NurseLaura

All I can say is "THANKS!" I will let you know what happens...

Thanks! I printed out this entire thread and I'm taking it to the mechanic in the AM. Hopefully, between him and you all, and myself, we can figure this thing out. Wish us luck!

It smokes black smoke constantly when it's running crappy, and it's very difficult to keep running. When it first started this latest funk, I could let it warm up a little, then it would suddenly begin running perfectly, and the smoke would stop. Now, I can't even get it to run long enough to warm up, and it's hurtin' when it's running. Also, I could tell when it was gonna start acting up because it started cutting out during acceleration, and would smoke a little (gray/white smoke). When I would let off the pedal a little, it would kind of "catch up" ya know? However, right now that's not even an issue because I can't even take it on the road at all. And thanks for the EFI lesson. I don't know what you do for a living, but you should consider teaching mechanics!

Would you be kind enough to explain the ECCS system to me in a few sentences? I'm familiar with fuel injection in general, and the O2 sensor and stuff, but I don't know about the ECCS. I know asking questions is the best way to learn about things, even though I may sound ignorant ... and much easier and cheaper than screwing something up! Thanks again.

Thanks, guys! Guess I'll have to keep following the "rule out" method. At least I'm learning what's NOT the problem, narrowing down the list of things that COULD BE the problem. I really appreciate all of your knowledge and input... keep it comin'!

Well, last time I was here I had a fuel problem and you all helped immensely! So here I am again, asking for your help again! My 1983 280zx is running very rough (when I can keep her running), and blowing black smoke in rebellion. I have replaced the old nasty fuel tank, the fuel pump. the fuel lines, the fuel filter, and the spark plugs. The mechanic has checked the air flow meter, the O2 sensor, and the fuel rail. The fuel pressure is right in the line (according to the mechanic). Today, the injectors are getting blown clean, but I really don't think that's the problem either. This car has us stumped! Any suggestions? Any input is appreciated. You guys rock! PS - just a little more info - this is an intermittent problem since I bought the car a few years ago. It will run great for a few thousand miles, then when it goes bad, I replace something and it runs good again. Then just when I think I figured it out this time, the same thing starts happening again. Hmmmm....

This is great stuff to chew on! JimmyZ - what is the process they use at a radiator shop to apply the lining? Do they spray it, or roll the tank around, or what? I know that the kits come with instructions, but I'm really scared of screwing it up... and then I have NO tank! Thanks to all you guys for the great advice... I'm still up in the air about it. And my tank is now in the back of the SUV until I figure out what to do. (Might improve the smell in the SUV )

Hello all!:cheeky: I really need a gas tank for my 1983 280zx. The old one is off the car and dumped, rinsed and dried... but I'm afraid to put it back on as is. Rust, pinholes, integrity, etc. Anyone know of a place here in Orlando that cleans and coats tanks, or anyplace that I can buy an aftermarket one for this model? Thanks in advance!:nervous:

Welcome! And congratulations! I have found this place a wealth of info and enthusiasm. Hope you love it as much as I do!

I'm steadily getting my Z lookin' good, and now it's time to do something about the wheels/rims. I've got that white oxidation-looking stuff and some black stuff in the pits of the aluminum that just won't come clean. I don't want to scratch it all up with an abrasive because it may never look good again. I noticed that most aluminum cleaner is an acid. I've got some muriatic acid around and was wondering if that would work? (diluted with water, of course) I'm not much into paying a major amount of money for some special product that may or may not work. Any other suggestions? Advice?

Dark brown, not sure if this will help, but check the thread entitled "fuel tank?". My car was stalling and bucking, too. And it's the same year as yours. Just a suggestion to look at before you start getting into the high-dollar diagnostics and replacement parts. That's just my $.02

Yes, the tank was in the car. It would have been funny if we had video of it. And of course, in the middle of it, we had one of our daily Florida rain storms. To make matters worse, we couldn't get the pass. rear tire off because whoever put my new ones on had cross-threaded one of the lugs. That meant crawling under the doggone thing. (Got the lug fixed later in the day, after everything was done, of course). What a fiasco! But it's done, and it was worth the gas in the face. But next time, I'll be a little more prepared!

1983 280zx (daily driver) Airboat (350 Chevy motor and a huge propellor) - weekends and days off

Cleaned out the fuel tank with a small clear siphon hose. Had to feel around by hand to find the corners. Lots of nasty stuff came out. Cleaned out the lines and blew them through with an air hose. Took the screeens/filters out and scraped and blew them out, too. Put it all back together (no new parts) and it drives like a new car! No more hesitation or stalling. And this car loves hills now! Thanks to everyone for your input!

And a great idea it is! I will do that too, when I get to that point in the line. Unfortunately, I have to go to my real job and won't be able to mess with it again until next week. Thanks for the gem of wisdom! And thanks to all of you! I'm llistening!

I agree too. That just plain makes sense. So, it looks like I'll be doing some cleaning of lines and filters. Time consuming, but hopefully will be the cure. Thanks, guys. You really rock!

Zbane, thanks for your advice. Well, I got the thing out..... fairly painless. Found caked-on rust from the bottom to about the 3-inch line of everything. I scraped and brushed and cleaned up the whole thing until both floats were functional and the switches seemed to be in the right position. I was able to clean the screen/filter off pretty well. Looked almost brand new when I got done! Then, I put the doggone thing right back in there. Of course, I had to take her for a little drive.... To my amazement, the fuel guage now works. But so does the fuel light, always on. Oh well. Here's the problem: The SAME THING!!! When I really get on the gas, I suddenly get NO gas. This also happens when going on an incline, even a slight incline. Letting off the gas helps, and I'm able to limp it up slowly to speed. But every time I try to accelerate a little too quickly..... nothing. I tried leaving the pedal down once in 2nd gear, just to see what would happen (maybe something would blow out). But almost completely stalled her out. How frustrating! My next move I think is to take each piece of fuel line off seperately and blow them out and make sure there's no CAD (plaque in the coronary arteries). Any other ideas, especially the kind that are kind to the pocketbook, are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

JK, too. But seriously, I just took out that fuel sending assembly tonight on mine, too. It's way rustier than the pics of zbane's. I tried to post pics, but they are pending approval right now. I do believe everything is functional, but there's big chunks of rusty crap all over stuff. So that means there's probably a layer of YUCK at the bottom of the tank. I was really hoping not to have to drop it, but after reading this thread and seeing the nastiness of that beast that I pulled out, looks like I should. Can that entire unit be replaced at a reasonable cost? If so, where? If not, are there any tricks to restoring the old one to a decent level?

Hey, now......

Truly an amazing spot on the ethernet for Z fans! Loved it! Thanks!