Looking at the service manual they recommend an antifreeze with an ethylene glycol base, the cheaper traditional short life antifreezes fit this but always double check.

 

It is interesting that the zed is plagued with coolant leaks and for the last ten years longer life coolants have been made with more aggressive acids, that may be eating away at heater cores, rads and pipes!

 

So maybe to try and avoid the the problems with the zed it may be wise to :

 

use ethylene glycol antifreeze only

50/50 mix with distilled water only (not deionised)

Change coolant yearly

Another cause of failing heater cores and coolant pipes is electrolysis

 

I've been testing for electrolysis on most Zeds I get in our workshop for the last year or so and it seems to become a common problem...

Probably due to the age of the wiring, bad grounds and/or old/dirty coolant with lots of metal/rust particles .

 

Also the fact that for the series 1+2 models the injectors have a constant live power feed, even when the car has been shut off, helps the electrolysis eat away even more.

 

The test is very simple. Using a digital volt meter, connect the black or ground lead to the battery ground and lower the red or positive lead into the coolant in the radiator. Do not touch the filler neck sides or the tank (if you have a full alluminium aftermarket radiator). Any reading over .3 voltage is indicative of excess current entering the cooling system. Always perform the test twice, once with the engine off and all accessories off and once with the engine running and common accessories (radio, heater or A/C, lights ect.) on.

 

Grounding kits or engine ground straps and fresh coolant (to the specifications that Mark/Topless mentioned...never use plain water !) seem to work very well to tackle this problem.

If grounding the engine and fresh coolant doesn't help, it's best to remove all heavy duty fuses in the main fuse panel (under the bonnet, near the brake cylinder for RHD Zeds) and reinstall the fuses one at a time, while measering for voltage spikes or peaks in the coolant.

Once you detect a voltage spike, it's best to look into the service manual electric wiring schemes to see what accessories are behind that particular fuse, to pinpoint the cause of the votage spike.

Cheers Eric, are there any particular positions on the engine that you have regularly found to benefit from the earthing?

Fitting the wrong battery ( terminals wrongly spaced ) is also an issue where the earth lead does not reach and the connection to the body is undone leaving just a connection to the gearbox bellhousing, bad, bad, bad, but sadly very common.

 

So your saying long life antifreeze contains more acidic properties, check out this link from Bluecol, very informative and seems rather than long life coolant been the problem its mixing long and conventional that is, both are ethylene glycol based anyway but the long life one contains different anti-corrossion additives and when crossed mixed problems can occur.

 

http://www.bluecol.co.uk/index.cfm?page=75

 

In essence long life coolant is fine provided all traces of old coolant are flushed out first.

 

This is why we use Bluecol in the workshop as it mixes with ALL colours and does not produce nasty side effects.

 

Hope that clears up the misconception about long life coolant not been compatible with zed engines.

 

Jeff TT

I am sure all your cars will be absolutely fine.

 

Last time I talked to a Nissan Mechanic trained on the 300ZX, he said Nissan changed the service interval on flushing the cooling system to once a year, which would indicate using shorter life antifreeze.

 

There are also other reports of the longer life antifreeze attacking silicon sealant and rad caps seals are sometimes silicon based.

 

My concern is of the corrosive nature of some of the antifreezes (not with mixing different types) and it is evident on quite a few cars, here is some info from Wikipedia, I always find manufacturers sites a little optimistic.

 

"Organic acid technology

 

Certain cars are built with Organic Acid Technology (OAT) antifreeze (e.g., DEX-COOL[11]), or with a Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) formulation (e.g., Zerex G-05[12]), both of which are claimed to have an extended service life of five years or 240,000 km (150,000 miles).

 

DEX-COOL specifically has caused controversy. Litigation has linked it with intake manifold gasket failures in GM's 3.1L and 3.4L engines, and with other failures in 3.8L & 4.3L engines. Class action lawsuits were registered in several states, and in Canada,[13] to address some of these claims. The first of these to reach a decision was in Missouri where a settlement was announced early in December, 2007.[14] Late in March 2008, GM agreed to compensate complainants in the remaining 49 states.[15]

 

There are rumors that mixing DEX-COOL with standard green (non-OAT) coolant causes a chemical reaction that produces sludge in the cooling system. According to the DEX-COOL manufacturer, however, "mixing a 'green' [non-OAT] coolant with DEX-COOL reduces the batch’s change interval to 2 years or 30,000 miles, but will otherwise cause no damage to the engine."[16]

 

According to internal GM documents, the ultimate culprit appears to be operating vehicles for long periods of time with low coolant levels. The low coolant is caused by pressure caps that fail in the open position. (The new caps and recovery bottles were introduced at the same time as DEX-COOL). This exposes hot engine components to air and vapors, causing corrosion and contamination of the coolant with iron oxide particles, which in turn can aggravate the pressure cap problem as contamination holds the caps open permanently.[17]

 

Typically OAT antifreeze contains an orange dye to differentiate it from the conventional glycol-based coolants (green or yellow). Some of the newer OAT coolants claim to be compatible with all types of OAT and glycol-based coolants; these are typically green or yellow in color (for a table of colors, see [4])"

Ok see your point about the Nissan trained mechanic advising you of lower milage between coolant changes but not about hIm been a Nissan trained mechanic?? do you mean to say its a qualification requirement to understand antifreeze? and what relevents does that have to modern engines, and what relevents does modern design engines have to the z32 engine?

