280zx Turbo (1981) please help!

[golders]

Hello,

I run the website Total 200sx and I have had someone email me about his 280zx Turbo. Its not a 200sx I know but i thought you guys may have a good idea what the problem could be.

This is his email:

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"I have a 1981 Nissan 280ZX Turbo, I have done quite a bit of work to it as I purchased it very cheap and it is in great shape. However, now it starts and idles good, and seems to have decent power form a dead stop but the engine will not rev more than 3000 rpm and once it shifts into drive it will not pass 2500 RPM or 30 MPH, any ideas on what might be the problem?"

Thanks, Bob Persch
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Any ideas?

[crazy_eddie]

Don't really want to commit myself too much here, however my Silvia S12 hit a rev-limit of 2,500 rpm when my air flow meter failed.

These old 280sx's may have the same technology.

You could try

http://www.twinturbo.net/

or

http://www.300zx.co.uk/UBB/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro

Someone there may have had a 280 and know the symptoms and cure.

[J595HAS]

The Cherry Turbo's used to have a similar fault when the distributor packed in and it wouldn't advance, though I can't remember if the 280ZX used the same technology. Is it a Straight Six or a V6 ?

[golders]

It has a Straight Six Turbo Charged engine I believe.

[J595HAS]

I think the straight six used the same set up as the Cherry. Has he had any fault codes from the management system ? I have a engine diagnostic manual which I will dig out and see if there is any info :)

[Cowboy]

Hey chaps, I am the owner of the defunked 81' 280 ZX Turbo. I have been doing some guided tinkering and seen that the car will tack out if I operate the air flow meter manually. It still stuters on initial acceleration (next problem) but she will tack out and I can drive it better now. It does not want to idle since I adjusted th meter. Any more Ideas would be appreciated. If anyone has a big block chevy question let me have it, that is what I am used to playing with. This was such a good deal to buy ($500.00 US) that I could not resist the challange. And I love the way it will look when I get finished painting it and putting the skirts on it, and maybe a Kalimari Wing, not too raunchy. Thanks for all your input.

[J595HAS]

Depending on what model it is and what engine I could have more info to help you out. I have quite a bit of diagnostic info for some of the older Nissans / Datsuns. The 280ZX info that I have is for the S130 (1979-1984) with the L28 engine. If this is the model, I can give you stacks of tests to carry out on various components of your fuel and ignition systems.

PS Is it EFi or ECCS system ???

If it is an EFi equipped L28 I would check the following to start with in the listed order:

1. Air intake system for leaks & vacuum hoses for leaks.
2. Battery & engine earth connections.
3. Fuel injection wiring & connections.
4. Air flow sensor ( have info if required).
5. Coolant temp sensor ( have info if required).
6. Fuel filter & pump ( have info if required).
7. Fuel pressure regulator, pressure and delivery rate ( h.i.i.req).
8. Fuel injectors & injector resistors ( have info if required).
9. Throttle switch ( have set up info if required).
10. Idle speed & CO content ( have info if required).
11. Auxilary air valve ( have info if required).
:)

[Cowboy]

The 280 XZ Turbo that I have has a L28 inline 6 Cyl Fuel Injected with the ECCS system. I have continued to tinker and found that if I open up the airflow meter it idles like crap but sill rev out. If I close the Airflow meter back up to normal position it idles great but the tack stops at 2500 again. unfortunatly I am getting into the costly parts. Look forward to hearing from you again, Cheers!