79 280ZX has spark but will not start

[tymerider]

I'm looking for some advise regarding a 280ZX that I can't get started.

The car is a fuel-injected '79 280ZX.

The car has been sitting several years. At the time is as "stored" it was running, however nothing was specifically done to put it into storage.

I've put 5 gallons of fresh gas in the tank (though did not drain it prior to adding the new gas), I can hear the fuel pump working, and there is spark at the plugs.

When I first crank the engine over, within the first couple turns of the engine it sounds like its going to start and it seems to almost catch, however it doesn't start and then just cranks and cranks. If I immediately try to crank it again, it just turns over and doesn't come close to starting. However if I wait 30-45 minutes and then try to start it again, once again, it almost starts after a couple turns, but again, fails to start and again just turns over and over without starting. The above pattern repeats if I wait another half hour or so and try again.

THere is NOT an obvious smell of gas which would indicate flooding. So I'm not sure if its getting too much gas or too little to run continuously. I'm guessing some component is probably gummed up with gasoline residue after sitting several years.

Can someone give me the most likely components to look and and clean or replace?

Thanks,

Doug

[2ManyZs]

The obvious thing to check is to see if the injectors are working or not... use a screwdriver or stethoscope on the metal retaining ring holding the fuel injector in place and see if it is making any noise when someone cranks it over. If not, it could be a wiring issue around the distributor, as I think they fire off the distributor or coil the same as the earlier 280's.....

If they are clicking while turning it over, then it could be something as simple as a clogged fuel filter, fuel line or fuel pickup in the tank.

If none of those items, we'll try to brainstorm up a few other things to check.... but ZX's aren't are strong suit... many of us are still carb people....

[SurfColorado]

check for vacium leaks and loose hoses. also try to jump start it, sometimes the car will have enough power to crank but not turn over

[TKR514]

Change fuel filter, plugs, cap/rotor and all fluids.

Just wondering if the compression is low...

[zeiss150]

Not that Im an expert ... but, I would make sure that you have gas going through thoes fule injectors. When gas sits around for a while it turns into "goooo" Try some thing simpel like a fule injector cleaner. Make sure that you are getting fule. If you have Fule, Spark, and Compression, ... you have Vrrrrrrrooooom!

I would make sure I have spark. Take out each spark pulg (one at a time) hold the plug electrod up against the engine and "look" for that little blue spark. Well ... thats all I've got. Good luck! Let us know your progress.

[SurfColorado]

my 82 wasnt starting for the last couple of days. It was crank, have spark and fuel, but not turn over. I had some bad electrical conections to the battery. I lossened up the clamps on the battery and then tightened them and made sure it was on there. I also took electrical contact cleaner to all the connections under the hood. Also from all the cranking of the engine you may flooded it. take the spark plugs out for a while and let the gas evaporate

[LanceM]

Pull the hose off of the front of the airflow meter and spray starting fluid in while some one cranks it, if it starts and runs on starter fluid you have fuel problems. If it has been sitting a couple of years the gas in the tank is crap. Dump it and blow the lines clear of the old stuff, put in new along with some injector cleaner and get it running.

[restorer280zx]

I have an '83 280zx and i pulled it in the garage to change the plugs and pulled the dash out for painting. Since then it hasn't hit one bit of fire. I have replaced the ic module, plugs, wires, ignition, rotory button, distributor, distributor cap, and checked all wiring twice with ohm meter. Now, riddle me this, what the heck did i do to my ride? Oh yeah, and i have put three different coils on it. Any masters of the z had this problem before? E-mail me with any chances of a solved problem.

thanks,

charles

[280zx Fever]

Check your ignition switch...

you can hotwire it.. from the + side of battery to + side of the coil.

Now to check your injectiors..

remove the clip on one of the injectors. insert a led light (little red globe thingy) Crank the car over. this will tell you if your getting pulse to the injectors.. if your get pulse try are to start it.. if no success remove fuel rail and see if the injectors are squirting fuel.

If they are spray some carby cleaner down the plenum through the tb this should get it started.