Lindsey350z Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Hello, I have a 52 plate 350Z import. I have recently found out the engine has had it. The problem started with oil soiling the spark plugs mainly 1 and 3 on the left side, misfiring and a rattle when starting up. I understand from the garage the piston rings have gone and also the bearings on the rods. Is it worth getting it re built or am I better off buying a new or second hand engine? Also does anyone have any contacts or know who is best to contact? This is beyond my knowledge lol I'm checking the oil every few days to be on the safe side just don't know which way to go. Really appreciate any advice thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis_UK Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 (edited) Can we first decipher what you have stated? Oil on spark plugs, Got the T-shirt for that also. Can be fixed from aftermarket o-rings or new valve covers. A real Misfire should generally trigger EML if it is that bad. Common problems of Misfire include but limited to: Coil Packs (Should trigger EML if dead) Camshaft Sensors (Once again should trigger EML if truly dead) Spark Plugs (Completely dead/fouled etc) Rattle on start up could be ANYTHING, literally. The garge told you rings are gone? You can determine that, do you look like a choo choo train with blue smoke when accelerating down the road? What did he do, in terms of tests to claim both rings and rod bearings are gone? ####### If it is truly dead, it's down to your budget. £1500-£3000 will get you a working replacement engine in good order (from the right person) + fitting and fluids. Engine rebuild can run into double that, but you get peice of mind (of course, once again from the right person doing the work) Edited June 23, 2016 by Lewis_UK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsey350z Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share Posted June 23, 2016 Hello thanks for replying. Right no Eml come on, the coil packs and spark plugs are new and I have no idea re the cam shaft sensors. I was told the rattle was because of the bearings on the rods. I do look like a steam train but only when I first start him up generally in the morning it's not constantly smoking. No tests were done but they did recommend a flush followed by a oil change (I had done one in April but they changed the oil type) they also added an additive to it. To be honest it's much better since they did this but advised to get it re built. And that it was fine to drive as long as the oil was kept topped up. I ideally wouldn't want to spend much over £2500 roughly and had been told I would be looking at 5k at least hence seeking help here lol. Sorry I'm a bit vague with the technical bits im female and still learning. I have only had it since December I'm guessing it was spruced up to pass the viewings and I possibly got done all that said I love the car and would love to get it running properly I also don't want to pass it on to someone else unknowingly. Thank u for your help:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsey350z Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share Posted June 23, 2016 Also I have been removing the spark plugs to clean when it sounds like it has been misfiring and that sorts it till next time lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis_UK Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Sorry to say this Lindsey but I think you're being had over here, the evidence dont add up from this "garage"? Smoke on COLD start-up; White Smoke? (This is condensation and completely normal) Blue Smoke on the other points to valve seals being likely. "They recommended a flush" - DONT NOT do this. You will need to explain the rattle a little better or make a video. Is it hard knock near the top of the engine that you explain as a rattle? It should like they have no idea by trying to throw additives and engine flushing... This will lead you to a new engine. Will either need more info for myself or someone more senior to help on here or there is specialist garges for the 350z that are also on this forum, includes but not limited;Abbey Motorsport and Horsham Development. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopedmark Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Hi, can you post us a video of it all or send a message so someone on here can post it for you, that way we can help more , 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Re: Oil on the plugs ~ as Lewis said fairly common (I had it). Ended up replacing my cam cover gaskets & also the covers themselves which solved the issue of oil on the plugs. Link: http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/80780-new-nissan-cam-cover-assembly-vq35de/ Link: http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/80779-rocker-cover-gaskets-for-oil-leaks-vq35de/ I've just PM'd someone more knowledgeable than myself Lindsey to see if they can add to this thread for you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsey350z Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share Posted June 23, 2016 Thank u all so much the garage did carry out the flush. Ye I always described it as white smoke hangs about for a bit while idling then goes after a minute or 2 of running. Yes I will defo do a video il do it in the morning as I recently got home that way it will have the smoke in it too lol how do I post it on here? Thank u for your post Gm ballistic I shall look into that too. Feeling much better about it all now. The garage did recommend abbey motorsport. I will also give them a call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buster Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 pm sent 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 pm sent 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justthejedi Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Interested to know if this got sorted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veilside z Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Valve stem seals usually denotes the smokey issue, the knocking if it increases from say tick over, to 1500/2000 revs, then you are looking at the bottom end bearing, where a rebuild is required. Decent engines can be sourced for around £1200- £1500 depending condition and mileage, however a compression test is advisable. Engines can be fitted around £800-£1000. Hope all goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT350 Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 (edited) Not wanting more power? 2nd hand replacement engine. A company on eBay supplies a day fits one for 2500 quid and they welcome all inspections before you buy. Rebuild, a lot of labour and brand new parts involved. Time consuming and expensive parts. If wanting to go turbo then definitely uprated. http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/142027000236 Edited July 16, 2016 by TT350 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybp Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Not wanting more power? 2nd hand replacement engine. A company on eBay supplies a day fits one for 2500 quid and they welcome all inspections before you buy. Rebuild, a lot of labour and brand new parts involved. Time consuming and expensive parts. If wanting to go turbo then definitely uprated. http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/142027000236 I looked at these people when i blew my engine but didn't use them read some things i didn't like the look of bought an extremely good 2nd hand one with 40k on and fitted myself £1400 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT350 Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Not wanting more power? 2nd hand replacement engine. A company on eBay supplies a day fits one for 2500 quid and they welcome all inspections before you buy. Rebuild, a lot of labour and brand new parts involved. Time consuming and expensive parts. If wanting to go turbo then definitely uprated. http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/142027000236 I looked at these people when i blew my engine but didn't use them read some things i didn't like the look of bought an extremely good 2nd hand one with 40k on and fitted myself £1400 Can you fit my bottom end?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veilside z Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 I spoke to them last year before sourcing an engine from Clark Motorsport. They didn't give me any confidence especially when they didn't know the correct costings of their engines,, against what they were being advertised at. A cowboy outfit sprung to mind. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nievelc Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Hi Linds, Not sure what part of Kent you in but it maybe worth a trip to Abbey Motorsport in Oxted, these guys inspire a lot of trust with very experienced and diligent mechanics. I am sure they will take a quick look for free and let you know Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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