Hi All, I have a TT auto and I seem to be in a bit of a pickle, I was driving to work today in my factory 300 and I noticed the Oil Pressure a bit higher then normal and also the temp stated to move up... i pulled over and opened the bonet and Holy Crap the Steam/smoke comming from the back of the engine, upon closer inspection i notice that there seems to have sprung a leak from the back of the plenum......I have just replaced the radiator and centre bearing.... Is this a common problem with the VG30's or has somthing blown up..... Before you all say it...its not the head gasket the oil is normal colour.....and the mess is just below the Plenum and above the head.... I there any instructions about removing the plenum on the forum somewhere? PLEASE HELP UGENTLY i have to have this car running again by next Friday...
It probably one of the heater hoses. The system may have a bit more pressure and be a bit more free flowing since you replaced the radiator causing hose failure.
yeah im with tektrader sounds like what happened to me and it was the heater hoses.....there painful to replace and if you do need to replace them one of the hoses is the same on a holden astra as our Z's i found that out after i replaced them with OEM for $211........................goodluck bud:zlove:
Yes, many of us have been in your situation There are two main sources of trouble in that area, firstly the heater core hoses (relatively easy to change), and some of the under plenum and turbo return lines. They can be bastards to change and may reruire a plenum pull and hose bypass. Also some of the metal lines can corrode and leak. If not a heater hose, the suggested remedy is a plenum removal, all the under plenum cooling hoses should be bypassed, and the plenum put back on with new gaskets.
yeh heater hoses... ouch 211 bucks for the 2 heater hoses .. i thought i got ripped when i had 2 pay 49 for the left and 52 for the right one from nissan ??
Thank you Thanks for all the assistance so far, I have been advised that i have to get the gasket from Nissan only and they are $38.00, the heater hoses i will repace whilst i have the plenum off wheather they need it or not... What i am concerned about is the fact that Nissan Cleavlenad actualy has the plenum gasket in stock.......If there is anyhting anyone can reccomend to reduce the chance of this happening again please let me know... One last thing while i have the plenum off can i acess the turbos?
I notice you are in Capalaba. Cresta are in Capalaba so might be able to help if you are in trouble. Also AMEC specialise in zeds and they aren't far away in Coorparoo. AMEC are an alternative to Nissan dealerships who often know bugger all about 300zx's, especially turbo zeds.
Here is a list of things to consider getting done on a plenum pull. I usually do these myself for Bris zedders but am flat out on other projects unfort. If you get AMEC to do, suggest they pull the plenum and change ALL the water lines (including turbo inlet/outlet lines on both). AMEC used to do a 'plenum-on' bypass job but there are so many other things you really should get done also when the plenum is off, it really is the only way to go.
If you do go to AMEC for the big service I would consider getting a compression test and your radiator rodded (gunk cleaned out) too. Depends on your timeframe though, if you need it back by Friday, could be close - but worth doing mate! Good luck!
Send member fleet a PM for a quote (He runs AMEC performance) I had previously been quoted 10 hours labour from AMEC for a plenum pull and bypass, which was $770. As they get it down to a fine art, the labour time may have dropped.
Yes replace coolant hoses.. I blew another one this week just behind motor, fortunately not too hard to temporarily patch up. Off subject but last night coming home the bolt holding my shifter to the gear selector came off An hour and a half waiting for a mate with tools was great fun Another 12 hour shift again today cant wait !
