Is there any common place where water leaks on these 'zs'.I've noticed my water level going down gradually,and i can smell antifreeze when i sit and let the car tick over when i get back from work,(WITH THE DOOR OPEN).It's to dark to look when i get back, but i'm going to put the car up on the ramps the weekend.

 

cheers KEN ;-)

 

[This message has been edited by SHREK/ZX (edited 10-01-2002).]

My pet hate of late!

 

Try the hoses first, then the water pump, then the rad. Does it overheat. Take a look in the daylight after a good run and see if you can see any leaks under the bonnet, easier with the rad shroud removed. Be careful if you overheat the engine it could be very very expensive.

 

Cheers Roy

From the water pump bearing is a favourite, other than that from one of the many hoses that may have started to perish after all those years of hot and cold extremes under the bonnet.

Hi SHREK

You are not alone with this problem,I do remember one trick in the search for water leaks but it unfortunately needs to be done in dry weather (will we ever get any) it`s a case of emptying an inexpensive can of talc on all the suspect parts of the engine underneath as well, and when or if the pesky leak occurs you will have a tell tale run in the talc showing were it`s come from.

This method is actually better for finding leaks in boot area`s etc but you could try it. Good Luck matey

Jeff TT

Jeff,(top idea) i'll try it the weekend if we get a dry Saturday.

 

Thanks too all Ken

Hi SHREK/ZX,

 

Have you checked the expansion tank for the radiator? It is located behind the front passanger wheel arch, if there's fluid in your tank already, keep a note of the level and see if it drops.

 

I have just had to replace mine this weekend because it had a small hole in the bottom and I was getting the same problem as you.

 

Good luck!

 

Amer.

 

 

 

cheers Amer,i'll check it in the morning.Come to think of it,i put water in the over flow the other night & it seemed to leak out of it asif it flowed over the top, not the top of the filler,from inside the wheel arch,is'nt the expansion tank supposed to be a sealed unit)??????????.

 

Ken

Hi ya Ken,

 

Oh dear, problems with the cooling system is starting to be my middle name !

 

Keeping an eye on the water level in the expansion tank is necessary. I had a similar problem as what you've just described - water leaking out of the little tank. Most likely, and this is what happened on mine, the filler neck is not propperly inserted into the tank. Sounds strange but Nissan actually separated the two and it is very easy for the neck to become separated. Anyway, have a peek from the top of the engine to see if you can spot the disconnect or alternatively (and this has been critisized by a few people on the forum) remove the front wheelarch liner and you'll be able to see the expansion tank.

Anyway, hope this helps.

 

Danny

 

[This message has been edited by Danny (edited 13-01-2002).]

I had this on mine about 6 or 7 weeks ago - the car is STILL parked up the drive and hasn't moved since On mine its the bottom cores of the rad leaking very slightly - no significant water loss but there's NO chance I'm gonna drive it in that condition - if it develops into a larger leak I can't afford a new engine

 

Basically there is a pin hole leak in one of the bottom cores of the rad which is letting just enough fluid through to create the smell - the bottom of the rad was actually wet and with the car on ramps you could see a small drippage of fluid.

 

Hope this helps some....

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

 

Cheers Andy i'll check that out,i have'nt had time to look this weekend because i've been looking for a small car for the 'missis',found one this afternoon.

All hands back to the 'Z'.

 

Thanks Ken