Looks like it's over, could do with a little internet diagnosis to confirm it!

 

Last week on a quick motorway run I had a nice friendly chap in an Evo come by to tell me there was something wrong with my car. I slowed down and then the temp started to rise, so put the heaters on full and it dropped, a mile or two later I'm on the slip road and drop the window slightly to here a rattle which I figured was the other car - it wasn't! Anyway the rattle (can only describe it as diesel like) would disappear at certain revs.

 

Anyway, got home and popped the bonnet to see some oily residue on the fuse block (pass side above the headlight). Next day I tried to put some water in it (it has all gone) but it leaked out the bottom appearing directly underneath the engine block and somewhere on the driverside arch area.

 

I've not tried to start it since it didn't hold water.

 

So, I realise it's difficult to say, but in an nutshell from the above, do you think it's shot? How far does the temp needle need to go before it's too late? Mine went 3/4 of the way up bearing in mind normal operation in below centre.

 

Apols for the long post!

do a compression test, you probally split a coolant hose and its loost the coolant then overheated. the compression test will confirm weather the block is still air tight, i would recon that you have probally warped the head in the process hence the sound. but you gotta look into it. any signs of head gasket failure? smeg in the oil or black oily plugs?

where abouts do you live mate?

Sounds like head gasket to me, especially the rattle. You may not always find gunge in the oil filler cap, so I prefer the "other" compression test, have someone else start the car, whilst holding onto one of the rad hoses, if it pressurises immediately, it's most likely a blown head. This of course can be difficult to do if it isn't holding water, so I'd check every hose you can see for splits, wait till the ground and engine are dry, then have someone fill it whilst it's jacked up and you're looking underneath it, see if you can tell where the water is coming from. Worst case scenario is you've cracked the block or blown a core plug or something. A core plug is easy enough fixed as they are replaceable, depending on the damage done to the engine running without water in it.

Looks like it's over, could do with a little internet diagnosis to confirm it!

 

Last week on a quick motorway run I had a nice friendly chap in an Evo come by to tell me there was something wrong with my car. I slowed down and then the temp started to rise, so put the heaters on full and it dropped, a mile or two later I'm on the slip road and drop the window slightly to here a rattle which I figured was the other car - it wasn't! Anyway the rattle (can only describe it as diesel like) would disappear at certain revs.

 

Anyway, got home and popped the bonnet to see some oily residue on the fuse block (pass side above the headlight). Next day I tried to put some water in it (it has all gone) but it leaked out the bottom appearing directly underneath the engine block and somewhere on the driverside arch area.

 

I've not tried to start it since it didn't hold water.

 

So, I realise it's difficult to say, but in an nutshell from the above, do you think it's shot? How far does the temp needle need to go before it's too late? Mine went 3/4 of the way up bearing in mind normal operation in below centre.

 

Apols for the long post!

 

Hi did you feel it up by the rad or the bottle, cause if i try to put water in my bottle once it feels to a level it starts spilling on the floor,

 

theirs a little hose next to the rad cap has that came off.which may spray up by the fuse box.

 

Also id check waterpump they make nosie when they fail, Just grab the viscous fan and pull it up and down see if theirs any movement,

 

Goodluck hope u fix it.

Thanks for the advice all!

I'd filled it from the rad but to be honest I've sort of given up all hope is this car, it was a dream to own (well drive, it was a nightmare to own!), but I was always afraid something bad was gonna happen.

 

As much as I'd have had a compression test done and checked out the pump as suggested, over the past 2 weeks since it happened I've slowly been resigning myself to the fact that after everything I can't keep pouring cash down on this.

 

Just wanna say that after all these years (I'd actually joined the forum circa 2002!) I'm glad I finally had one, but more than that I was a happy place at the 300zx forum!

 

As someone once said 'it's been emotional'

 

Thanks again all!

(ps. I'm still gonna read the forums!)

Sad to here your zed has issues Dee and yes stay logged on to the site and one day you might have another or you get your own fixed.

theres plently of things you can do diagnostics wise yourself for free. sad to see another zed fall apart.

I wouldn't give up just yet mate. At least get it checked.

Where abouts are you?

I'm in wolves, I started it on a couple of days a ago and it appeared to run and idle ok, but obviously splurted out the water from underneath very quickly and I turned it off.

I believe it was my own fault for running this as a daily for the few weeks leading up to this incident! Thought it would be ok having had so much maintenance and repairs done but you just never can tell.

 

Anyway, I've replaced it with a redtop 2.2 prelude vti. And it just seems so sedated, I miss boost!

Dee where in Wolves are you, i am in Wednesfield and would gladly have a gander to see if i can assist.

 

07929159828

 

Neil

Have you checked the top hose on the radiator? The outlet on the rad is prone to becoming brittle and breaking...

is it a TT???, if so i know Paul (Kinugawa turbo) is selling a tt engine minus ancilleries in good working order for £100 if he still has it, a weekend swapping your ancillieres and away you go

I agree, its far too early to chuck the towel in yet bud. Its it bit like getting a cold and making your own funeral arrangements - at least get it diagnosed before you bury it!

 

If you could take a video of the rattle/diesel sound and post it up, it would give some of the boffins a chance to offer their opinions. In my experience, if its not blowing smoke and you can't see a rod sticking out the block, then it probably aint too bad!

 

Unless you're just looking for a reason to get shot of it - even if that is the case, its far easier to shift a working car than a broken one.