Tru2Chevy Posted June 22, 2005 Report Posted June 22, 2005 So I finally got a chance to go check out that Z34 that I was talking about a while ago. The interior is perfect, the paint looks good (except for some oxidation spots on the hood), and it runs well. However the vibration in OD that I originally thought was the lockup might not be. It has a definete shake from 1500-2100 RPM in 4th, and as soon as you go higher than that, it goes away completely. It is also making a tapping sound unlike anything I've ever heard. The guy said it has been doing it ever since the engine swap (15k miles ago), and his mechanic doesn't know what it is. It is coming from the front of the engine, near the P/S pump. It is definetly not something in the bottom end. It's loud enough to hear outside or inside the car at idle, but not noticable at all when driving. The timing belt looks a bit worn, but it isn't shredding itself or anything. I took the car out for a short drive, feels pretty good. This was my first time ever in a 3.4 DOHC car, so I really wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't get a chance to really rip into it, but I found enough highway to go 3/4 throttle up to about 6k and I'm hooked on the sounds of this engine already! Anyway, here's some pics and a quicktime movie of the tapping. If anyone has any idea what it might be, let me know, because I need to make a decision about this car by this weekend. http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010001.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010002.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010003.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010004.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010005.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010006.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010007.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010008.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010009.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010010.JPG http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010011.JPG Quicktime: http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Z34/P1010012.MOV - Justin Quote
buckethead Posted June 22, 2005 Report Posted June 22, 2005 Looks like it's in good shape, but I would bring it to another mechanic to get the noises and vibration checked out.... Just make sure what you're getting into. Quote
Tru2Chevy Posted June 22, 2005 Author Report Posted June 22, 2005 Well, if you didn't read my post about it awhile ago, it has a blown p/s line, so no pressure in the system. I'd rather not drive it around much and risk damage to the pump/rack. My dad is a mechanic, but I don't wanna take it to him, since he doesn't want me to get a bew car anyway. FWIW - the owner and I have several mutual friends, and I'm quite sure that he wouldn't try to screw me over. The car comes with the wheels and snow tires that are on it now, along with a set of mounted BF Goodrich tires with 50% tread left, another 2 stock wheels, and a set of brand new Fusion ZRi's. He's offering up the car to me for about $1,000 without the 4 channel amp that is mounted in the trunk. - Justin Quote
z34_nut Posted June 22, 2005 Report Posted June 22, 2005 i just hope you dont end out having to buy a new tranny. that sucks, trust me I know Quote
LukeZ34 Posted June 22, 2005 Report Posted June 22, 2005 Bad tensioner pulley? Sounds like a bad bearing of some sort. Quote
Tru2Chevy Posted June 22, 2005 Author Report Posted June 22, 2005 Bad tensioner pulley? Sounds like a bad bearing of some sort. A pulley can make a ticking noise like that? - Justin Quote
jimmy91444 Posted June 22, 2005 Report Posted June 22, 2005 take the belt off and start the engine. If the noise is not there anymore ,it's one of the accessorie. If it's still there, it's in the engine . Quote
EurosportZ34 Posted June 22, 2005 Report Posted June 22, 2005 it's a '92 Z34, right? how many miles? it looks decent enuf! Quote
jeremy Posted June 22, 2005 Report Posted June 22, 2005 I would get the problem professionally diagnosed before even considering buying the car Quote
Tru2Chevy Posted June 22, 2005 Author Report Posted June 22, 2005 it's a '92 Z34, right? how many miles? it looks decent enuf! Nope, it's a '91, and the engine is from a '93. He lost the timing belt on the original, and it was cheaper for him and a friend to swap the engine than to have his mechanic replace the timing belt. The car has 90k miles, original motor was replaced at 75k miles, current motor was installed with 55k miles, now has 70k miles. I would get the problem professionally diagnosed before even considering buying the car The car is over an hour away, and I don't know any mechanics in that area. That's why I was just trying to see if anyone could recognize that tapping noise and give me some ideas. I'm gonna ask the guy to pop off the serp belt and see if it makes that noise go away. - Justin Quote
JoroCorona Posted June 22, 2005 Report Posted June 22, 2005 When my AC was low, the clutch would cycle on and off repeatedly from the low pressure switch. That might be the sound your hearing. Quote
BurneroftheRice Posted June 23, 2005 Report Posted June 23, 2005 wow, its really hard to find Z-34s with low miles Quote
Tru2Chevy Posted June 23, 2005 Author Report Posted June 23, 2005 When my AC was low, the clutch would cycle on and off repeatedly from the low pressure switch. That might be the sound your hearing. But would it make that noise with the A/C off? I think I'm gonna end up passing this car up. The guy was talking about possibly junking it if I don't buy it, so I may see if he'll sell me the tires and a set of wheels. Maybe the bucket seats too (Is it possible to use the center console and shifter from a 4T60e car in mine with the 3spd auto?). - Justin Quote
jeremy Posted June 23, 2005 Report Posted June 23, 2005 why not just suck it up and go as dear old dad to take a look at it....if it is something minor $1K is a good price Quote
Crimson Fury Z Posted June 24, 2005 Report Posted June 24, 2005 or tell the guy to part it out on this forum! Quote
Tru2Chevy Posted July 1, 2005 Author Report Posted July 1, 2005 I'm gonna ask him about a few parts from it (wheels tires, maybe front buckets). Anyone know if it would be possible to use the floor shifter with a 3 speed? - Justin Quote
Tru2Chevy Posted July 6, 2005 Author Report Posted July 6, 2005 Ok, I'm gonna call the guy tonight and tell him that I'm not getting the car, and I'm gonna ask him if he would be willing to part the car somewhat. He has already confirmed in a voicemail that he left for me earlier today that if I don't buy the car, he's gonna drive it to an auto recycler and get whatever he can for it. I'm gonna see if he'll sell me the ZRi's and the wheels w/snow tires. I'll try to get the headliner from him too. If there is anything else that you guys might want from this car, I'd be willing to get it from him and ship to you. The car must remain driveable, as he can't afford to tow it anywhere. - Justin Quote
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