Haven't checked the coolant lately, as I haven't driven very much, and the Z started to overheat on Saturday. It actually took about 7 litres of coolant, don't know how I lost so much, but it's been a few months since I've checked :bash: . Anyway, I pulled off the highway near Mt Gravatt (Brisbane), and as I was waiting for a friend to come with some coolant another 300ZX slowed down and offered to help. I said no, because my friends were almost there, but it's nice to know other owners are so nice. I can't imagine another commodore driver would pull over to help another commodore, or any other kind of car come to think of it. So thanks to whoever it was, if they're on the forum.
7 litres? u sure u had any coolant left? Did u find where it leaked from? no head gasket probs? Regards Trev
Well, the radiator lid wasn't hot, and I was able to open it without coolant spitting out... But I think it holds about 11 litres from memory. And I filled it up and have driven over 100km since without losing any... Maybe someone's stealing my coolant... just joking, but it is confusing...
The highway would be lined with Holdens are far as the eye could see if they did that's why! Didn't you used to blame your Z31 for overheating? lol Coolant should be checked every week, and if not driven often at least every time you go out it should be checked first. Keeping a bottle of water in the car is a good idea too.
Hey, thats a pretty good memory you've got there, and yeah, I felt pretty stupid for not checking. I used to check the old Z31 all the time cause it always happened, but I guess I've been slack lately. Never had a single problem with the Z32, so I guess I got complacent. And I had about a litre of coolant, but not nearly enough...
back onto the loss of coolent.... (and off the stopping to pick up chicks) run your car in the garage (or on the drive) and check for coolent leaking but dont just give up after 5 mins. Wait for the engine to warm up, and keep checking. Some leaks dont manifest until the metal of the engine warms up (thats the nasty leaks that you dont want to know about.... but sorry to say... you need to check for them) Also once warm, give it some stick... It may be something that only leaks under pressure. My 180sx used to magically loose coolent over time. Was was happenind was it was a slow leak that would only start once the engine was warm.... but was so small, the coolent would evaporate off the surface of the metal... so for AGES.... no visible leak. That perticualr leak turned out to be a warped head, that only surfaced after a 1/4 mile run (which opened up the gap in the head). Not saying "DOOM ON YOU" just saying check. If you can't find the leak... do an oil change and make sure its not mixing with the oil. Bascially... you've lost coolent, and while its a horrid thing to do... you MUST find out why. Hopefully its as simple as needing a new rad cap.... or a easy to reach hose
as a zed owner i hope other zed owners would do the same as i did. Sorry to hear about the overheating.
I'm running my Z31 on straight water at the moment but the temp gauge still doesn't budge even on a 35C+ day in traffic! It doesn't matter how much you pour in, if it keeps running back out again! lol Get the whole system pressure tested to make sure you dont have a big leak somewhere.
Ive heard it described as "chocolate milkshake" or was that oil leaking into the coolent that produces that? A milky or rusty residue on the inside of the oil cap is another thing to look for. An exersise im yet to put the time into is, Im actually going to get some oil.... and add some coolent too it. See what it looks like and take some pics. Then do the same for the reverese....have coolent, and add some oil... see what that looks like (it will be diferent depending on what is the greater volume. At least then I'll know exactly what im looking for (...ish... dirty oil will of course look very diferent to clean oil)
Blaming a car for overheating when there's no coolant in it or other coolant system problems, is the same as blaming a car for breaking down because you didn't put any petrol in it.
hang on. are you honestly saying that these cars arnt "known" or have a bad design in there cooling systems?. honestly sick of hearing this crap day in day out, all this bullshit that if u take care of it, that it will be fine. these cars are known for overheating issues and there cooling systems fail much easier than other cars.
Did you even read anything in this thread? There was no coolant in it! Do you even own a 300ZX at all? lol
hmm..... the 95 Falcon I had over heated twice So thats twice as bad as my zed then My 180sx over heated....why? because a hose split Why? because it was 18 years old duh I havce a mofo FMIC blocking my rad and the Zed STILL does NOT over heat. Why? Because the FACTORY DESIGNED cooling system is currently WORKING If and when it fails it will be for one fo the following reasons 1) Age 2) Lack of maintenance 3) A hose popping under pressure while giving it stick (see above for preventative) Have you watched Gumball 3000 (the feature length one)? That guys Koenigsiig pisses all its coolent out hmm... must be a bad design
He doesn't get it, cars should magically fix themselves when they're 20 years old didn't you know? lol Now if the 300ZX overheated like crap the day it rolled off the showroom floor, I would agree but it didn't. Only the old neglected ones do.
