ZD30 cooling system issues/head?

[ben85]

A couple of months back the engine overheated, found the coolant to be low so topped up. temperatures have been fine since.

Have been losing coolant ever since.
It seems coolant keeps flowing out of the radiator into the overflow bottle and then overflowing from there leaving the radiator low.

Replaced the radiator cap with a genuine new one.
I though all was well when the radiator was still full after after a couple of weeks.
I've since found the overflow bottle full again and the radiator low.

I have found a small ammount of white crud under the radiator cap.
And what seems to be an oily film on the inside of the overflow bottle.

Oil seems fine and under the cap is all clear.

Engine is running well as it always has.

I am suspecting head/head gasket could be the problem.


Anyone got any advice for me?

 

[alexnav2395]

Mine has the same problem, radistor is always empty and coolant low, i took it to nissan and they said its fine and normal but i dont think it is, the engine hasnt overheated though.

 

[Lawry]

get your radiator flushed or at least flush tested.
while your there throw in a new thermostat.

 

[kevinm1962]

not lookin good there a mate of mine has the head off his now same problem gasket

 

[ourd40]

You would probably want to pull the head off asap and have a look,
if water is getting in its slowly destroying your valves and pistons

 

[ben85]

looks like she's ****ed!

mechanic tested for combustion gasses in the coolant and it tested positive and he said he can smell coolant in the exhaust fumes. so its either head gasket or cracked head, but reckons the head will be cracked.

apparently its fairly common on these engines.

he reckons it will be about $4500 all up for a new head.

about 2k for the new head (assembled)
12 hours labour
about 400 for new radiator and thermostat
100 bucks new head bolts
300 head gasket
and coolant
and i might have left something out, cant remember.

he also warned of the risk of spending the cash on this and not knowing if the pistons have grabbed or grabbing which he said there's no real way of knowing and the whole thing could end up ****ed again down the track and ive wasted 4-5k.

so it looks like the bank balance will be dropping a bit which ever way out i choose.

 

[Dave]

No good mate.

Is it Chipped ?

 

[ben85]

bit of a bastard.

its not chipped, was thinking about it but never got to it.
dont know if i'd chip it, i was planning on trying to get as many years/k's out of it as i could so i didnt want to put too much pressure on the engine.

 

[Dave]

If it was me, Id change the head.

A new long motor from Nissan can be had for $6500, add labour aswell.

 

[ben85]

would you be game to drop $4500 on a new head not knowing if the rest of the motor was going to last?

would be a fair bit of labour on a new motor im guessing.
i assume that comes with out injectors, injector pump etc.

 

[ourd40]

You may take the head of and the pistons could be pitted really bad and answer that question for you, if there not i would just replace the head.

 

[Dave]

No pump but I am pretty sure injectors, no alternator.

Ill find the link. Where you from mate ?

 

[Dave]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nissan-N...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25642552a1

They're dearer now.

Got any mates who have mechanic shops, trade price and get them to help you fit it.

 

[ben85]

im in melbourne.
yeah i do have a mate who's a mechanic at a 4x4 shop, he's a busy bastard, but it could be a possibility.

 

[Dave]

Get him to order the donk or even see how much trade price is.

 

[ben85]

$8800 from nizzbits. i think thats with injectors but no injector pump.

 

[Dave]

Try that ebay seller and trade price.

Evena later model donk would be alright.

 

[ben85]

i'll be looking into all the options i can over the next couple of days.

low k second hand engine you mean?

 

[Dave]

Yeah, I am sure there are a few written off low km 2005-2006 D22's.

The later model engines would be the safest bet.

 

[ben85]

yeah, ill take a look into it.

it makes you wanna drive the bastard off a cliff though