UnicornSeeker

Hello everyone,

I found a unicorn. A silver 2003 350z in pristine condition with only 40k miles. Hasn't been run in a few years, the owner replaced a few things (exactly what, I don't know yet) and started it up this summer - car started fine. Hasn't been driven in forever but garaged the whole time. I'm looking to buy it - but I know I should replace a bunch of lines and seals. Any advice on what I should replace? Completely new to restoring or fixing cars. I have to use the car in September so I have some time and my friend owns a shop so I can get it done for cheap.

Thank you all in advance for your help! Will post pics if the deal works out 😊

Jim Stephens

From a guy who bought a 2005 47k mile car.
1. Check the rear bushing where the Diff is mounted, see the black tear of death? Rubber fails and the silicon gel leaks out. Common failure point. New bushing, enjoy, fun project.
2. Check the plugs and see if any oil is leaking into the spark plug area rubber gasket around each plug tends to fail. You will need to replace the valve covers to correct this. If not, you will start to get a mis-fire and or coil failure. Common Issue, particularly on the driver side for some reason. Replace them both if you are in there.
3. Check the shocks for leakage. Two of mine have minor leaks. Just an age thing.
4. The usual, belts and hoses.

Those are the three things they found on my car. I got the first two done. New shocks coming soon. Really, not bad considering you have a 18 year old car. The rubber stuff, just ages..

jhc

I would put fresh engine oil and a new filter right off, but even more than that you should look at the mfgr date on your tires and check for dry rot. Personally I wouldn't ride on tires over 5 years old, a spirited ride might end in disaster if the rubber separates from the casing. Gl!

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

If there are no service records, all fluids should be considered suspect. Consider swapping tranny fluid with Redline MT85, new diff 75W-140 fluid, fresh antifreeze/distilled water, Bleed brakes and put in a good DOT 4 brake fluid. Read the DIY thread on changing all these items and you'll be better informed.

Jim Stephens

100 percent on that one! I checked mine and discovered they were 10 years old!!!

UnicornSeeker

Thank you SO MUCH! I will have all three replaced then. If the engine runs and doesn't throw any codes at idle, do you think it's safe to drive it to the shop or should I not risk it?

Will definitely put in oil and a filter! What if oil and filter were done in the summer? It's a close friend of mine's dad's car and he's rich so I trust his service records and that he did the oil and all that - very honest guy. Also same question - would it be fine to drive 5 miles to the mechanic shop or should I get a uhaul and tow it there.

Service records are on point but THANK YOU so much! This is the exact advice I need - will do all of these things and check the DYI thread!

Please let me know about driving to the shop and thank you all so much for the advice. If there are any common issues I can solve while fixing the rest bushing, valve covers, or shocks please please let me know.

jhc

If it's running well there's no need to tow it. When to change your oil is always a debate. A general rule is no sooner than 3K miles/no later than 5K for conventional oil. Synthetic is a little longer, mb 5/7.