She won't start

[neveragain55]

Hi all,

I purchased a 1977 280Z two years ago, registered her, drove her, parked her............... She sat last winter with very little gas in the tank, and when I put a new battery in with some fresh gas, she refused to start. She spins real strong and will start momentarily with a shot of starting fluid but won't stay running. I have spark, I'm not getting fuel and I don't know why. The car ran really great previous to her slumber last winter.

Any thoughts anyone ??????????

"Frustrated"

[Fun_in_my_z]

Check for clogged fuel lines. Check the fuel filter and pump. And make sure your pump is getting power.

[beandip]

When you leave a fuel tank with little fuel in it over the winter. Every time the temp fluctuates up and down they sweat inside a little. The moisture collects at the bottom of the tank and can rust it. I am fairly sure on your year Z that there is a vary fine screen/sock attached to the supply inside the tank. If you are lucky this isn't blocked and it is just a filter . Check for a in line filter back by the tank . I would just replace it . Also any fuel filter up front as well. Any little piece of rust or crud if not caught by the filters WILL clog the injectors . It's best to keep the tank full , when over wintering a car. With hardly any air in the tank , it will not sweat, also use stabilizer in the fuel.

[zbane]

Here's a picture of the screen, and a link to atlantic z, where there is a great group of photos, including the internal pump filter (assuming you have an original pump).

Regarding the screen, it is located inside the tank, so you will need to get in there. The sending unit is accesable from inside the car, in the hatch area (obviously). I don't have a 280z, so I can't tell you exactly where to look, but it should be fairly obvious as to how you access the unit.

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

I hope this helps get you started.

(Will, hope you don't mind me lifting your photo from a different post, I thought it be useful here)

[neveragain55]

Thanks so much for the help guys,

I'm going to check for power going to the fuel pump first. If I have power I'll check for clogged screens & lines. The information and pictures were a "Godsend".

I'll write up a full conclusion when she's running in case someone else in the future ever runs into the same problems.

Thanks, Neveragain55

[daddz]

Nevragain55,

I ahve been dealing with a similar problem on my father's '77 280Z. It has been sitting since 2003 and just this spring it had alot of work done to it including:

new Nissan injectors, sub harnesses, manifold gasket, intake and exhaust manifold studs, heater core, heater valve, distributor pick up.

I got the car home and installed:

new NGk spark plugs, NGK wires, Nissan dit. cap, Nissan dist. rotor., fuel filter, all vacuum lines (I used the silicone SVH).

I began making small roadtrips and it has been acting up (stalls and sometime won't restart) and I think I may have that clogged screen although I haven't had the time to check this out--maybe this weekend? I also insatlled new air flow mete boots and cleaned the throttle body while I was at it. I installed a fuel pressure gauge and it reads 32-34 psi and when I squeeze the return line the pressure jumps to about 55-60 psi. I notcied that the fuel pressure regulator hadn't been changed so i may install that piece as well just for peace of mind's sake.