Hi All,

 

I fixed a squeak on my rear brakes and took the Zed for a spin to check my handy work. JOB DONE!

So I popped to a local meet for a tea and a road test. On returning to my car there was a pool of rusty water under the car with a hefty drip coming from the rear of the plastics under the car.

 

Long story short, I topped it up, drove it home, checked again and topped up the water, ran the engine for 10 minutes then went for a spin..... No drippage?!

 

Went for a drive to road test and spotted 6 Classic Minis, 5 Mustangs, 4 GMC Day Vans, 3 Camero's, 2 GT3s a series1 RS Turbo van. So jollied along with them who jollied along to a convoy of old cars just wandering aimlessly around Portsmouth.

 

So longer story short, no drip. I got home and its bone dry. I'm guessing a possible airlock that was dislodged and popped the pressure cap as all hoses look good as far as I can see. The oil and water look good so no fouling there, and the temp was solid in the centre of the gauge throughout.

 

So i'm a bit miffed. Has anyone got an idea what may have happened here?

 

Cheers

Is the water in the radiator the same colour as the puddle on the floor

Yes. The water level had dropped considerably in the radiator.

Check the overflow pipe?

I would do a complete system flush, new antifreeze and distilled water. Tap water can cause rust and could be a sign of a pending blockage.

Thats the only way out as far as i can see.

I would do a complete system flush, new antifreeze and distilled water. Tap water can cause rust and could be a sign of a pending blockage.

 

Job for next Saturday! Thanks.

Hi,

 

So I’m going to battle Brian this afternoon and change the coolant in my Zed after last weeks embarrassing leak at a meet.

 

The chap pie in Halfords seemed a little vague when asked what to use, so I thought I would post a pic and see if you guys agree with the choose of coolant.

 

It’s Silocate Anti-Freeze and it’s blue. I was told to get blue.

His initial question was what colour is my coolant to which I replied, Brown.

He got a little lost and came to the conclusion I need, and I quote. “The Blue one mate”

 

Needless to say I’m a little worried as I wasn’t sure of the skills of this chap.

 

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

Dave

 

 

 

 

 

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Maybe worth a little more research, as coolant additives vary.

Make sure it is compatible with mixed materials, such as ferrous and non ferrous.

 

Try Opie oils, Oilman is a member on here...

 

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/car-oil-and-part-lookup.aspx

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-458-coolant-antifreeze.aspx

Edited October 21, 20178 yr by redwine300

Z32s use "Traditional" Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) Ethylene Glycol base. In this country (winter) 50/50

mix with distilled water is satisfactory.

 

The product you have bought from Halfords is IAT antifreeze so is OK to use.

 

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/antifreeze/halfords-silicate-antifreeze-concentrate-2-litres

If my coolent was brown I would drain it, re fill with water run to temp & drain again before adding anti freeze.

 

I have the same anti freeze & a 50/50 ratio mix with water gives you -34 degrees protection!

If my coolent was brown I would drain it, re fill with water run to temp & drain again before adding anti freeze.

 

I have the same anti freeze & a 50/50 ratio mix with water gives you -34 degrees protection!

 

Thats all I needed to know. I shall do the same. I have brought 10 litres of de ionised water, so this should do the trick!

Cheers Art

I shall apologise to the Halfords chap. He just didn't say it with conviction which worried me was all.

 

Thanks all.

Thats all I needed to know. I shall do the same. I have brought 10 litres of de ionised water, so this should do the trick!

Cheers Art

 

You don't have to go to 50/50 mix as I am being somewhat conservative! This is the relevant page from my

owner's manual.

 

 

Z32s use "Traditional" Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) Ethylene Glycol base. In this country (winter) 50/50

mix with distilled water is satisfactory.

 

The product you have bought from Halfords is IAT antifreeze so is OK to use.

 

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/antifreeze/halfords-silicate-antifreeze-concentrate-2-litres

 

Yup - exactly what Andrew says; you need the blue stuff for older cars:wink:

 

And if your water was rusty brown, certainly give the system a thorough flush; perhaps even remove the radiator and reverse flush it as they'll be a lot of crap in there. You don't want to leave all that old sludge and crap in there. As for the leak, do check your overflow pipe - if it's split, coolant will just pour out as it expands, as opposed to draining into the expansion tank. And treat yourself to a new OEM radiator cap. Nissan still stocks them (I believe) - so does MJP. They're not expensive; and the OEM one is rated at 1.2bar, whereas many after-market replacements are 1.1bar.

*WARNING*

 

Brown water means no antifreeze strength, it also means it will have sludge in it, but the sludge although not ideal will affectively block up any little leaks.

 

Therefore heavy flushing will remove a lot of sludge and also any potential leaks stopper, and antifreeze also has searching property due to its smaller molecular size than neat water, so do not be surprised if you find you end up with more leaks than your started with, but at least you will know and can sort them.

 

Jeff

Edited October 21, 20178 yr by JeffTT

Thanks all. Ive just noticed that in my “Click and Collect” order, which I ordered 10 litres of de ionised water, they have sent, 10 litres of De ionised ironing water. Which would probably be ok if it wasn’t Fragrance Burst fresh!!! Apparently it cuts down on ironing time and makes your engine smell like Daisies and Orchids.

 

Not sure I trust that flavour tho. Might pop to Halfords and get some normal water just in case ;)

 

 

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Thanks all. Ive just noticed that in my “Click and Collect” order, which I ordered 10 litres of de ionised water, they have sent, 10 litres of De ionised ironing water. Which would probably be ok if it wasn’t Fragrance Burst fresh!!! Apparently it cuts down on ironing time and makes your engine smell like Daisies and Orchids.

 

Not sure I trust that flavour tho. Might pop to Halfords and get some normal water just in case ;)

 

 

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? [emoji23]

Thanks all. Ive just noticed that in my “Click and Collect” order, which I ordered 10 litres of de ionised water, they have sent, 10 litres of De ionised ironing water. Which would probably be ok if it wasn’t Fragrance Burst fresh!!! Apparently it cuts down on ironing time and makes your engine smell like Daisies and Orchids.

 

Not sure I trust that flavour tho. Might pop to Halfords and get some normal water just in case ;)

 

 

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PMSL.....:lol:

*WARNING*

 

Brown water means no antifreeze strength, it also means it will have sludge in it, but the sludge although not ideal will affectively block up any little leaks.

 

Therefore heavy flushing will remove a lot of sludge and also any potential leaks stopper, and antifreeze also has searching property due to its smaller molecular size than neat water, so do not be surprised if you find you end up with more leaks than your started with, but at least you will know and can sort them.

 

Jeff

 

You were so right about the sludge! The expansion hose was blocked and also the expansion tank was completely blocked with thick brown goo. When I took the pipe off and removed the bottle it was like the tank was going for a well deserved poo. I had to plug the filler holes and blow it all out. So cleared that all the pipes and radiator etc. Temp gauge is a little lower than before, so have done some good I think water is now blue. Thanks for the advice!

Well a long couple of days doing my 1st job ever on my Zed. 5 x engine flushes to clear the sludge. Removed all cooling pipes and gave everything a dam good flush, then the final flush I did with the engine at full temp and trickled water into the radiator for about 20 mins to clear any left over. Now have a clear system and running 50/50 mix.

 

Thanks all for the advice and tips.

Good job well done.

 

One last thing. This drippy pipe goes nowhere, I’m guessing air con drippy pipe?

 

Anyone have any ideas or if it’s supposed to be attached to something.

 

Thanks.

 

 

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Ac condense drain as it should be, all ok.

 

Jeff