. I tried putting the aforementioned filter with a 3 inch flange on the silencer box. IT DOES NOT FIT. IT IS TOO SMALL. Any suggestions on the CORRECT size? Or the CORRECT combination of parts to do the intake box and silencer delete?
I’m going to check an 84 300zx and I wanted to know what I should check for! It’s been sitting for a long long time bout 10-20 years!😬
Could you make a more in depth explanation on the speedometer wire, dont think mines has it anymore and want to know how ti fit it
I have a 1991 z32 2+2 na, person said they changed the heater core but the heat doesn’t work, the ac blows out cold air and the temperature doesn’t seem to work when I lower it or raise it… any idea?
Can you switch electric fans ???
Hey brother I got a 1986 nissan 300zx naturally aspirated the issue I'm getting is no spark I replaced the distributor and ignition coil
I have a misfire on cylinder 3. I replaced the spark plugs NGK, wires NGK but the cap comes from Advanced Auto. Could the rotor cap be causing my misfire because it is not OEM? Also, what do you think about a RB25DE or DET swap?
Hi, I'm new the z garage. I've had my 1984 for 10yrs, always been reliable until recently high idle issue. Cold its fine, heats up, 1500rpm with no heater, lights or aircon on. Changed my fast idle control valve, checked all vacuum lines I could see, could it be my air idle control valve, maf or throttle position sensor? It does have poor acceleration at high speed! Love any ideas to help me out!
Honestly I'm not too sure. My first thought is a vacuum leak, but cleaning the maf might help as well
If my headlights suddenly stopped working (the lights still work but they don’t go up or go down) should I just replace them or would I just test them by connecting a positive and negative to it?
If you rotate the little knob on the back and they pop up and then go back down the motor is fine. It's most likely the Headlight switch on the steering column. It controls when they move and the contacts like to get corroded
@@TheZGarage thank you!
hello thanks for your video, my problem is that my Zx 300 is losing petrol through the exhaust. It also smells like petrol in the oil. can you help me what it could be? when starting the engine, a whitish fuel-stinking cloud smokes to the exhaust, I even have a video of it.-😱
My best guess would be a stuck injector or two dumping way too much fuel in the engine. I would also do a block test to check the head gasket.
I don't know if anyone's told you this yet, but that Z31 is most likely an '86 model. Someone's just managed to put a '87+ front clip on it. Clues that give it away are the wheels, which I believe those specific wheels are only found on the '86 model year, unless they were swapped at one point, and the tail lights. the '87+ Z31's had the solid bar type that was flush across the back panel, not the upside-down U looking ones on this Z.
The white Z is mine and it is an 86. The Z featured in this video is my friend's and it's a true 87. It has solid bar tail lights, single bulb headlights, and other year change differences like a different style of front control arm tension rods.
@@TheZGarage So you showed the body of yours and the engine of his?
You can see both cars in the first 30 seconds of the video. I show my 86 and explain how it's not a great example of a stock car, but then show the 87 which is very much a stock car
@@TheZGarage Forgive me. My brain didn't catch the move from the one Z to the other. Completely glazed right over it.
Haha no worries!
where does the speedo cable come out at? i need to swap mine out for a new one and i dont know how to replace it unless you wanna make a video on it that would be even more awesome. i cant find a single vid on replacing z31 speedo cables.
The speedo cable comes out of the tail housing of the transmission on the passenger side. There's a cover kind of thing you unscrew and the cable pulls out once it's off.
the upper radiator hose where it meets with the piping off the block like right where the radiator cap is broke on a z im looking at can you let me know if its made into the block or if i can replace it timestamp 12:10 you were pointing at the vacuum hoses around it
That whole section there where the radiator cap is located is bolted to the block. If you can find someone with a parts car, you can just replace it pretty easily.
@@TheZGarage man thank you a ton for replying so quickly I really appreciate it
Thanks! Any chance you could post a link to the CHTS extender? I couldn't find the one you were talking about for my 85na
The company making the extended harness hasn't been doing well getting orders out recently, so I recommend this place. xenonzcar.com/store/product/z31-cylinder-head-temp-sensor-sub-harness/
That's great thanks very much! You said you did a video about relocating the CHTS, I've been digging through your video's and haven't found it yet, was that part of one of the timing belt videos?
