Need help with my 1978 280z 2+2

[SeKcGamer]

I went into my garage to start up my car and it began to run,then the car just turns off and won't even start up anymore. We think it might be because of the fuel pump or the engine because when we try to start it up it will try to run for a while but the smoke isn't black it's more of a whiteish color. Another symptom is that the oil on the dipstick is of a chocolatey color, which means water. The car also misfires a lot. We asked a retired Datsun mechanic what would be the cause of this and he responded that water might have been going in the engine and that the year for the 1978 280z developed a crack in the cylinder head and in order to save the engine we had to drain the oil and let the car sit for 24 hours. And put new oil and hope the engine is fine. 2nd we went to oriellys auto parts to see what it would cost to buy a new head cylinder but the guy wanted to know what was wrong with the car and we told him the symptoms, and he decided we needed some head crack sealer that goes in the radiator. 

And now we're stuck.

need help. Skype could be a good way to see what's going on with our car.

Edited February 18, 2016 by SeKcGamer

[SteveJ]

First - Diagnose the problems. Do not just throw money at parts at them. 

Second - With those symptoms, do not try to start the car again. Don't risk hydrolocking the engine (That is when you have water in the cylinders. Water won't compress, so you tend to bend things at that point.)

Water in the oil could be a blown head gasket, a cracked head, a cracked block, or even corrosion between the oil and water jackets. You'll need to pull the head and check.

[siteunseen]

The front cover behind the water pump could be cracked allowing coolant to mix with the oil, it's pretty thin behind there and if the pump's impeller is loose it could wear a hole in the cover's water passages.  Hundreds of possibilities.

Check the plugs for water droplets and see how much coolant is in the radiator.  If the radiator is empty you have a big leak like the front cover is worn and coolant is mixing at the front and dropping down into the oil pan.  If the plugs are wet, most likely a cracked head or head gasket.  Just guesses, that's all you'll get without going further with the symptoms.

[Zed Head]

Don't take advice from parts store guys.  Most of what the typical parts guy knows is what they heard from other people like you.  Your retired Datsun "mechanic" gave strange advice.  Or you misunderstood what he said.  His suggestion of water "going in to the engine" and letting it sit for 24 hours then refilling with oil is odd.  

If you can run Skype, maybe you can use your computer to grab a picture.  Or just take picture with whatever device you're using Skype from.  In short, get a picture of the oil on the dipstick.  Check the plugs as suggested.

Has it been cold in Nampa?  In your garage?

 

[SeKcGamer]

The weather currently is in its 50's and the car is in our garage. But when it was cold we had a heater running in our garage so it wasn't outside. I also use Skype on my iPad that way it's more mobile.

Edited February 18, 2016 by SeKcGamer

[Zed Head]

 

14 hours ago, SeKcGamer said:

I went into my garage to start up my car and it began to run,then the car just turns off and won't even start up anymore.

I wasn't really asking about Skype.  We need pictures, however you can get them.  I don't think anyone is here to do an online realtime diagnosis.

How long did the car sit, and how did it run when it was parked?  Maybe the Datsun mechanic was right and you let a leaky roof drip water in to the engine.  I asked if it was cold because frozen coolant can crack a head or block.  Maybe even lift a head, causing a gasket leak.  Are you using antifreeze in the coolant or just straight water?  Need to figure out water got in to your oil.  If the car has sat for a year or two it could be condensation.

You're a bit limited because you know not much about cars.  "New head cylinder" in your first post is a sign, and is most likely why the parts guy sold you some "head crack sealer".  He'll probably keep selling you stuff you don't need if you go back.  Be careful.

[SeKcGamer]

Also it's my first car. My father bought it for me just about about a month in a half

[SeKcGamer]

The previous owner kept it outside for about a week and a half in the snow. The radiator had anti-freeze but we drained it in order to start the "crack head"sealer. The instructions on the can said that we needed to drain the radiator completely, with no residue...completely clean.then we had to fill it with water and try to idle the car. But we could never have the car idle. When we drove the  car it ran perfectly. As soon as we turned the key it would turn on with no problem almost instantly and never misfired.  We put new spark plugs and we bought a new fuel pump that's currently in that gets 45psi and we put new wires and oil filter in it and we still have to put in the new brake master.

Edited February 18, 2016 by SeKcGamer

[Zed Head]

12 minutes ago, SeKcGamer said:

The previous owner kept it outside for about a week and a half in the snow.

When we had the car it ran perfectly. As soon as we turned the key it would turn on with no problem almost instantly and never misfired.  We put new spark plugs and we bought a new fuel pump that's currently in that gets 45psi and we put new wires and oil filter in it and we still have to put in the new brake master.

Not really clear what you're saying.  "When we had the car"?  When?  How long did it run perfectly before you parked it in the garage?

Since it's your first car,and first Z, the best thing that you can do is to read through the Service Manual.  Engine Fuel chapter.  See the link below.  Your fuel pressure is too high, for starters, but there's much more in there.

On the pictures, I really wanted to see the " chocolatey color, which means water."  Dark chocolate would be okay, milk chocolate would be iffy.  White chocolate would be bad.  Could be that you've assumed the wrong problem though, there are several things that you can do to confirm.  Since you put new spark plugs in, the old ones should be available for pictures.  Where's the tub full of oil that you drained?  If you give more information, you'll get some good ideas from out here.

http://www.classiczcars.com/files/category/4-manuals/

[SeKcGamer]

5 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

Not really clear what you're saying.  "When we had the car"?  When?  How long did it run perfectly before you parked it in the garage?

Since it's your first car,and first Z, the best thing that you can do is to read through the Service Manual.  Engine Fuel chapter.  See the link below.  Your fuel pressure is too high, for starters, but there's much more in there.

On the pictures, I really wanted to see the " chocolatey color, which means water."  Dark chocolate would be okay, milk chocolate would be iffy.  White chocolate would be bad.  Could be that you've assumed the wrong problem though, there are several things that you can do to confirm.  Since you put new spark plugs in, the old ones should be available for pictures.  Where's the tub full of oil that you drained?  If you give more information, you'll get some good ideas from out here.

http://www.classiczcars.com/files/category/4-manuals/

I meant when we drove the car it ran perfectly fine. Alright will take some more pictures

[siteunseen]

'78s had vents in the hood. The hood has been changed or its not a seventy eight. Could have been in an accident, pretty good one to for a different hood. Fyi

[SeKcGamer]

The title of the car is good. And has never been in a accident