Dont know what to do

[shakezula]

Well i bought my z (1982 280zx turbo) a week ago monday. I know its not quite a classic but i plan on owning it till it is. However i still have questions that i hope can be answered. Now, This is my problem. I bought the car from a friend of mine who changed the starter and the coil but he put parts from his old z non-turbo in it. When i got it the car ran but the catalytic converter was really clogged so it was acting as a governor and not letting me use this car to its potential. (which as a 16 year old kinda ticked me off) However i took it through inspection anyways so i could get the temp tag that comes with just failing emission so i could drive it while i was fixing the exhaust. I changed the oil, Syphoned all the old gas and put new in with fuel system cleaner, changed the fuel filter, the air filter, spark plugs, new battery, and then after i had all this done at my friends house, i went to go home in it. It started right up at 6:00 in the morning. When i got home i went in to get a little nap before work. At 7:30 when i was going to leave for work it made the sounds of a starter gone bad: the attempted turnover then the speedy wind up noise. I went and purchased another starter and installed it. Then when i go to turn it on, It turns on, but what i have to do is give it gas to turn it on, then when it finally turns on it idles real slow backfires a few times then shuts off and smokes out of the emergency relief valve for the turbo, unless i keep revving the engine, and when i do this it backfires alot but stays on, Well wanting to make it work i figured that the catalytic converter had somehow gotten more clogged and was making the car unable to stay running. I took it off. Same thing happened. I then figured since it was pretty rusty in the pipes maybe it had gotten clogged in a spot somewhere before the converter. I took off the pipe that is after the o2 sensor. Still nothing (pipe was clogged a bit tho) now...my car is sitting there with only remnants of an exhaust. I dont know what to do. If anyone has an idea what could possibly be causing my problems, please let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[sphy1005]

ck the timing aparantly it happened after u changed the starter. did u put everything back. good luck

[shakezula]

i put everything back the right way...but im not sure i know how to check the timing...i will consult my handy manual and get back to u on it...thanks

[seerex]

I would also clean the terminals for the battery and the ones going to the starter. They might be causing the bog down when trying to start the car. You need to check the rotor and the distributor cap on the car as well. The distributor retainer bolt that keep the distributor locked in once you have timed it might have come loose it is at the bottom of the distributor near the blockplate. How long did the car sit? If it sat for a long time I would take a bit of effort to make sure all the fuses and relays are clean and free of buildup from moisture. Being a turbo engine there are a few more things that can be a prob but mostly air/fuel/spark are the keys things. But if having an exhaust which isn't clogged up is key as well.

[shakezula]

the car sat for approximately 6 months till when my friend got it then he worked on it to get it running for like less than a month till i got it...the battery cables look pretty new to me...as for the timing...cant say that i did that but only because i dont know how. how long does it take to time it? As for spark...i think its good there and i KNOW it runs rich so im gonna put in new fuel injectors and a new o2 sensor ive already bought new fuses to put in and i checked the connections for the wires and most look pretty clean a few didnt leave me feeling secure but ive taken to over looking that for major problems such as it not starting when it needed the new starter but i fully intend to do anything possible to get this car back in pristine condition i already got a new trans lined up to go in her...

[seerex]

Well new fuel injectors should be put on the back burner<probably not needed unless they are leaking or when tested not putting any fuel out> , if the car is out of time that probably will cure most of your running rich issues with a new o2 sensor if that is bad. I would get the timing correct first then check the rest of the ignition system , there is a way to test an o2 sensor and I think it is in any of the manuals. Once you get the basics correct you can fine tune other problems. Good Luck

[shakezula]

ok thanks do u think this site has a good guide for checking the timing...cuz i want an easy way that i can understand but im not sure if this would work on a z

http://www.thedodgegarage.com/timing_belt.html

[shakezula]

is it expensive for a mechanic to check timing?

[seerex]

naa shouldn't take more than half hour but he could also test to be sure your o2 sensor is good or bad

[shakezula]

thanks im probly gonna replace the sensor anyways cuz it looks pretty beat unless i find out there expensive then i'll just have it checked