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300zx
Sent to Car Experts October 16 12:02 PM

I have a 1990 300zx. The car overheated a few weeks ago and for the obvious reason that the radiator was empty. Filled it up and after driving for about 40 min. I noticed the temperature gauge jumped up a little and went back to normal. This continued to the point where I wasn't sure if I should pull over or keep going. I made it home and the next morning I checked the radiator and the overflow tank and they were both full. Two weeks later the car overheated again and I found the overflow tank empty and the radiator half empty. About a week later the car overheated again and both the radiator and the overflow tank were full. I've asked a few "car guys" what to check first and the answers range from thermostat to a blown head gasket. I don't see anti-freeze on the ground and I don't smell any unless the car has overheated.

Also, the car has been idling rough and pretty much feels rough driving or idling. I've heard something about the fluids/carburetor/carburetor float.

 

Optional Information:
1990 Nissan 300zx

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
October 16 12:05 PM (2 minutes and 7 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Greetings!

Sounds like a blown head gasket. Be sure there are no air pockets in the cooling system. Be sure the cooling fans come on. And obviously the coolant is full. After the basics are covered than we can suspect other things. Take off the oil cap and look on the inside of it. If the oil looks like a vanilla shake than theres your problem. The head gasket has blown and there is coolant in the oil. The headgasket will need to be replaced.



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AMEDEE -- ASE MASTER TECH -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1130 Car Accepts
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October 16 12:34 PM (28 minutes and 59 seconds later)
         
Reply to amedee's Post: What about the rough idling/driving? Are the two questions related?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
October 16 12:37 PM (3 minutes and 53 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Well certainty! If coolant gets into the cylinder because of the leaking head gasket than your engine will misfire because you cant burn coolant.

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AMEDEE -- ASE MASTER TECH -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1130 Car Accepts
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October 16 12:44 PM (6 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         
Reply to amedee's Post: OK, bear with me.....

First, what is your definition of the engine misfiring because I wouldn't describe it as a misfire.

Second, how is coolant getting into the cylinder if the radiator stays full?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
October 16 1:04 PM (20 minutes and 17 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

A misfire would be a cylinder not firing all the time.

Is is more of a unsteady idle rather than a misfire?



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AMEDEE -- ASE MASTER TECH -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1130 Car Accepts
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October 16 1:11 PM (6 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
Reply to amedee's Post: it is unsteady. It makes the car shake.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
October 16 1:18 PM (6 minutes and 45 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
A misfire would defiantly cause the car to shake! This is a definate misfire!

Edited by amedee on October 16 2006 at 1:18 PM

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AMEDEE -- ASE MASTER TECH -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1130 Car Accepts
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October 16 1:25 PM (7 minutes and 39 seconds later)
         
Reply to amedee's Post: could you be just a tad more specific.....

I'm searching for the cause. How is the coolant leaking into the cylinder and how do I know it's leaking if the radiator is full?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
October 16 1:45 PM (19 minutes and 58 seconds later)
         
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