just driven home from work. Nothing unusual about journey, takes me about 20 mins.

 

Got back and reversed to do 3 point turn. the turning area has a dip in it but has never caused me problems before despite low car. today it must of brushed the ground (took it a bit fast, low tyre pressure??) but thought it was ok because my dirt guard is loose so was probably that.

 

parked up and noticed i have smoke coming up the the back/drivers corner of the bonnet. turned off and opened bonnet and smoke or steam coming up from the corner below where the ABS unit is. sounded like drops hitting something hot and vapourising. Smelt and bit funny and quite thick (thicker than steam that would come out of a boiling kettle). couldnt see any drops when looked under the car or any puddles or drip trials from where i turned.

 

I this the dreaded water pipes at the back of the engine???? never had a problem like this before.

 

PLEASE HELP!!!!

sounded like drops hitting something hot and vapourising

 

The drops will be hitting the exhaust, but it could be anything thats dripping, take it out for a run, then have a look under to see if you can see any drips??

ok taken it out for another drive to get petrol and seemed fine in every way.

 

could it be a bit of rain caught in the splash guard that got kicked up onto the exhaust when i brushed the guard against the low dip in the road??? seems unlikey, hasnt rained today so it is 2 x 20 minute drives on dual carridgeway + a day of hot weather......would there still feasably be an amount of water knocking around the engine bay to cause this steam?? what about the dodgy smell of the smoke/steam?? can i give it the all clear???

Zed's eh???:D

 

Check your fluid levels m8, i get a hot oily smell, (from the turbo casings i imagine) almost every time i drive mine for an extended period.

I have a similar problem on my Zed (TT). Checked fluid levels and all seem fine. Check under the car ... not a drip in sight.

 

I pulled up outside of my house yesterday and thought the engine sounded a bit 'tappety' then noticed the steam from under the bonnet (as with Clive - rear drivers side corner). After a bit of looking around I found that the vapour originates from under the plastic engine cover. took that off today and ran the engine for a while to warm it up and got the same problem. However the steam/vapour is coming from too deep between the 'V' to find the source. The best way I can think to describe the smell is "old and damp" - The liquid has settled in some of the recesses and feeling it - it's not oil based - poss air con?

 

I've only had my baby for three weeks so not an expert on the monster that is Zed architecture! lol.

 

Any speedy help appreciated as it is my only car and I don't want to drive and cause further problems.

 

Many thanks

 

John

It was very hot yesterday, did you have the air con on full whack while you were driving home by any chance ?.

 

My guess is that you haven't actually got a problem. It's condensation from the very cold air con pipes dripping on your turbo's or manifold.

 

Best to be safe than sorry. Check for any signs of leak while the engine is not on or has not been on for a while, then make sure the air con is off. Take it for a 15 - 20 min spin, check for dripping again.

 

Can't find anything ?. Then I was right the first time ;)

I have a similar problem on my Zed (TT). Checked fluid levels and all seem fine. Check under the car ... not a drip in sight.

 

I pulled up outside of my house yesterday and thought the engine sounded a bit 'tappety' then noticed the steam from under the bonnet (as with Clive - rear drivers side corner). After a bit of looking around I found that the vapour originates from under the plastic engine cover. took that off today and ran the engine for a while to warm it up and got the same problem. However the steam/vapour is coming from too deep between the 'V' to find the source. The best way I can think to describe the smell is "old and damp" - The liquid has settled in some of the recesses and feeling it - it's not oil based - poss air con?

 

I've only had my baby for three weeks so not an expert on the monster that is Zed architecture! lol.

 

Any speedy help appreciated as it is my only car and I don't want to drive and cause further problems.

 

Many thanks

 

John

 

If you can get to the wet patch or part of the liquid, get some on your finger give it a smell. Does it smell of petrol ?. Can;t smell anything ?. have a taste (and spit it out). Does it taste sweet ? if so then it's coolant from somewhere, probably a loose or cracked coolant hose that runs under the plenum to cool the cylinders. If so, it's a plenum off job for that I'm affraid.

If you can get to the wet patch or part of the liquid, get some on your finger give it a smell. Does it smell of petrol ?. Can;t smell anything ?. have a taste (and spit it out). Does it taste sweet ? if so then it's coolant from somewhere, probably a loose or cracked coolant hose that runs under the plenum to cool the cylinders. If so, it's a plenum off job for that I'm affraid.

 

Gimme ten I'll let you know....

