I know my name is Mus5.0...but anyway i recently purchased a '77 datsun 280z from a nieghbor for $200 in pretty good overall condition but it wasnt running, the nieghbor said it didnt run because it need the mass air flow meter. Now i am fairly new to cars since i just turned 16 and was wondering what a mass air flow meter is and how much i should expect to spend on it? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

(sory a bout the spelluing) have u tried to loock up the parts on jegs or summit u might Even look out by finding one at the junk yard.check at thees places thay shuld have it. o the mass air flow censer just tells the cars comp how much air is coming in to the block so it noes how hutch fuel it deliver.

 

Yeah just go to a junkyard and pick one up. Those things always go out. My pops had to change them on every Z that he had. If you go to a junkyard to get one, make sure that it has never been open.

 

hondas run off a map sensor, nissans run off a maf sensor, check ebay, they have good prices on them

 

A fellow (soon to be) Z enthusiast, welcome.

I replaced one of those in my 79, they seem to be a common problem. A junkyard is a good place, but Z's are hard to come by these days so here's a few internet resources for Z stuff:

http://www.zcar.com/ <- check the classifieds
http://www.motorsportauto.com/ <- when you need new parts
http://www.znzx.com/parts.php <- used parts, decent prices
http://www.hybridz.org/ <- new classifieds section, it will pick up I imagine
http://www.classiczcars.com/ <- fairly popular forum

There are also 2 Z lists on Yahoo Groups that are a great place to find cheap used parts. Often, ridiculously cheap.

Along with the Air flow meter, the ECU may be hosed. Depending on the state of the frame and other rust prone areas it may be a better idea to simply get rid of the car as it will quickly turn into a huge money pit. If you've got the time and the money, go for it. If not, get rid of it right now.

 

Thanks guys, how much time should i expect to take on replacing the air flow meter? And would it be difficult? rapid_roy the Z, overall, is in good condition its mostly been kept in a garage when parked. so i dont belive there is any rust but ill check.

 

bump..

 

I don't have a Z but I don't think it would be too hard to replace that. The one on my girl's mazda is on the air intake tube, just a little box that pops open if I remember correctly. But if you do decide to buy it and fix it, definitely get a repair manual for it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mus5.0 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks guys, how much time should i expect to take on replacing the air flow meter? And would it be difficult? rapid_roy the Z, overall, is in good condition its mostly been kept in a garage when parked. so i dont belive there is any rust but ill check.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's easy, 10 minutes tops.

The Z overall is an easy car to work on with the biggest problem being rusted bolts so keep a can of PB Blaster handy.

Also, get a factory Z manual. Not the Haynes or Chilton's but a *real factory Nissan manual*. Yes it costs more but when it comes to troubleshooting problems (especially fuel injections issues), it is priceless.

 

If you need one i got one.

 

oh yeah, I forgot to say I don't think that is the reason it's not running. it would still start and run i'm pretty sure if that were the problem

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by whizdumb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">oh yeah, I forgot to say I don't think that is the reason it's not running. it would still start and run i'm pretty sure if that were the problem</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe, when mine went bad the car ran like *** but it would start. When the AFM goes bad it usually results in a rich condition so it may not start because the plugs are fouled badly, after awhile mine refused to start until I changed/cleaned the plugs.

Before you replace the AFM, check the connections and clean them as necessary. Sometimes a corroded connector can make the part look faulty. It's a long shot as you said the car has little rust, I am just used to dealing with Z's that have 30 years of New England weather so I always check those first.

Also, the Z's don't like vacuum leaks so make sure you've got good vacuum.