Subject: '77 280Z Plagued by 2 problems
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999
To: "Almaguer, Jeff" <Jeff.Almaguer@ocjp.ca.gov>

Hi Jeff, Doc here, it sounds like you have the water temp sender with too much corrosion on the contacts. Clean the contacts and the connector that is located under the upper radiator hose, the ivory colored one, not the brown one. That should take care of the first question.

The other problem is that the hydraulic system is not functioning properly. Check the fluid in the clutch master cylinder. Is it black or low? Look inside the car under the dash foreword of the clutch pedal at the place where the rod goes through the firewall. Is it wet there? Look at the clutch slave and pull back the rubber boot to see if fluid comes out. If it does, it means that old age is on the attack of the hydraulics. If there are any problems replace both components, since if you only replace one the other will usually quit shortly thereafter. These are more than likely the original units and the situation that you are describing is a loss of clutch disengagement pressure. If the components show themselves to be OK then you need to bleed the clutch hydraulic system.

I hope that this helps you ...............
ZDOC OUT

"Almaguer, Jeff" wrote:

HI Doc. My Z is plagued by 2 problems:

Problem #1
The engine runs smooth for about 20-30 minutes after start-up then idles very rough! It sounds almost as though it is overheating but it isn't. If I turn off the engine, for whatever reason, and restart it it idles extremely rough and tries to quit. I've checked the thermostat, coolant and water pump but they are all working perfectly. The temp guage is at just passed 12 O'clock. Could it be a fuel pump or fuel filter problem?

Problem #2
Just after startup, my manual transmission responds without a hitch! After about 5 minutes or so it grinds going into 3rd and 4th (I have a 4 speed). What do I check? I am going to check my transmission fluid level tonight. If it appears to be ok what do I check next?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!


Sincerely, Jeff Almaguer