If you can get to the wet patch or part of the liquid, get some on your finger give it a smell. Does it smell of petrol ?. Can;t smell anything ?. have a taste (and spit it out). Does it taste sweet ? if so then it's coolant from somewhere, probably a loose or cracked coolant hose that runs under the plenum to cool the cylinders. If so, it's a plenum off job for that I'm affraid.

 

Firstly I don't believe I just put some random fluid in my mouth on the basis of intenet advice! - but yeh its slightly sweet.

 

Next question - is it a job that can be done D.I.Y - or is it a garage job?

 

Cheers.

If it's a turbo coolant hose (likely culprit!) then a Bypass will sort it.

Also check the heater hoses!

As Manta says above but if it's an under plemumn cooling hose you will probably be best taking the plenum off. Actually if you are confident in doing it yourself it may be worth doing that anyway just to see where the leak is.

Cheers guys.

I have the day off work tomorrow so looks like a fun day for me!

I'll keep you updated.

Sounds like the pass side turbo coolant hose that runs across the back of the block. TB bypass will not solve this one unfortunately :( Its a complete PITA to get to...

Had a look yesterday and bottled removing the Plenum - Anyone in the Warwick area fancy giving me a helping hand? (Please!)

 

Thanks again!

 

John

No need for plenum removal. Bypass can be done with the plenum in situ just as easily ;) Chances are the bypass won't fix it though because its a pipe to the turbo not the throttle bodies. Main problem is the EGR pipe in the way so you can't get to it. With the gearbox off it would be a doddle...

This happened to me again for the 2nd time. exactly the same thing with an odd smelling smoke/steam coming from drivers side rear corner of the engine. I also noticed some smoke this time coming from the passenger corner.

 

Happened when i was just driving along this morning but cleared up after a while.

 

I think it is just some rain getting into the engine bay and being held in a heat sheild or something where it picks up some grime which gives it the funny smell when it boils off. Both times it has happened has been when there has been some heavy rain.

 

The previous owner had removed the rubber which seals the back of the bonnet (windscreen end) saying it helped the airflow through the engine and wouldnt let in any rain because it would go through the holes in that grey plastic thing at the bottom of the windscreen. He gave me the rubber if i ever wanted to reattch it.

 

Should i stick this back on as i reckon it might be where the rain is getting in. Has anyone else done this and experienced something similar?

Hi

 

I've got the same problem. Neaseside turbo coolant hose is split and leaking water under the car. Does anyone know how I can fix accessing it from top of engine i.e removing battery etc. If anyone has any pics, I would appreciate. Been 2 weeks without my Z and I'm getting withdrawl symptoms, to say the least!

just driven home from work. Nothing unusual about journey, takes me about 20 mins.

 

Got back and reversed to do 3 point turn. the turning area has a dip in it but has never caused me problems before despite low car. today it must of brushed the ground (took it a bit fast, low tyre pressure??) but thought it was ok because my dirt guard is loose so was probably that.

 

parked up and noticed i have smoke coming up the the back/drivers corner of the bonnet. turned off and opened bonnet and smoke or steam coming up from the corner below where the ABS unit is. sounded like drops hitting something hot and vapourising. Smelt and bit funny and quite thick (thicker than steam that would come out of a boiling kettle). couldnt see any drops when looked under the car or any puddles or drip trials from where i turned.

 

I this the dreaded water pipes at the back of the engine???? never had a problem like this before.

 

PLEASE HELP!!!!

 

Might be a shot in the dark but check your power steering fluid. Mine was throwing out what looked like steam from exactly the same place and it turned out to be a small rupture in the power steering flexy pipe.

Hi guys this happened again last night. This has now been 3 seperate widly spaced events. But whereas the previous two i could explain by; 1st. rainwater in the splash guard being flicked up onto the exhaust when i bumped the bottom of the car and 2nd time when the car had been sitting a while maybe collecting rainwater. This time it happened last night after arriving home from work without any bumps to the bottom and the car has been in regular use and it hasnt rained for a while.