It's a separate video. You can also find it on my website under the write up tab. The video is linked there as well.
Got any tips on swapping the clutch fan to an efan?
I have an overview of how I did my wiring in a video called r134a + efan setup where I show how I set up my relays to properly power the fans
Really helpful video. I have an 85 naturally aspirated VG30 with the wires to the throttle body chopped off as well as other connectors. I see that it has 3 pins but looking at this video. I think I only saw 2 wires going to the throttle sensor. Can you please tell me if it has 2 wires and what color wires. I'd really appreciate it. :D
I don't have my stock wiring anymore, and I gave this Z back to my friend. You may try checking in the factory service manual on XenonZcar.com to see if it lists the colors
Quick question, those fusible links near the cruise control, would they have anything to do with the power going to a digital dash?
I don't believe they do. your digital dash has a power supply under the dash right above where you're right knee would be when sitting in the driver's seat. these usually cause the display to go out. also, that little round valve thing right next to the fuseable link box is your speed sensor (for the speedometer on the digitital display)
I have 88 ! My ac comes out warm and doesn’t come out through all the vents inside
You've probably got a vacuum leak between your intake and your vacuum canister then. The canister controls both the heater core and the interior controls and if it doesn't have enough vacuum the system defaults to hot air on defrost. If the vacuum lines and canister seem to check out, then the hvac system has bellows that move the vents and they can tear with age and cause a vacuum leak
My temperature gauge isn’t working could somebody show me where th sensors are to fix it?!?
What year complete radiator shrouds are compatible with my 1985
All years fan shrouds should be the same
Can you tell me where I can find a fuel temperature sensor. It screws into the fuel pressure regulator.
I couldn't find anything new, but there's a good condition used one on 300zxpartsforyou.com under page 73
@@TheZGarage thanks, but I noticed in 1 of your videos you said it really shouldn't make a difference. I live in tn its been pretty warm here. The little nipple where the wire plugs in at got broke the other day. I drove the car ran fine until I stopped at the store, I shut it off but when i tried to start it wouldn't. After an hour and turning t h e ignition off and on multiple times it started. Must parts on the car has been changed. The car sat in a field since 2008. I replace a lot of parts and brought it back to life.
So sorta off topic question pertaining to the video, but on my 86 na, once I shut my car off it sounds like there is some sort of fan that stays on for roughy 30 minutes, is this a normal thing?
It is normal. It's called the injector cooling fan and it blows air on the injectors to help keep them cool after the car has been running. They used to have issues with hot starts when the fuel would vaporize in the fuel rail due to heat soak and it would be difficult to start. I believe modern fuel is a bit more resistant to vaporization so I've removed the fan that was on mine and haven't had any issues. But unless it's causing a massive power drain, you can leave it and it won't cause any issues
Hey bro do you have any valve cover gasket videos
I do not but I should probably do them soon. So when I do I'll make a video of it!
I have a boost sensor but I have a base model?
Is your car a digital dash?
@@TheZGarage yes I have realized that is why thanks so much for the fast reply! Without you I’d be extremely lost 😅
Welp tomorrow after work ill put mi fan cover back on 💀
How to get a 1987 300zx out of defrost mode?
The hvac system has a vacuum leak in it. When something breaks it defaults to defrost. So you need to figure out where the leak is
* * * IT SUCKS HOW RIGHT BEFORE COVID YOU COULD FIND A Z31 TURBO 5SPD CAR IN DECENT RUNNING CONDITION FOR UNDER $1500....NOW , AFTER COVID... GOOD LUCK FINDING A ROLLER FOR THAT * * *
UGH !
Excellent. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking for a good reliable company to buy all kinds of stuff for my 87Z. Do you recommend anyone? Thanks again. Much appreciated. 💤
I have a list of great resources for information and getting parts on my website at TheZGarage.net/resources