car spitting and sputtering

[dark brown]

hi i own a 1983 280 zx and i just fine tuned the car. it has been sitting for a year. it wouldnt even start when i bought it. changed the plugs, wires distributor, tps, tvs, fuel filter and it idles great. when i take it for a drive or rev it up it wants to stall out. after driving it 4 miles it wants to quit running.

the engine is hot and the catilatic con. getts so hot you could roast marshmallows under there. i think the car needs a new catilatic con. anybody run in to this problem.

thanks much appreciated

canadian eh!

[zbane]

http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/fuelpump/index.html

check your pump's filter, who knows what junk is clogged in there.

the main site I got this from is:

http://www.atlanticz.ca/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

[rockymtnhigh39]

I have had the same problem with mine too. My 82' 280zx sat for 6 years before I got it in June. I am getting slightly frustrated these days with where to begin. Seems now my alternator went bad...killed the battery. Once I get that fixed I can work on the same problem you are having. If anyone has any clue why that happened, please let me know. Supposedly when the car was parked it ran great. Does sitting for this length of time do this much damage??

[280~Master]

Try this here, this should help you out a bit.

http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/efisystem/280zfuelinjectionbook.pdf

john

[sblake01]

Six years? That will crud up the gas tank. Mine had been sitting for 4 years when I bought it and I had to replace the tank before it would run properly.

[rockymtnhigh39]

Thanks John for fuel injector info! I was thinking the tank would have to be replaced too Stephen. We flushed it out, but still doesn't run right. (when it runs) It's become an obssesion tho and I will get it running!

[DatsunZsRule]

"Does sitting for this length of time do this much damage??"

Yes Unlike wine, fuel does not get better with age. It goes bad and junks up the fuel system terribly. A dirty fuel filter will cause an issue like your having. The car will run fine at first when cold because the "crud" is settled. As you drive for a while or rev up the engine, it stirs up all the junk, clogging the filter and restricts fuel flow so bad to the point where it kills the engine. I know your thinking "I already replaced the filter" but if you haven't had the fuel tank cleaned and fuel lines cleaned, then more crap is going to keep coming and junking up your new filter. Just my thoughts

[rockymtnhigh39]

I appreciate your thoughts, DatsunZsRule. That makes sense and hope it solves the problem.

[DatsunZsRule]

Let us know how you come out Best of luck to you.

[rockymtnhigh39]

Let us know how you come out Best of luck to you.

Thank you, I will! Everyone has been really nice and am finding alot of great info here!

[dark brown]

hi, found out my spitting and sputtering was my fuel pump. when it was idiling it would rev fine when i gave it gas it would kick and buck. looked under where the fuel pump is and fuel leaking out of the pump . i have the pump on order will let you know how i made out after install.

thanks to all for your help.

canadian eh!!!!

[sblake01]

I hope you're getting an OEM fuel pump and not that thing that Autozone or Checker/Schucks/Kragen/Parts America sells. (The Master E8312) It's junk!