Lean, rich, or draw?

[yuppie69]

Hi, my 83 280ZXT has been stumbling on hot restarts, whenever I let it sit for ten minutes or so. My mechanic saw it happening..stumbling, intake popping for air, poor idle stability, but he told me it is a "running too lean" problem, and suggested I buy a cylinder head temp sensor, an air temp sensor, a new AFM and god knows what else!

I was surprised when I heard him tell me that "there are no simple adjustments on a fuel injected car for rich/lean". Is that so? Is there anything I can do with a screwdriver short of throwing it at him to compensate for this lean restart stumbling? The fuel pressure's ok, there is one slightly leaky injector I'll have to replace, but I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NEXT, HELP!!!

John-Intercooled 280ZXT

[2ManyZs]

The first thing I would do is find another mechanic if you can't do it yourself.

He's half right, there are simple repairs, just no simple ways to diagnose what you need to do. Throwing parts at it is more than likely only going to cost you more than you need to spend.

If you don't have a Factory Service Manual to try the troubleshooting guide in it, try starting with the basics like tune-up, timing, perhaps having the coil and ignition control module on the distributor tested.

Most of us here have limited experience with FI, and even fewer have Turbo FI experience.

You might try posting the question over on another web-site such as www.300zxclub.com or www.zdriver.com in their 280ZX forums for a more informed opinion.

[Chino 240Z]

Most of us here are asperated (did I spell that right?) anyways. 2ManyZs is right about diagnostics are difficult with out running with some O2 sensors and software/computer to look and record what the car computer is seeing from the sensors. Sometimes mechanics will put in some new sensors hoping they will be replacing the bad one. Some problems are from a couple of small things combined to give you trouble and that makes things harder to find. Verify water temp / engine temp isn't running higher than it should. Which means the cooling system may need cleaning, thermostat weak. . .

Again, save some money first and do basics, plugs, wires, cap, filters, injector cleaner treatment, this may save time for a mechanic to find the problem and time is money. I have a similar problem that I'm gona have to deal with soon with my fuel injected F-body Firebird it hates sitting in the heat & but loves the cold.

Good luck yuppie.