Buying a 350z - engine abuse....

[ukrickk]

Hi,

 

So hello :-)

 

i'm looking for a 350 - having finally decided to push the boat out :-) I've been lurking around the forum and researching for awhile, but one question that alludes me is... if you shouldn't run the 350 on 95 RON, and I'm buying say a 60k 350, is there anyway to tell if the engine's been run on 95 RON all it's life and is ready to pop? Is it just "listen for any knocking sounds" etc or are there key things I should look out for please?

 

Thanks for any help - looking forward to finally owning one of these lovely cars

[Gball1973]

to the forum, there is a buying guide in the F.A.Q. section - not sure if this exact question is in there. Hope you find a good one

[DannyBoy]

Only way to tell really is a visual inspection of the piston faces, which can be done by endoscope. I had this dilemma when buying my car but I reasoned that as the engine hadn't gone pop yet, and wouldn't be subjected to any more knock from low octane fuel, it SHOULD be ok. But I also have a 'new bottom end' credit card on standby just in case, lol.

 

DB

[DoogyRev]

Welcome Along

[brillomaster]

get the current owner to put some petrol in, then see what he puts in it. that'll tell you what its been run on for his ownership at least

[M13KYF]

[spursmaddave]

There have been very few cases even on here where almost everyone has a 350z so I wouldn't get too paranoid.... If you are buying private you could ask a few leading questions to see if the seller has been using 95 and if they were aware of any problems.... then run if they have

[ukrickk]

wow - you're a nice bunch :-) and hello back! I think you're right, I shouldn't worry too much as I won't add to any further damage if any's been caused. I'll definitely ask the question, "is it right you have to run these on premium fuel, or does it not really matter?" and see what they say If they say, "ah no, I've been running it on 95 for years" then i'll be out of there.

[bronzee]

Pop a message up in Welcome's so everyone can say hi, in the right place, then won't get messed up with your informative thread.

[bigmike20vt]

say what? is that really true that you should not use 95ron fuel in a standard unmolested road car?

 

I find that hard to believe, esp as the engine is the same as the one used in the nissan people carrier thing, which is hardly geard for performance.

 

i know pinking can happen in some highly tuned cars but........................

 

 

 

I always use either super or V power, but that is not because i thought I HAD to!.

[Keyser]

say what? is that really true that you should not use 95ron fuel in a standard unmolested road car?

 

I find that hard to believe, esp as the engine is the same as the one used in the nissan people carrier thing, which is hardly geard for performance.

 

i know pinking can happen in some highly tuned cars but........................

 

 

 

I always use either super or V power, but that is not because i thought I HAD to!.

 

 

No - I think you mis-read - keep using the super

[NeilMH]

It is recommended that you use super unleaded but normal unleaded can be used in an emergency.

[bigmike20vt]

good to know.

 

Thanks. (I have used it once in my 18 months of ownership when the station had run out of the good stuff)

[Shinjuku]

Hey Mike - a thread with you on it at last! Good to see you keeping the 20VT faith alive on here.

[bigmike20vt]

lol

 

I must admit I do not post much. Too many forums and not enough time