G'day all,
I've got an 04 roadster with about 65,000 miles. I have looked after it the past couple years and the owner before as far as I can tell did too. I've got some plans for the Z but before I start dropping dollars on her, I was hoping to find out what the health of the engine is like after these15 odd years. A starting point pretty much. It fires up without a problem and doesn't blow smoke but that's about the extent of knowledge in regards to engines. I'd like to know more.

When checking out / listening to an engine, what signs do you look for? Any tests or info I can learn of would be awesome.

Thanks all

Tim

 

Check for leaking fluids and listen for any abnormal noises (ticking not related to the injectors or 'clunking' metallic noises)

Also, if you're not familiar with the process, take it to a reputable shop and have them perform a compression test. This will give you an idea of how well your internals are holding up.

 

yea ... compression and leakdown test will give you a good idea of how well the cylinders and valves seal.

You can run the car for the full oil life and send off an oil sample (to blackstone labs, for instance) and for $40 they'll tell you what's in the oil that should be and what's in the oil that shouldnt be.

You can remove the spark plugs and inspect them to know colors and to each-other for consistency

If your plans call for more power than just replace the injectors but if not, you could clean & flow test the OEM

Inspect the throttle body for any oil / residue / gunk at the butterfly valve.

clean the mass airflow sensor

replace the O2 sensors

...

in reality, you'll complete an awesome build and it'll be a $2 part that breaks that melts your car down (hopefully not) but enjoy the entire process ... "the journey is the reward"

 

One clarification on UOAs (used oil analysis) is that Blackstone (or other lab) usually need more than one sample to make many comparisons. That's because every engine wears in a different manner depending on multiple factors. The VQ engine series was precision designed and built, and with regular maintenance, should run at optimum levels for a long, long time!

 

Yes & no DK - Blackstone has database of results to compare to for main-stream engines ... it's not an exact science, but yes, every engine ages differently, different variables, factors, etc -

but they have good trends to get you close...

 

Thanks guys for the information. Gives me a great place to start. Being in Australia, I'm sure we would have similar services that can run these tests. Thanks again, Really appreciate it.

Cheers

Tim

 

If you hear your timing chain dragging you can put in a new primary chain tensioner. There's an access cover to reach it. No jacks needed.

 

The timing chain is something ive started being concerned about. Reckon its a little loose as sometimes when i crank her over cold it will get a rattle as the chain tightens up. Didn't know there was a way to tighten it, only a replacement. Shall look into that.
Thanks!

 

Glad that came in handy. Keep in mind that there's a very small screw that goes in while installing it. Use a magnet tipped screwdriver to put it in and be super careful. You really dont want it falling inside the engine.

 

Run it in the 1/4 mile. That will let you know how well the car is running and it only takes about 14 seconds.