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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:42 pm 
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Posts: 1644
Hi All,

When I put the Z back on stands last night to tighten the squealing alternator belt, I was finally able to locate where the Oil drip is coming from. After swapping the stuff in the engine bay, the drip has gotten a bit more intense. After posting a couple of photos online, I've learned that the area that seems to be oil-filled is the Oil Pressure Sending Unit. I'm about 90% sure this is it. It'll drip all the way down to the transmission and drip all day long.

Questions:

Is this common?
Do I have to do an OEM replacement?
Is 84 a freak year for this?


Thanks,
Filipe


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:46 pm 
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Location: CT
I don't know about the 1984 Z, but the OPSUs on the S30 series-! cars were junk. They simply 'faded away' and failed to give accurate readings. Many owners replaced them with good mechanical pressure units, which immediately showed the cars having much more oil pressure than the stock unit showed, especially at idle in hot conditions.

That having been said, I never witnessed one leaking.

*Assuming* the '84 is the same unit as the '70 (probably not?), you might consider getting rid of it since it's junk anyway. Ask Bryan Little what brand his mechanical pressure unit is and get one like it. His works.

In the mean time, you could carefully put a wrap of plumber's tape around the stem of your existing OPSU and screw it back in to see if that stops the leak. If it's leaking from someplace other than the threaded stem, it's a dying unit. What does your OP gauge read?

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1970 240Z


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:05 pm 
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I've heard that the 84s were the the same as the late year 280zxt. Have not confirmed that anywhere though.

The stem is the only place it could leak from, correct?

OP Guage reads about halfway on the digital bars, can't remember exactly. I think it's slightly lower than 45.

I'll probably do an oil change soon anyway, and replace it then.

Do you think having the front end jacked made matters worse?


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:54 pm 
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Unless the body of the OPSU is damaged someplace, then the most likely place for it to leak would be the threaded neck. A roll of plumber's tape might cost you $2 or so. I carry a roll in my toolbox exactly for that reason, altho Ive never had to use it.

I can't think of why jacking the nose up should cause a leak.

Do you happen to be using synthetic oil?

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1970 240Z


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:29 pm 
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Yup, have the teflon tape in my box as well.

The leak was there before jacking it. But now I feel that it is worse.

Not sure on the oil. I've only had the car for 3.5 months, and haven't driven it much. Window sticker says it's about 2000 miles away from the next oil change...so I have yet to do an oil change on it.


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:59 pm 
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Synthetic oils will find leaks which dinosaur juice will not. Simply by replacing synthetics with fossil, you might avoid several minor leaks.

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1970 240Z


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 4:16 pm 
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Location: Rochdale, MA
I just had a OPS fail and start leaking on my wife's Subaru Outback. It threads in the head but was not leaking from there. The sensor itself failed and started to leak where the electrical connection met the threaded area. Bought a new sensor and fixed the problem.

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Adam Perry
Datsun 260Z
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:31 am 
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Thanks for the advice guyZ.

Adam, did you need to do an OEM replacement for it?


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PostPosted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:22 am 
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Location: Rochdale, MA
Nope bought it at my local auto parts store. I would have bought it at rockauto.com for a lot cheaper if I had the time. Check them out, it looks as though there are a couple different types for your car and the price ranges from $2 to $40.

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Adam Perry
Datsun 260Z
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:42 am 
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Haha, yeah I noticed that....$3 to $40 is quite a range...and if you include courtesy nissan it ranges all the way up to $260


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PostPosted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:59 pm 
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It seems like there's two types. One that has a plastic end, and one that has two prongs.

How do I know which to get, without first taking it out of my car?

Here are images of the types:


Thanks,
Filipe


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Screen Shot 2013-06-26 at 2.52.55 PM.png [ 66.7 KiB | Viewed 5816 times ]
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:37 pm 
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Just guessing ~ Pretty sure they would both have two prongs, one just has a protective plastic dam built around them.

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PostPosted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:41 pm 
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Hmm. Good point, hadn't thought about that.


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PostPosted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 4:19 pm 
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Location: Rochdale, MA
The one with the plastic end looks like a newer style and is actually a clip to secure it together. I would just look at your electrical connection and see what type you have. The one with the plastic end is exactly whats on my Subaru.

My question...

what is this one.

http://www.rockauto.com/getimage/getima ... ex/2G8.jpg

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Adam Perry
Datsun 260Z
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 4:48 pm 
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That sir, is the way-too-cheap-to-be-considered-as-an-option choice. :wink:


In all seriousness, no idea.


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