ok so I have an 08 350z with about 115k miles on it. Recently I've had problem after problem unfortunately. Right now I'm throwing the code for engine misfire on all cylinders, but the car seems to run fine. I've also recently had an oil leak which is annoying, mechanic says he thinks it's from rear main seal. And just today my car started to grind when I put it in 3rd gear. It would do this occasionally but now it's like everytime. I know it's probably a bad syncro but it's so depressing. I am still making payments about 4K left and I just don't know what to fix first. I wanted your guys opinions on what I should go about doing first? I'm 18 going to school so I don't have a lot of money. I do have a job and can save up but I need some guidance haha. All of this is really depressing I don't want to sell my car I've put so much money into it already. What would you guys do? Thanks a lot

 

Hindsight but I hope it's not your daily and only car. Also seems like you didn't budget for repairs. I would park the car until it's all fixed to be honest.

 

Assuming you have another car just drive it until you resolve these issues. Depending on how much oil is leaking will determine how important it is to fix that. keep an eye on the oil level or have a mechanic do a clean and recheck on the leak to verify where its from. Shouldn't guess and throw parts at a car. I assume you cleared the code for the misfire and it came back immediately or quickly after? If not clear the code and see if it comes back. If so a mechanic shop should charge a diagnostic fee which should include what the issue is, how urgent the repair is, cost, etc. If the check engine light is flashing then that means the car shouldn't be driven at all. The grind sounds like a bad syncro so not much to do their as the damage has already been done. The trans will need repairs to fix that issue but i wouldn't consider it urgent. You could also consider swapping for a new trans (not sure on pricing) the newer 350zs got a better trans that supposedly helped prevent synchro failure so if you have an older Z like a 2003 you may consider making the upgrade. until then you can continue to drive with the trans issue but it will continue to grind until eventually the shifter may no longer stay in 3rd (someone correct me if there is an issue driving with a bad snychro). You could also skip 3rd gear when shifting (shift from 2nd to 4th) to prevent the noise and further wear. Have a mechanic check over you car and figure out how urgent the issues are. Don't drive the car and make issues worse and make the fixing cost go up.

 

he is 18, he prob doesnt have another car. if it were me, i would start with the oil leak, then change all the spark plugs (prob never been done), then i would flush and fill the trans to see if the fluid just needs to be changed (prob never been done either)

 

Replacing would just be throwing parts at the car hoping it will fix it when theirs a very good chance it wont. This is the expensive way to fix cars. Part after part until you figure it out. Its doubtful the spark-plugs are the problem as he has a misfire in all cylinders not just 1. The chances of all spark plugs failing at the same time due to normal wear seems very unlikely. Bad spark plugs would also cause bad fuel mileage, noticeably less power, and a rough idle, but the OP says he has noticed no change in the car's performance. If the car is indeed due for spark plugs he might as well due them but i don't see that fixing the issue, and he may as well do the plug wires at the same time too. And id guess theirs more items overdue on the car as well but considering the op's circumstances, lack of daily driver (we think), and lack of funding I wouldn't press any of those either.

Not trying to argue i just don't want parts that aren't broken fixed. I'd be happy to hear why replacing the spark plugs would fix the issue

 

Two of the three things i listed are preventative maintenance, far from throwing parts at it

 

I agree entirely with what you have said about the oil leak and trans. And replacing spark plugs should absolutely be done as preventative maintenance. I do agree the plugs should be replaced now if they have note yet been done. I don't see how replacing the spark plugs will solve the issue though.

 

It may, it may not...but it will rule them out.

but sinve he has the hr, he should stick with oem iridium

 

1. I am still making payments about 4K left and I just don't know what to fix first.
2. I'm 18 going to school so I don't have a lot of money.
3. I need some guidance haha.

Okay, I'll bite.

Sell this car for $6K, disclosing the known issues and pay off your financing (you shouldn't finance a used sports car that's expensive to maintain... EVER.)

Spend the $2K you pull from the deal on a used, reliable, beater Honda or Toyota.

Realize that at 18, you can't always get what you want.

 

RE:> Right now I'm throwing the code for engine misfire on all cylinders, but the car seems to run fine.
Don’t worry about it if you get a code without any symptoms. Clear the code; and if it comes back, investigate for other causes.

RE:> I've also recently had an oil leak which is annoying […]
You want to deal with this problem now. But, you can monitor the oil level and add as needed for now. This problem could be related to the undiagnosed “code for engine misfire on all cylinders.”

RE:> And just today my car started to grind when I put it in 3rd gear.
This is the least of your problems. A failing synchromesh won’t strand you at the side of the road. You can eliminate the grind by matching engine RPM to speed. Simply “blip” the engine while shifting. You will be surprised how quickly and effectively you accomplish a shift without the grind. The elderly readers here remember the days when there wasn’t effective synchromesh.

Hoping this helps and is useful…

 

Preventive.

 

if 3rd gear is bothering you rev up on 2nd and shift directly to 4th. Another option is to speed shift....us older guys know what that is about. I used to have to speedshift when my 83 mustang 5.0 kept breaking clutch cables. Oil leak possible fix might be using a leak sealer...there are several products out there. Good luck.

 

Hey now. You watch your tongue about old guys. There are a lot of them on this site, and they're probably reaching for their "cheaters" right now so they can see the keyboard to type a response.

 

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...... I got 20-20 for everyday stuff like driving and avoiding trees while walking. But to read my cellphone or cornputer, needs me my readers or a very intense light on the text. Thank goodness for my iPhone's flashlight when in restaurants.

But yeah, all good, at least Jim said it in self dep/inclusive mode. Laff....