Looking for some advice here...

 

I was driving my zed last weekend, I was driving normally along the motor way then I noticed my heating went cold, very quickly after this I noticed a loss of power, I began to slow down but before I could do anything else the engine cut out completely. I had to pull into the hard shoulder and as I did a lot of smoke began to come from under the bonnet. I opened it up to let it cool down and noticed there was coolant spit all over the top of the engine. I tried to fire it up again after it cooled but had no joy and had to be towed home (over 70 miles :sad: )

I'm no mechanic but I'm fairly sure the engine is wrecked, I've been really busy with work since it happened to haven't had a chance to get it checked properly yet. I've never had something this bad happen with a car before and I've owned quite a few and tbh I very disheartened by it.

 

Do you think it's worth my while to have the engine pulled and replaced with a new one, or should I cut my losses and sell as spares or repairs?

Hi, In my opinion you unfortunately have a serious problem. It seems that you encountered a major coolant leak which resulted in your temp guage indicating a low reading. The coolant sensor requires coolant to read and without it will give you a low reading.

Before you commit sucide :hang: and pull the motor first check that there is no water/oil mix in motor and radiator, if all ok there then refill the cooling system with water and check for coolant leaks for example water dripping onto the floor. If theres a leak repair and then start up the motor briefly, if she runs with no motor noise, smoke then you are lucky. Do an oil/coolant/antifreeze service. I have always wanted to fit a low coolant sensor device for exactly what has happened to you, it will cetainly save a motor.

All of the best.

Mine did exactly this. Because there was no fluid and we were rolling along at 70mph the temp stayed normal. Soon as the speed dropped the temp gauge shot up and thevsteam was viewable, no coolant left really.

I let it cool right down fixed the leak (a turbo coolant line) and refilled it and burped the system, no harm done.

 

Start by checking the bores for fluid, and for oil contamination. Then rotate it by hand then try compression testing etc.

 

You might, might get lucky.

Sad news Padraig but some good advice above mate. Check out your engine and see what needs done and ifs its a goner then get another engine mate I would hate to see you break it as there are so few of these cars in Ireland so good luck and keep us updated.:clover:

I put it up for sale as is just to see if anyone is interested but I still feel like I should get it fixed again.

Apart from the obvious (ebay) are there any other places you would recommend looking for a new engine?

Apart from the obvious (ebay) are there any other places you would recommend looking for a new engine?

 

Jeff or Jimmer!

Are they traders on here?

Do they have a website or any contact info?

Are they traders on here?

Do they have a website or any contact info?

 

Both are in our traders section mate.

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?42-Official-Traders-Forums

Good luck mate, these things have strong engines you might be all right, there is an infamous Youtube vid of some yank... 'cough' ... gentleman... running one with no oil or water, for an hour, to see if it kills it. It took a long time to actually knacker it. :clover:

that's not good news for you. Ciaran z has an spare engine for sale for a tt 400 euro he was looking for it and not far from either of us either if that helps.

Edited May 18, 201411 yr by derek

Mine did exactly this. Because there was no fluid and we were rolling along at 70mph the temp stayed normal. Soon as the speed dropped the temp gauge shot up and thevsteam was viewable, no coolant left really.

I let it cool right down fixed the leak (a turbo coolant line) and refilled it and burped the system, no harm done.

 

Start by checking the bores for fluid, and for oil contamination. Then rotate it by hand then try compression testing etc.

 

You might, might get lucky.

 

Yup - these engines are a lot tougher than some might think.....

 

......So just do a few easy tests to eliminate head gasket failure, top up with fresh coolant and check for leaks (hoses, water pump, rad cap); monitor it over a few miles and cross your fingers...!!

 

Just because it has over heated, do not assume the engine is toast. Mine severely overheated in August 2012 when the brand new Nissan rad cap I fitted turned out to be faulty - I was stuck in a 2 hour traffic jam when it was 30 degrees outside; the blasted rad cap allowed all the coolant past, then into the expansion tank and finally out onto the road. I limped to a petrol station (boy did the engine sound rough as I slowly drove on), let it cool down, refilled with fresh water and anti-freeze, then drove 20 miles home. The next day, I topped up the radiator, fitted a replacement cap and nearly 2 years/10k miles on, all is well. No oil or coolant loss; no signs of oil and coolant mixing anywhere; it's fine!

 

Good luck mate!

 

Richard:clover:

Initially I just thought I blew the head but the fact it wouldn't even turn over made me think there was a lack of compression.

I had someone look at it briefly today he said its down on compression on 4 cylinders and he put some water in the system to try and get it going again, it ended up coming out the exhaust, I think it's pretty much screwed. :(

Derek do you have a link to that engine for sale?

Hi sorry,I was pm'ing Ciaran about the one hes breaking and he said he has a low milage engine for sale 44000 miles he believed for a twin turbo. He was going to fix up the car but changed his mind. send me a text and Ill forward you on his mobile number. I assume he wont mind. That's really unfortunate as it was going to be a nice car with the bits done to it.

text replied to.

Thanks Derek. I tried answering but I'm in a bad area of reception and it cut out on me.