Well I learned something new today :)

[DatsunZsRule]

This damn winter season has been SO long and I'm so looking forward to another fun late spring/summer with my Z. I took a run out to my other garage today where I keep her safe during the winter months and went to check up on her. I popped the hood to just make sure all was well with her and as I was looking around under the hood, I noticed a blue puddle of washer fluid on the ground so I thought hmmm that 25-30 below 0 temps we had last week must have taken a toll on her fragile original washer fluid reservoir and sure enough :disappoin Makes me wish that garage was heated but oh well.

Anyway I learned that from now on when fall rolls around and I have to put her away for winter, I'm going to drain and remove the washer jug. Going to add that to my "Winterizing List"

Just thought I'd share this to all the other northern Z fans that have to store there Z's during winter. Kinda odd as I've never had this problem in the past yrs. I think as that plastic washer jug aged, it just couldn't handle the extream cold temps when sitting all winter long and developed a crack.

[Zak's Z]

Your washer fluid plastic tank cracked on you, that sucks. I took the one out from my '72 in the summer, and i dropped it from about a foot off the ground and it shattered like glass.

Maybe I'll put the winter washer fluid in all the time, that way if it gets cold you'd figure it will help a bit as it won't freeze on you.

What I just said makes absolutely no sense after reading it.

zak

[DatsunZsRule]

Hey there Zak,

yeah, they get pretty brittle with old age and it doesn't take much for them to break. I just unhooked the harness and the hose and pulled the reservoir out for now. I'll take care of it come spring. I shot an e-mail to Z Car Source tonight and asked if they had any for a 280Z. If anybody has one, it's them They seem to always have the hard to find factory parts that Nissan no longer makes. They were the ones that were able to get me a factory fuel rail for my Z. Awesome people.

[Graphyx]

This is interesting, because when I was a kid in the 70's, my dad drove his 240z in all imaginable weather conditions. We lived in the Boston area, so he dealt with a cold winter every year, and I know for a fact he drove it home from work during the Blizzard of '78. Additionally, he routinely used to drive up to the mountains during ski season, and I don't recall him having the problem you mentioned.

Best of luck getting your problem resolved, though.

-JML

[DatsunZsRule]

Well thats kinda different Graphyx.

My Z is stored all winter long for obvious reasons. She's a classic. It doesn't get warm under the hood as it's not in use during the winter months so when it's parked in the storage garage during winter time and it's 30 below 0 outside, things like washer fluid can freeze and crack a 29 yr old plastic reservoir.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Next time you mix up your fluid or fill it up from a jug, Add a 1/8 cup of rubbing alcohol to the mixture. I think you might also call it isopropal alcohol.

it will not only keep the mixture from freezing at lower temps, but will also help eliminate those dried on bugs during the summer. In case of a flash freeze or overnight freezing, it will melt the ice alot quicker when you spray it onto the window.

Good luck,

Dave.

[DatsunZsRule]

Thats a good idea Dave. I only drive my beauty in warm sunny summer weather anyways but thats a good suggestion for when I store it during winter. It's either do that or remove it before I tuck her away for the following winters. Don't want that to happen again

[Zs-ondabrain]

Thats a good idea Dave. I only drive my beauty in warm sunny summer weather anyways but thats a good suggestion for when I store it during winter. It's either do that or remove it before I tuck her away for the following winters. Don't want that to happen again

And like I said up there, it's also good for bugs, road grime and tar removal on the go.

Glad to help,

Dave.

[Hrududu]

Thats a good idea Dave. I only drive my beauty in warm sunny summer weather anyways but thats a good suggestion for when I store it during winter. It's either do that or remove it before I tuck her away for the following winters. Don't want that to happen again

Mine has been tucked away this winter too. Mostly because the heater doesn't work though However, keeping the nasty crap from the roads off of it is a major plus too.

[Graphyx]

Well thats kinda different Graphyx.

My Z is stored all winter long for obvious reasons. She's a classic. It doesn't get warm under the hood as it's not in use during the winter months so when it's parked in the storage garage during winter time and it's 30 below 0 outside, things like washer fluid can freeze and crack a 29 yr old plastic reservoir.

Good point.

Truly 30 below zero, actual air temperature, not wind chill? That is definitely colder that what we get! :eek:

Plus, I didn't consider the age of the car when I wrote the post. I suppose a 6 year old 240z (as of '78) would not have the same concerns as Z that's been around for 30 years.

-JML