My 370z Crapped Out on Track

scruffydog · 03-09-2012, 12:31 AM

Hi guys,

I took my car to track January at Thunderhill. And less than 15 mins in the first session coming out of the last turn before the straight away my engine completely shut down. Prior to shutting off, the Service light flashed, then the LED display flickered (like Fast & Furious 2 when the car got hit with that EMP gun). The oil temp was reading just 220 degrees and it was relatively cold outside. I have a TRU COOL oil cooler and followed MODSHACK DIY in installing the oil cooler with the Ports facing downwards.

Now I'm curious as to why my car shut off and didn't go into Limp Mode first. My car also showed no error code when my friend plugged a portable unit to the ECU. I had to tow it back into the bay and I tried cranking it and it did not turn over. I kept trying it throughout the day and ended up flooding the engine and made things worst. I tried taking out the fuse to fuel pump and dry crank to air out the fuel. It took a total of 2 days before my car started back up and ran fine.

Anyhow, I'm not sure why and was hoping someone might have an idea. I'm thinking oil temp overheat? But why did it not go into limp mode? Now i'm thinking could it be oil pressure instead? I did install the Oil cooler with the port facing downwards, could it be the oil won't reach to the top of the core and if I take a turn too fast (last turn) the pressure could change and disables the car?

BTW:
I'm gonna take it in the dealer to check it out and I also already ordered the Setrab 34 row oil cooler as i know this might help with the issue.

Brazilbro · 03-09-2012, 01:49 AM

Fuel starvation, how much gas did you have in the car?

scruffydog · 03-09-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazilbro

Fuel starvation, how much gas did you have in the car?

I had a little under half a tank

brucelidat · 03-09-2012, 04:00 AM

It's not an oil temp issue if you didn't even go over 220. No need to jump the gun and spend extra money on the 34 row just yet. As Brazilbro said, it could be fuel starvation. I don't think it gets all that hot up in Norcal. If you start running a 34 row cooler, you're going to have the reverse problem with oil temps not getting high enough in your daily driving.

brucelidat · 03-09-2012, 04:00 AM

I'm no expert, though, so do a search on fuel starvation and read up on it.

flashburn · 03-09-2012, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scruffydog

Hi guys,

I took my car to track January at Thunderhill. And less than 15 mins in the first session coming out of the last turn before the straight away my engine completely shut down.

Long right hander? If so, it's likely just fuel starvation. Odd that it took so long to get it started again. What was your gas tank level at?

ryan0 · 03-09-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashburn

Long right hander? If so, it's likely just fuel starvation. Odd that it took so long to get it started again. What was your gas tank level at?

that turn is a pretty tight double right..

like everyone is saying... its either fuel or electrical.

Mike · 03-09-2012, 07:39 AM

Just curious, why did it take over a month to post about it? How has the car behaved since this happened? It was more than likely fuel starvation. When mine died on track the first time I experienced it, it took a long time before I could restart it. I think that once the car senses it is out of fuel, it won't restart until something internally resets.

TerribleONE · 03-09-2012, 10:56 AM

+1 for a fuel issue.. thats what it sounds like to me

scruffydog · 03-09-2012, 11:16 AM

I did post something but it was awhile back and it was under oil temp overheat. I just assumed it was oil over temp because I researched and found that the reading on the 370z gauge was the return line so I'm thinking there is a possibility that although it's reading 220 it could be running hotter, which led me think it could be an oil temp issue. I am pretty sure it was reading 220 but even if it’s reading 240 degrees, it shouldn’t be oil temp issue right? Cuz it should still put it in limp mode first. I thought I read somewhere that some people didn't get put into limp mode until it reached 260. (FYI, it was a pretty cold morning and it was the 1st session after 15 mins of driving around following the instructor in the beginner's group.)

After I towed it back home (2 days later) The cars been driving fine as a daily driving. I’m surprised everyone say it could be fuel starvation because it had over a quarter tank of gas inside.

The reason it took so long for it to boot up again is because I think I flooded the engine by none-stop cranking my car to start after the ECU disabled the car. I believe the Fuel pump was still providing fuel even though the ECU didn’t allow the car to restart.

I will take my car in to have this checked out, I believe the Nissan techs could see what kind of error code it put into the car before it crapped out. However I’m not sure if I should take the oil cooler kit off because Nissan might give me crap about me voiding warranty. Any advice here guys?

As for the oil cooler, none of you guys think that flipping the ports downward could create an issue? During installation, I didn’t fill up the oil cooler core with oil because I’m installing it upside down so I’m relying on the Engine’s pressure system to push oil through the core and circulate. I checked the oil dip stick to ensure there’s enough oil. But now today got me thinking, what if the core never filled up completely with oil? Will the oil pressure inside the core while undergo a turn fluctuate so much it will affect the ECU to shut off the car?

harman.khinda · 03-09-2012, 11:18 AM

so how to prevent this from happening in the future? i'm guessing the cheapest way is to keep a full gas tank.

cossie1600 · 03-09-2012, 11:19 AM

We get fuel starvation at 75% full........

ImportConvert · 03-09-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

We get fuel starvation at 75% full........

Serious? WHY!? We were tearing it up at Spring Mountain in C6's with the "low fuel" indicator flashing in the HUD and didn't have any issues. Weird.

I have also heard my G20 has starvation issues. I never encountered it, even on LOOOONG right-hand on-ramps with 2 gallons in the tank.