 

I had got home from work and went to the offy opposite my flat to get some tins for the match and when i came out of the offy the fella who owns the garage next door waved me over. I saw the smoke coming out in the same area (rear drivers side corner of the bonnet) and he said it started even worse. It clamed down pretty qucikly after i opened the bonnet and had the same colour and acrid smell as before. The guy said that is the smell of boiling coolant when antifreeze has been added so i can be pretty sure i have a coolant leak. He said he would get it on their ramps one evenning when they were clear and hopefully the staining of burnt off coolant will show wear the leak is from. He reckons it is pinhole leak in a rubber (as corroded metal would leak all the time) coolant hose where it has got old and only spills liquid when the coolant is at its hottest and therefore under the greatest pressure (after a journey when the system is hot and there is no more circulation through the rad). I am always pretty good in letting the engine and tubs cool down towards the end of journey and letting it idle for a while at the end of the journey.

 

My question is what coolant pipes or hoses are located around the back-left of the engine that are directly over the left hand manifold (where the O2 sensor is). The guy is no zed expert but a competant mechanic and if i could describe to him what the pipes are and where they are located, maybe even marked out on a page in the online manual, he could help me out in diagnosing and maybe fixing the problem. Is it possible to get to the affected pipe without engine out if it was on a ramp or even without a ramp (i know the O2 sensor are changed from the engine bay and this must be above that)?

 

Thanks guys.

 

Although this has only happened 3 times in a year, leaks only get worse so it would be good to fix.

i dont want to be rude guys but since posting this message and having no replies i have been looking at the new posts and people seems to be more concerned about talking about birthdays and sending each other funny youtube clips than helping out on technical matters. I know this forum is for making friends and passing time but i thought this was quite a simple query that many people who have posted on this forum would have the ability and experience to answer my question. maybe my question was too long or i havent posted on here enough to make friends but i would of thought someone would have the kindness to take some time to answer my question and not only help me but other people who seem to have the same problem as me and others who might have in the future and use the search function. Sorry if i have offened or upset anyone.

I know how you feel sometimes mate. It seems that socialising sometimes takes precedence over sorting out peoples technical problems. I know some people on here work on these cars for a living and dont want to be seen to give away "free" advice but if it is a problem that you are obviously concerned about it would be nice if someone could offer you a little help.

 

Unfortunately I aint that guy as i know little about what is going wrong around that side of the engine but there are enough people on here who have taken out engines and stuff which this would be bread and butter for.

 

You havent pee'ed me off but there are might be some sensitive souls on here that dont like you dissing their second home.

 

Good luck and hope you find an answer to your problem!

Tom

Hi Clive,

I don't know off the top of my head what pipes are in the area you are reffering to.

 

Have you tried the search function to see if this has been discussed before. By the amount of people having the problem I would assume that it has been discussed in great detail in the past.

thanks for the replies Giant Slayer and SMW1.

 

I have tried the search as my first point of call. Dont know what to search for as the keywords i have used seem too general and give me an unwieldly amount of hits to look though every one.

The keywords i have tried have been stuff like; steam+leak, steam+smoke, smoke+leak, engine+bay+leak, water+leak, coolant+leak and all these types of combination but they tend to be smoke or steam from exhausts or water puddles from the front of the engine which have been identified as radiator leaks, coolant hoses leaks, water pumps leaks etc.

As far as i can see there should be no major coolant feeds around the back of the engine because all these things and water feeds to the turbos are at the front of the engine bay.

 

Still confused.

Clive

A core plug degrading, maybe with a small hole in it? Had this on a Calibre i had years ago, started off as a small small leak leaving me to top up every few days, then just went completely. that was at the back of the engine.

 

Neil

I don't want to be rude either but give it time! 4 hours is hardly a lifetime is it? Plus subscribing would be well and truly worth it ;)

 

Anyway, there's a coolant line up the passenger rear of the engine which sounds like the likely culprit. Its a complete pain in the arse to ge to though. It runs from the turbo hard line, to another metal pipe, then a rubber hose to the drivers side heater matrix pipe. Best bet is to replace the whole lot with a length of silicone hose (8mm). If I can find some photo's for you I will...

thanks very much duffster. I know i was a bit naggy there but when there is something up with the zed time goes painfully slowly!!

 

Doing searches you seem to be the man who knows his way round the water pipes at the back of these engines!

 

It does seem that other people have had the same probs as me and it looks like it is either; water feed to heater matrix, coolant feed to turbos (that sounds to be the nasty one) and coolant feeds to the throttle bodies.

 

I have spent the whole afternoon searching about and seen some of the pics you have posted up, but without the annotation and some pictures going missing from older threads i am still in the dark.

 

No time for the 64 thousand dollar (well, maybe not that much! hopefully!) question. Is it an engine out job and can i do these myself? Where can i get the hoses from? Nissan or MJP?