1990 Nissan 300ZX Oil and coolant

Hello -

To better assist you is your model is the 300ZX 2+2 and what is the engine size in liter

HAs the oil and oolant mixed in the radiator or engine? To me it sounds like a bad head gasket, leaking valve cover, and a water pump leaking. Have you tried to pressure test the cooling system? Also, check under the water pump. There is a weep hole that will leak coolant if the bearing or seal is bad in the pump.

Also, steam clean the engine and drive it to see if you can determine where the oil is coming from.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

Honesty, if it is a head gasket, it could get really expensive. The parts won't be too bad, but the labor will kill you. Also, if he just replace the head gaskets and they are leaking again, chances are you have a warped head that will either need machined or replaced. Again, that is another expensive job.

I don't know what he is asking, but you may want to reconsider.

Normally, I don't make recommendations like that, but it the problem was there, (fixed?), And it's still there, chances are it's going to be a bigger problem than what you, he, we. Expect.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

If that is the case, then chances are it isn't the head gasket. But I have to question why, if he replaced the intake, he didn't fix a simple oil and coolant leak. As far as the coolant leak, check the heater hoses. I believe they run from the front of the motor (water pump area) to the heater core. There could be a leak there. Also, take a flash light and check along the intake to make sure coolant isn't leaking there.

As far as the oil, if it is in the center of the engine, check to see if the oil is leaking from the valve cover gasket and running on to the exhaust manifold. With the engine running, open the oil fill cap and see if there is a lot of pressure coming from there. Let me know what you find.

I hope you understand. I am trying to be cautious because you really don't know the vehicle. I don't either. Will he take less for it? Maybe if you offer him 2200 at least you would have 500 to work with to fix the problems. Will he let you take it to a mechanic to look at it?

If you're near Pittsburgh, I could check it for you, but chances are you're over a thousand miles away.

Let me know, and honestly, the fact that it runs hot after about 10 minutes makes me question the headgasket unless the coolant is leaking bad enough to be low after that amount of time or the cooling system needs flushed.

Finally, there is one more thing I need to know you checked that we haven't discussed. Make sure the floor and the subframe is solid and not rusted. THey have a history of rust problems there. Again, if you live in CA or AZ, that shouldn't be an issue, but here in PA or anywhere salt is used to melt snow, most of them rusted. Make sure nothing looks like it was just reundercoated or painted.

Let me know. My gut tells me NO, but I can understand your interest in the car. They were really fun to drive. I had a 240Z with a straight 6 cylender and 6 webber sidedraft carbs. Those were the days. But as many of them did, the floor and frame fell apart.

Please let me know what you decide or if you have other questions.

Joe