Red__Zed · 03-09-2012, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Serious? WHY!? We were tearing it up at Spring Mountain in C6's with the "low fuel" indicator flashing in the HUD and didn't have any issues. Weird.

I have also heard my G20 has starvation issues. I never encountered it, even on LOOOONG right-hand on-ramps with 2 gallons in the tank.

Why?

172 Fuel Tank :: Fuel & Engine Control :: Genuine Nissan Parts :: 370Z Parts (Z34) 2009-2012 :: Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com

Red__Zed · 03-09-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

After I towed it back home (2 days later) The cars been driving fine as a daily driving. I’m surprised everyone say it could be fuel starvation because it had over a quarter tank of gas inside.

It's easy to starve with a half tank, tracking with a quarter tank almost guarantees starvation.

03-09-2012, 12:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
scruffydog A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,113 Drives: with his eyes close Rep Power: 717	My 370z Crapped Out on Track Hi guys, I took my car to track January at Thunderhill. And less than 15 mins in the first session coming out of the last turn before the straight away my engine completely shut down. Prior to shutting off, the Service light flashed, then the LED display flickered (like Fast & Furious 2 when the car got hit with that EMP gun). The oil temp was reading just 220 degrees and it was relatively cold outside. I have a TRU COOL oil cooler and followed MODSHACK DIY in installing the oil cooler with the Ports facing downwards. Now I'm curious as to why my car shut off and didn't go into Limp Mode first. My car also showed no error code when my friend plugged a portable unit to the ECU. I had to tow it back into the bay and I tried cranking it and it did not turn over. I kept trying it throughout the day and ended up flooding the engine and made things worst. I tried taking out the fuse to fuel pump and dry crank to air out the fuel. It took a total of 2 days before my car started back up and ran fine. Anyhow, I'm not sure why and was hoping someone might have an idea. I'm thinking oil temp overheat? But why did it not go into limp mode? Now i'm thinking could it be oil pressure instead? I did install the Oil cooler with the port facing downwards, could it be the oil won't reach to the top of the core and if I take a turn too fast (last turn) the pressure could change and disables the car? BTW: I'm gonna take it in the dealer to check it out and I also already ordered the Setrab 34 row oil cooler as i know this might help with the issue.

03-09-2012, 01:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Brazilbro A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,131 Drives: Juke/240Z Rep Power: 848	Fuel starvation, how much gas did you have in the car? __________________ Juke AWD/240Z SR20 08 Evo 10(Stage 2) SOLD Fastest Sport 6spd 370Z 11.8 @126.5SOLD

03-09-2012, 04:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 30	It's not an oil temp issue if you didn't even go over 220. No need to jump the gun and spend extra money on the 34 row just yet. As Brazilbro said, it could be fuel starvation. I don't think it gets all that hot up in Norcal. If you start running a 34 row cooler, you're going to have the reverse problem with oil temps not getting high enough in your daily driving. __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

03-09-2012, 04:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 30	I'm no expert, though, so do a search on fuel starvation and read up on it. __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

03-09-2012, 07:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2185	Just curious, why did it take over a month to post about it? How has the car behaved since this happened? It was more than likely fuel starvation. When mine died on track the first time I experienced it, it took a long time before I could restart it. I think that once the car senses it is out of fuel, it won't restart until something internally resets. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

03-09-2012, 10:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
TerribleONE A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 10,203 Drives: WOT Rep Power: 5850	+1 for a fuel issue.. thats what it sounds like to me __________________ 638WHP 541WTQ @ 13.5PSI Build thread

03-09-2012, 11:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
scruffydog A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,113 Drives: with his eyes close Rep Power: 717	I did post something but it was awhile back and it was under oil temp overheat. I just assumed it was oil over temp because I researched and found that the reading on the 370z gauge was the return line so I'm thinking there is a possibility that although it's reading 220 it could be running hotter, which led me think it could be an oil temp issue. I am pretty sure it was reading 220 but even if it’s reading 240 degrees, it shouldn’t be oil temp issue right? Cuz it should still put it in limp mode first. I thought I read somewhere that some people didn't get put into limp mode until it reached 260. (FYI, it was a pretty cold morning and it was the 1st session after 15 mins of driving around following the instructor in the beginner's group.) After I towed it back home (2 days later) The cars been driving fine as a daily driving. I’m surprised everyone say it could be fuel starvation because it had over a quarter tank of gas inside. The reason it took so long for it to boot up again is because I think I flooded the engine by none-stop cranking my car to start after the ECU disabled the car. I believe the Fuel pump was still providing fuel even though the ECU didn’t allow the car to restart. I will take my car in to have this checked out, I believe the Nissan techs could see what kind of error code it put into the car before it crapped out. However I’m not sure if I should take the oil cooler kit off because Nissan might give me crap about me voiding warranty. Any advice here guys? As for the oil cooler, none of you guys think that flipping the ports downward could create an issue? During installation, I didn’t fill up the oil cooler core with oil because I’m installing it upside down so I’m relying on the Engine’s pressure system to push oil through the core and circulate. I checked the oil dip stick to ensure there’s enough oil. But now today got me thinking, what if the core never filled up completely with oil? Will the oil pressure inside the core while undergo a turn fluctuate so much it will affect the ECU to shut off the car?

03-09-2012, 11:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
harman.khinda Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Red Bluff, CA Posts: 378 Drives: 10 Nissan 370 PG 7AT Rep Power: 6723	so how to prevent this from happening in the future? i'm guessing the cheapest way is to keep a full gas tank.

03-09-2012, 11:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	We get fuel starvation at 75% full........

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