My Z has just started making a hollow gurgly noise (like you get when water drains down a plug hole). It's gotten louder over the last 2 days and is most noticable when idle. It's coming from the drivers side and is heard most clearly if you open the door and listen from the height of the handle.

 

Can anyone suggest what this is likely to be?

 

Uh oh, could be your heater matrix blocked up or about to block up. Keep a close eye on this matey, they tend to leak water into the footwells. When mine started to rear it's ugly side it pissed water down into the passenger side first...which is not good coz that's where your ECU spends most of its time. Then when the condition slowly reaches a climax, it dumps coolant into both footwells. NICE! Depending on how bad this is you will either at best get boiled feet for a few seconds until you do a James Bond impression and launch yourself out the drivers side roof or it might not be too bad if you get the car stopped in time to prevent it dumping the whole coolant system inside your car. Believe me, that stuff honks for weeks afterwards...pheeewww!

 

Get it checked out anyway is my advice, sooner rather than later, I left mine until it blew on me on the M25 at about nine at night. Was not happy!

 

Tim

;-)

 

1991 UK 300ZX TT Auto. Current Status: M.I.A.

 

could this be my problem cos i get a gurgling sound some thimes but only when u first start the car for the first time in the day but this doesnt always happen

 

Andy's answer is:-

 

Its your aiv valves boyZ! Take a look at this:-

 

http://www.twinturbo.net/ttnetfaq/FAQpages/aivrepair.html

 

should give you some pointers....

 

Andy

 

I'm not an expert on this, just giving you an idea of what could be the problem. All I do know is that the system is prone to blockages. I think someone told me that there is an overflow on the passenger side which is prone to getting shite in it, broken down leaves etc. If this blocks even partially you may get coolant discharging inside the car...I think.

 

Nico, Eric or Henri would be able to advise on this in alot more detail. I'm just going on what happened with my car, however, when I described the symptoms I was having loads of peeps said that they had the same sort of thing happen to them. I just wished that I had gotten mine checked out straight after they told me as it would have saved me 4 and half hours in the freezing cold broken down on the M25 waiting for the yellow erics to sort out what f*&king junction I was at...bastards!!!

 

Tim

;-|

 

1991 UK 300ZX TT Auto. Current Status: M.I.A.

 

No worries !

It's just the AIV's, like Andy said.

If it's coming from the fender and at idle only, then it's almost certain the AIV's...

 

Easy trick to find out if it really are the AIV's: pull the small hose that runs from the balance tube to the AIV-solenoid.

(see picture below)

If the gurgling becomes less or stops then it's definately the AIV's (there's one in each fender)

They are know to have water in them, especially if you drive a lot of short distances

 

-Eric

 

 

 

...Sorry guyz, couldn't have been further from the problem I suppose, nevermind. Anyway, Jay, that's what happens when your matrix goes down...just in case...LOL!!

 

Tim

;-)

 

1991 UK 300ZX TT Auto. Current Status: M.I.A.

 

Jayen,

 

the gurgle is the AIV's, as already mentioned. There are a few FAQ's around for fixing this, one which says drill the rubber hose, another which says drill the filter box, or you can always just empty the water out and wait for it to happen again...

 

I did the filter box, and the gurgle has returned after about 18 months ;)

 

Timmy,

 

i know exactly the thing you are thinking of...

the aircon drain runs through the firewall right behind the ecu. If the drain hose gets kinked or blocked, then the aircon box fills upwith condensation, which then runs into the heater and fan box..

 

this means whenever you corner, you get a running water sound... i had the same thing.

and water runs through the vents onto the carpet.. looking like a matrix problem..

 

fortunately i found it when i was investigating how to take the matrix out, saving me a whole load of hassle..

 

Thanks everyone for the valuable information (and to you too Timmy, for providing me with the opportunity to see just how high my blood pressure can really go without causing perminant damage). ;o)

Seriously, that's one thing I'll be keeping my eye on, so I'm greatfull you mentioned it.

 

I checked out the FAQ's on this problem and poked around my Z for a while debating whether or not to try my hand... but, I'm useless when it comes to cars and couldn't figure out what resided at the ends of each rubber bit. I know I'd end end up doing more harm than good, and at the moment I simply can't afford to 'create' more expense.

 

Would this cause problems if I continue to use my Z till I can find a decent mechanic, or is it something that needs immediate attention ?

 

Thanks again for all your help guys... this place really is worthwhile. I took this problem to one mechanic already (before I asked here) and after 10 mins of fiddling under the bonnet he just looked at me weirdly and said I'd have to book it in for a day so he could 'investigate'. At £35 an hour - I don't think so somehow. I know full well he'd leave it resting in the back of the garage and set her up about an hour before I return. Can't believe what a craphole I live in. :o(

Long live the Forum ! ! ! (and all who 'participate' in her) :o))

 

it is fine if you leave it, just annoying...

 

it is a really simple job to do yourself, honestly.

 

if you just want to get rid of the noise for now....

 

jack car up, remove front wheel, remove wheel arch cover from rear of arch, remove the rubber pipe that connects to the square plastic box, point the pipe to the floor and drain it...

 

but it will happen regularly until you remove the square box and drain that as well... or drill a small hole into the bottom of it.

 

Hi Jayen,

 

I would just like to quote form the web page url I posted above:-

 

"A rebuild of the AIV assembly is very easy and should not take more than 1 hour per side"

 

Please don't be scared of trying to do this job yourself - you WILL save yourself money. Also you will get your confidence up to tackle some other problems(on a Z????!!!) if they ever crop up. Having read through the article, I think the only real tool you need is a 10mm spanner. If you get stuck, there's loads of guys on this forum (and others) that are more than willing to help. At the end of the day, the Z is still held together with the same fixings as used on any other cars - its just better!!!!

 

Andy

 

Thanks guys... your comments have filled me with confidence (or false security), so I'll give it a shot :o)

 

 

Just a little insight to heater matrix. When my heater matrix and associated cooling problems appeared I also had gurgling noises. The noise from the heater matrix can be distinctly heard coming from inside the car behind the radio centre / console area.

 

Hope it helps narrow down your problem Jayen.

 

Grant