 

The Wikapedia text you pasted makes reference to Dex Cool in order to make the point about long life coolant been problematic, but the Dex Cool issue is a single issue with a certain manuafacture and in America it went legal, as per over there. ( see link below)

 

http://www.dexcoolsettlement.com/

 

Seems to me you have confused the original point your trying to make now with one that applies to modern engines and the company in the US when used on GM designed and built engines.

 

Low or non existant antifreeze mix percentage is more of an issue, and especially running a car, any car with a slow but persistant water leak that gets regularly topped up with fresh tap water full of oxygen, metal traces and chlorine.

 

The original point I think you were trying to make has many merits in been aware of coolant adatives, their purpose and the technical way they work and continue ( or not ) to work whilst circulating around our z32 engines and always a good point make at this time of year when antifreeze ( should call it coolant conditioner ) can be the last thing an owner thinks about but its important the year through.

 

 

Jeff TT

Jeff neither one of us has a PhD in antifreeze and I am sure you have made the right decision for your cars.

 

My concern is of the corrosion you often see on zed engines and maybe identifying the type of antifreeze as a potential problem.

 

I am sure the only people who can adamantly say whether one type is suited to their car is the manufacturer. But if you do a search for OAT antifreeze and silicon you will see references to this type of antifreeze and silicon seals not getting along.

 

I personally have nothing to gain or fear from whatever antifreeze anyone uses, my only objective is to help zed owners make their cars a little more reliable and maybe this might be something that can do that.

I always use halfords pre mixed stuff. it seem to work and my engine is nice and clean :lol::lol:

I always use halfords pre mixed stuff. it seem to work and my engine is nice and clean :lol::lol:

 

:nuke::nuke::nuke: :D

I aint got a clue what you are going on about :lol:

 

I thought anti freeze was all the same :confused:

Ive always used Toyota red forlife stuff with a Forte cooling conditioner on all my cars and touch wood ive never had a single problem with cooling systems.

This is the one recommended by Comma and doesn't use organic acids in it's make up.

 

http://www.commaoil.com/productsguide/view/6/353

 

Also if you look at this Bluecol extended life product it says not for use with classic cars, but whether the Z32 falls into this category is another matter!

 

http://www.bluecol.co.uk/index.cfm?product=111

Edited June 23, 201015 yr by TopLess

The "Bluecol extended life is suitable for most modern engine types, including aluminium"

 

The Z32 engine would fall into this category, however the clasic car term cannot be applied to the z32 engine with its multi valve and variable inlet cam timing etc.

 

The Blucol long life coolant is rated VW G12/TL774D this indictates it is a silicate-free spec equivalent and does not contain the same acidic properties of the afore mentioned DEX-COOL and also is phosphate free.

 

The standard Bluecol is fine as is Comma oil one.

 

Jeff TT

Excellent info thanks to all for sharing,

 

will defo be flushing ,my system ever year. Did fill with the right stuff and distilled water this time round, good to know!

I just assumed all the coolant leaks were down to 15-20 year old rubber, i got my zed 8 years ago and now all old rubber hoses have been replaced and plenum bypass done, it doesnt lose a drop.

I just assumed all the coolant leaks were down to 15-20 year old rubber, i got my zed 8 years ago and now all old rubber hoses have been replaced and plenum bypass done, it doesnt lose a drop.

 

There are also problems with the heater matrix, pipe work corroding and in some case radiators getting blocked but this could be electrolysis or unsuitable antifreeze or a combination of both.

There are also problems with the heater matrix, pipe work corroding and in some case radiators getting blocked but this could be electrolysis or unsuitable antifreeze or a combination of both.

 

Thought we had established there is no "unsuitable" antifreeze for the zed engine, either long life or regular, either way by changing every year as per the "Nissan trained mechanic" suggests all will be fine.

 

Jeff TT

I hope this post ends all the confusion that has descended on this this thread.

 

I was concerned over the newer OAT (Organic Acid Technology) potentially causing problems on the cooling system on the zed, and my initial investigations seemed to confirm my worries.

