Pre-Purchase questions

[DucatiDon]

Looking at a low mile (20k) 1990.

Can one tell if the injectors have been replaced visually? Symptoms of a failed or failing injector?

Other than the things already shared in previous threads ( yeah I can use the search button) anything significant to watch out for?

[wfot]

to look for visually;
1)looking at the passenger side of the front of the engine, look for the parting line between the plenum and the housings, there you should see the fuel rail test port and the front injector. if it looks stock, it probably is stock. if it looks like and accel/FRC.. ect, it has probably been replaced.
2) ask for service records and WHO did it... if it was a shop no one has heard of or a place known here to not be LT5 savvy, there might be some collateral damage done when the plenum was removed. such as high idle or vacuum leaks or rough idle
symptoms;
1) rough/choppy idle. these are very very smooth engines. a bad primary injector will sound like a knock or valve tap and you will think the motor needs to be replaced based on the sound
2) a bad secondary injector will be a lack of power when the engine should be in full power mode. this means you will have to stomp on it, with the power key on and full power light on... and be familiar with what the difference is between valet and full power mode. if you know what to expect, great - if not maybe there is a forum member that can tag along to help with the inspection. I know there are a lot of very generous members out there and someone might be willing to help.
3) I would make sure you take it on a test ride and get it warm/run the engine up to full operating temp, THEN let it sit off for at least 20 to 30 minutes. this will let the engine heat soak, then restart it, if it idles/drives differently/poorly once hot, this would indicate that the injectors failing from the heat soak. again test low and high power modes. 8 primary injectors are used for low power and all 16 are used for full power.
4) if an injector has failed in the open position, there should be a raw gas smell from the exhaust

hope this helps. if you have a concern, maybe take a video and post it..

John

[tccrab]

I live in Folsom, let me take you for a spin in my '90 so you can see/hear/feel exactly what a Z should be.
Ill be glad to inspect the car for you.
Is it local?

Send me a private message with your contact info, ill be around on Sunday.


Just saw your posting on the CF, dug around Craigslist and found the car.
It's a twin of mine and around the same mileage. Mine is #792, that one is 709. Built within a week or two. Not a bad price for a 20k mile car ($29,500)

Looks extra clean and well kept.
Buy it, you will not look back.


Crabs

[wfot]

told you there are good people around

perfect

[DucatiDon]

sent on CF

503-442-5244


Ill be around all day.


D

Originally Posted by tccrab

I live in Folsom, let me take you for a spin in my '90 so you can see/hear/feel exactly what a Z should be.
Ill be glad to inspect the car for you.
Is it local?

Send me a private message with your contact info, ill be around on Sunday.


Just saw your posting on the CF, dug around Craigslist and found the car.
It's a twin of mine and around the same mileage. Mine is #792, that one is 709. Built within a week or two. Not a bad price for a 20k mile car ($29,500)

Looks extra clean and well kept.
Buy it, you will not look back.


Crabs

[DucatiDon]

CarFax is clean. Looks like it was off the road from 2009-2019. Failed a bunch of emissions tests in December (probly when it was being prepared for sale and sold) and passed in February.
Only accumulated 500 miles in those 10 years.

[tccrab]

Don:

That's too bad, it looked pretty good in the pictures.
It would be interesting to know what they did to get it to pass, and what was failing in the SMOG tests.
NOx's and HC's are the usual culprits, anything other would be a huge red flag.
Personally, I'd be getting cold feet on the deal, I'd expect a fully sorted out car at the price point they're asking.

'Crabs

[DucatiDon]

Agreed.


And the fact that after sitting for 10 years all they have done is a battery and tires, makes driving it home less attractive.

Car will need a lot of freshening up.

Originally Posted by tccrab

Don:

That's too bad, it looked pretty good in the pictures.
It would be interesting to know what they did to get it to pass, and what was failing in the SMOG tests.
NOx's and HC's are the usual culprits, anything other would be a huge red flag.
Personally, I'd be getting cold feet on the deal, I'd expect a fully sorted out car at the price point they're asking.

'Crabs

[Z51JEFF]

I've already stated on the other site,for that kind of money I'd keep looking. For $30K you would be able to find a car with under 10,000 miles. Here's some motivation for you. [IMG][/IMG]

[DucatiDon]

I have found 7 red 1990s for sale.

The top 5 are:
Minnesota 33k for $20k
North Carolina 34k for $22k
New Jersey 41k for $26k
Upland CA 57k for $23k
Nevada 51k for $21k