280z Cooling system mystery

[Zed Head]

You haven't said if it was full of coolant.  And hose pressure is really only a test of the radiator cap.  Pressure comes from heat and expansion, and the pressure is distributed evenly through the whole system.  Didn't say either if you drove 10 minutes on the highway or ten minutes through the traffic lights.  Just making the point that it's the little details that will tell the story.

If you've been hitting 240 and you had a steaming engine, you might have a blown head gasket.  You might never know if it happened before or after the belt change.  But it might be the cause.

[925280z]

10 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

You haven't said if it was full of coolant.  And hose pressure is really only a test of the radiator cap.  Pressure comes from heat and expansion, and the pressure is distributed evenly through the whole system.  Didn't say either if you drove 10 minutes on the highway or ten minutes through the traffic lights.  Just making the point that it's the little details that will tell the story.

If you've been hitting 240 and you had a steaming engine, you might have a blown head gasket.  You might never know if it happened before or after the belt change.  But it might be the cause.

yeah i was thinking about that too , to pin point exactly where it was steaming it was from the cool reservoir , the lttle hose that connects to the top of it was steaming and lately it was been over filled , it used to be a little bit less than the full line and after that day it was steaming its been at 1 - 1 1/2 inch above that line so the reservoir does have more coolant then its supposed to have and sorry if im just trowing info these are all observations ive just noticed like in the past hour and im hoping to god its not a head gasket that would ruin me financially

Edited February 24, 2017 by 925280z

[Reptoid Overlords]

So when you opened the top of the radiator and removed the radiator cap, did you see coolant at the top?

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[925280z]

Just now, Reptoid Overlords said:

So when you opened the top of the radiator and removed the radiator cap, did you see coolant at the top?

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no

[Reptoid Overlords]

If you've already done this, then ignore. I would fill up the radiator until you can visibly see coolant at the top of the hole. Perhaps even run the engine as you are adding coolant. Once you know for sure it is full put the radiator cap back on. Get a flashlight if needed and check everywhere for leaks. The upper and lower radiator hoses, thermostat housing, water pump area, and the hoses that run from the radiator along the passenger side into that obnoxious 3 way thermo splitter before going into the cab to the heater core. If you can't see any leaks, turn it off and check for coolant in the oil.

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