 

There has been questions about the issues on this thread and so I decided to delve a little deeper, after some people recommending a long life OAT type antifreeze.

 

I put in 300ZX into the Comma website and it came up as recommending a traditional short life antifreeze, = NON OAT

 

Jeff you argued your corner and vouched for the bluecol longlife antifreeze.

 

So I contacted Bluecol to see what the experts themselves recommend for the zed, and here is our conversation!

 

 

"Good Morning Mark,

 

We recommend for your car, our Bluestar 2 year Antifreeze. It is recommended you flush your radiator of the existing antifreeze and refresh with the new product.

 

Many thanks,

 

Could I be a pain and ask why you recommend that particular type of antifreeze, does the newer OAT (long life) type antifreeze have any downsides for this car?

 

Best regards

 

Mark

 

Hi Mark.

 

We recommend Blue 2 Year Antifreeze as your car is 18 years old. If the newer OAT Antifreeze was put into your radiator it may cause more harm than good. This may lead to leaks due to damaged seals. So we recommend the Blue Antifreeze as we know in older cars, it does the job perfect. If you have any further queries please feel free to contact me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like I said, I doubt if anyone on here has a PhD in Coolant, and hopefully this will help make some zeds a bit more reliable.

Edited June 24, 201015 yr by TopLess

 

Jeff you argued your corner and vouched for the bluecol longlife antifreeze.

 

So I contacted Bluecol to see what the experts themselves recommend for the zed, and here is our conversation!

 

"Good Morning Mark,

 

We recommend for your car, our Bluestar 2 year Antifreeze. It is recommended you flush your radiator of the existing antifreeze and refresh with the new product.

 

Many thanks,

 

Could I be a pain and ask why you recommend that particular type of antifreeze, does the newer OAT (long life) type antifreeze have any downsides for this car?

 

Best regards

 

Mark

 

Hi Mark.

 

We recommend Blue 2 Year Antifreeze as your car is 18 years old. If the newer OAT Antifreeze was put into your radiator it may cause more harm than good. This may lead to leaks due to damaged seals. So we recommend the Blue Antifreeze as we know in older cars, it does the job perfect. If you have any further queries please feel free to contact me.

 

 

 

Not sure where you got the idea I was promoting Bluecol long life anifreeze we do not use that for no other reason than value for money for our customers, as flushing would negates any point in buying long life antifreeze.

 

The first link I made showed the normal use antifreeze/ coolant conditioner the second link was to add more detail to the single product issue`s you speak about and the mixing of non OAT technology antifreeze.

 

As far as contacting Bluecol I can only applaud your tenacity for researching the points before posting further, however I do thing you wandered from your original point and keep returning to the OAT technology products when I have already shown not all long life antifreeze uses this so you cannot right off all long life coolant products.

 

I see Bluecol do not agree with your Nissan trained mechanic friend on coolant time changes, see this is the problem with main dealer training, its about making money for the dealership in the main.

 

Surfice to say I am sure the membership have gleamed a lot of useful information from this thread and its always refreshing to see an alternative viewpoint whether it`s from opinion,research or in our case real world experience.

 

Jeff TT

Edited June 24, 201015 yr by JeffTT

Not sure where you got the idea I was promoting Bluecol long life anifreeze we do not use that for no other reason than value for money for our customers, as flushing would negates any point in buying long life antifreeze.

 

Not sure if you use Bluecol longlife on zeds as the statement above is ambiguous, double negatives ?

 

As far as contacting Bluecol I can only applaud your tenacity for researching the points before posting further, however I do thing you wandered from your original point and keep returning to the OAT technology products when I have already shown not all long life antifreeze uses this so you cannot right off all long life coolant products.

 

I have done my bit and found coolants that are unsuitable for the zed and some that are, and I have also asked a couple of Nissan dealers and they don't sell a long life antifreeze for the zed!

 

You are saying all long life coolants are not the same so that doesn't rule them all out, it might be poignant for you to find a long life coolant suitable for the zed and let us know?

 

I see Bluecol do not agree with your Nissan trained mechanic friend on coolant time changes, see this is the problem with main dealer training, its about making money for the dealership in the main.

 

JFYI it was a revised service notice from Nissan Head Office and not main dealer training, as in the quote below.

 

.Last time I talked to a Nissan Mechanic trained on the 300ZX, he said Nissan changed the service interval on flushing the cooling system to once a year

 

 

I believe I have addressed any confusion, and I do hope the passionate nature of your replies is not indicative of any negativity, my only objective is to try and help zed owners via some research?

Ive told you all once and i will not tell you again,

 

Halfords ready mixed :lol::lol:

Ive told you all once and i will not tell you again,

 

Halfords ready mixed :lol::lol:

 

LOL you nutcase :D

:thumbup: