About 6 months ago I developed two codes for my engine. One was miss on cylinder 2 and the other was a knock sensor failure. I sort of investigated and found that beneath my lower plenum with the plastic engine cover removed there was a dense rat nest. After vacuuming and blowing, I saw the knock sensor was chewed from the wires. Using the videos on Youtube I was finally able to replace the plug with a metal reinforced "rat proof" wire so my dilemma was apparently not unique. However the cylinder 2 was still missing. I replaced the coil pack and spark plug and saw much oil on the plug. No change. So for 6 months I have studied all of the excellent videos on replacing the valve covers. Finally, I made my move to dive in. I ordered covers from Z1 motorsports and gaskets. I also decided to install a plenum spacer and an oil catch can. This was to be the biggest engine undertaking of my life. Yesterday I successfully remove the upper plenum and today the lower.

The number 2 cylinder area was covered with rat nest stuff-in fact the entire area beneath the fuel rail was stuffed and the fuel injector plug wire had been chewed. Quite a surprise but thanks to youtube not overwhelming. More parts are on order and despite the obvious cause of cylinder 2 failure I will still replace the valve covers. There are fewer youtube videos about fuel injector wires being chewed but again this is not a unique finding.

Any other suggestions for investigation or upgrades while I am this deep into the engine. I wonder about new seals for the fuel injectors. The car has 78,000 miles.

Thank you for all of the threads going back almost 20 years about doing this job. It's kind of exciting for a 76 year old tinkerer. 2004 touring 350Z.

George
Arizona

 

No suggestions yet.

This project has been enjoyable and I hope I can get the engine back together. I removed the #2 cylinder coil pack which was soaked in oil when I replaced it six months ago. This coil pack was dry!!! But the #6 cylinder coil pack was soaked in oil. However, there are no error codes for this cylinder. So now I have a soaked cylinder 6 and a chewed fuel injector wire for cylinder 2.

The valve covers arrive Monday and I painted the plenum with some 500 degree aluminum cast silver duplicator . It look great.

So far so good.

George
Arizona