So today was maintenance day on my Z.

It has been running a little sluggish. My first job was to replace the fram 3G filter located near the tank. I think this was the main culprit.

Also the car has been running hot. My thought was that since so much of the EFI system relies on temp reading I would do some maintenance on the cooling system. It has never been flushed since I have owned the car. Flushing whent smooth, nothing unexpected. I also inspected the thermostat and to my surprise someone in the past had installed it upside down!

On to the oil change: This was easy as usual, except I noted that the oil filter was not tight, causing a small oil leak. (no one to blame but I), and the oil drain plug gasket (seal) was shot. It crumbled into 6 or 7 pieces. As a temporary solution I made a little seal out of black rubberized gasket material but I would like a permanent replacement. Any clue where to find one?

So My Z is happier now but it looks like another oil change may occur soon. The thermostat was aftermarket as was the replacement. I think I will order a Nissan thermostat and another gasket just to sure.

Edited June 18, 201212 yr by grantf

"As a temporary solution I made a little seal out of black rubberized gasket material but I would like a permanent replacement. Any clue where to find one?"

It is called a copper crush washer. You could get Nissan but parts store should have one.

Edited June 18, 201212 yr by black gold man

Wow really?!? the one that came off crumbled was plastic or hardend rubber. If it is copper I can get one at Tacoma Screw or Napa.

Edited June 18, 201212 yr by grantf

Nissan part #11026-61000, (replaces 11026-00002) Washer. I got several on my last order from Courtesy. They seem to last over a time if not over torqued. I also have a very strong magnet attached to the drain plug, just to look at each oil change, the trans & diff are already magnatized.

Bonzi Lon

My Felpro gasket set came with a off white plastic washer for the oil drain. But it has the copper one on it already.

I'll just get the copper one. Thanks. Here is a mystery: anyone heard of a clacking noise from the BPT valve?

My valves were so far out of adjustment I heard "clacking" and thought it was a woodpecker on my house.

My valves could use an adjust. but this is coming from the BPT valve. The one that has a vacuum line to the EGR.