leaking big time

[threedogs]

Went down to Richmond the other day to pick something up 25k city driving and the Patrol
got warm on the way home. It has been losing about 1 ltr a month so thought nothing of it.
Went to the Doctors [15k] and the same thing happened now Im getting worried,
Drove over to the powder coaters today and it was very hot. Every other time
Ive checked and never been able to find any water, untill this morning .
Looks like Ive split the over flow bottle, cant see the split but under pressure it pours out.
Under $100 for a newy, now to slowly drive to Airport west to pick it up.
Hopefully that will be my water loss problem, could of been worse eh

[jay see]

Much worse..
Good to hear its a easy fix.

[threedogs]

Has anyone else split their over flow tank and was it hard to see the split??

[4bye4]

My work involves maintanence to mobile plant and one recomendation I always make to my customers is to check the ground when they park up the plant. When next using the machinery, move it a machine length and check the ground where it was parked/stored for fluids,stains or even nuts and bolts that were not there when you parked it. Saved a few motors over the years where seals were leaking oil and the operator noticed the oil and shut down in time to save the engine. Iv'e told so many customers that now I am in the habit at looking at the ground where my car was parked every time I drive away.

[threedogs]

I never had water /coolant under the Patrol nor any wet spots until today when something has let go.
Be it a split tank or hose, using a torch the best I could figure out was it was between the overflow tank and the Aux battery.
I removed the tank but couldnt see anything, maybe the seam is split making it hard to see.
And yes I always look under the Patrol or take notice of any oil spots before I park.
Cant do anything tomorrow as I have a conference call I need to be at.
so thursday Ill try and drive it to TJM Airport West and change the tank there and then.

[the evil twin]

... is that where the overflow tube from the overflow tank vents?
(hope that makes sense)
You might just have a dodgy overflow tank cap?

Try filling the overflow to the max line...putting the cap on... and blowing some low (a couple of PSI) pressure compressed air down the line from the Rad

[threedogs]

Ive just brought new caps for the tank and for the radiator.
Where does the hose go from the RHS of the tank ,LHS
goes back to the radiator.
will have a decent look at it tomorrow

[the evil twin]

snip
Where does the hose go from the RHS of the tank ,

IIRC on mine it tucked down the back of the bottle and just ended...

[threedogs]

IIRC on mine it tucked down the back of the bottle and just ended...

Ill change caps again an see what happens

[mudski]

Did you get a new tank? Like i said to you via text yesty, the split on mine was so fine i couldn't see it straight away, as the discoloration of the plastic made it hard too. But under a bright light and looking for ages i found it. If there is coolant sitting in between the two tanks it could well be the tank.

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

[threedogs]

Nah havent picked up the tank yet, need to be at home today for a phone call. very important.
Ill go over to Airport West tomorrow and fit it there.
Filled up fluids this morning and went around the block. still pouring out but cant see where.
Plus unable to look from underneath so a pita, and frustrating as well, I need the patrol going.

[threedogs]

Well I mopped up any water around the overflow bottle and went for a quick drive.
it appears it was leaking from the coolant tank[bottle] cause the lid was a tad loose.
Went for a drive and all is good. Phew big relief as I need my Patrol for appointments for my wife and myself.
Wife had a severe Heart attack a few years ago and is still on the mend.
Not good seeing your beloved in ICU for 22 days full of tubes etc.
Thanks for your help,,,,, forum helps again go figure

[Hodge]

Good to hear all ended well mate.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

[threedogs]

Thanks,, hopefully that was the cause of losing 1 ltre of fluid a month too.
Ill carry some water now just in case, summer is just around the corner.
Maybe I'll put that 55ltr bladder across the back floor that I dont use

[threedogs]

Seeing how those egg carton style overflow bottles split ,
would it be worth while fitting an aluminium one in its place.
Might save a bit of heart break if out in the sticks

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/252151279160?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[threedogs]

Been out and about this morning and all is good.
Anyone got an after market over flow bottle.
Makes sense to me to change it for an aluminium on
if the OE one is bound to fail

[the evil twin]

Been out and about this morning and all is good.
Anyone got an after market over flow bottle.
Makes sense to me to change it for an aluminium on
if the OE one is bound to fail

I have used both OE and aftermarket and the OE has always been the thicker tougher looking one.
I just replaced an old OE with an aftermarket the other day on my GU.
I would use OE for the pressurised systems (eg the ZD) and aftermarket for the atmospheric overflows like mine
Having said that I used an aftermarket on my ZD and it went OK but only had for about 12 months after replacing

[threedogs]

Ok update went over to Airport West to pick up some gear and it over heated GRrrrrrrrrrr
Luckily Mr Nissan is at the old airport. brought the tank and fitted it and it still over heats
GRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, its leaking from up high but will need better eyes than mine to find it.
it does recover,,, the temp that is, so Im thinking the thermostat is ok,, thoughts please
Maybe the hose to the back of the overflow tank has a pin hole or similar

[Hodge]

Are you certain its coming from the area with the overflow tanks ? Could it be on the block ?? Just a thought , maybe you're pointing to the wrong area ?

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

[threedogs]

Hi Eric,, BA was just here and spotted a small hose [100mm] that was rusted and goes into a small pipe
on the rear right hand side of the motor. looking from bull bar.
I rang a few mates [shops] some think it may be the head arghhhhh $$$$ I dont have
I'll change that small hose and see what happens.
Lifes good with BA and he has your bits too, let me know what you think of them please

[threedogs]

Can some one tell me what the 10mm pipe does that is behind the turbo
and appears to go around the back of the motor
Im going to by-pass this some how

[Sir Roofy]

Can some one tell me what the 10mm pipe does that is behind the turbo
and appears to go around the back of the motor
Im going to by-pass this some how

Oil return pipe ?

[threedogs]

nah its got coolant in it, I think its to do with the heater some how.

[the evil twin]

Can some one tell me what the 10mm pipe does that is behind the turbo
and appears to go around the back of the motor
Im going to by-pass this some how

If it is the one i think it is then I wouldn't be bypassing it... I would be replacing it and it may be a prick of a job

Does it run from the Oil Cooler via the Turbo to the back of the Block?

IIRC heater hoses are larger dia and come from the front of the ZD30?

The more I look, the more convinced I am that you are describing the coolant return line from the Turbo...

[the evil twin]

Knock, knock... you home TD?

[threedogs]

The pipe has a bracket on it so Im thinking I can cut it back [50mm]
to some good material and just re fit a longer piece of hose.
Not sure where the bracket bolted up to maybe the dump pipe heat sheild.
Will try and remedy it today.

[threedogs]

Knock, knock... you home TD?

You home who ? lol

[threedogs]

Went to SCA and brought some high pressure 5/16th hose and some hose clamps to suit.
looking again today it looks like it is just a tube that runs behind the motor and connects to the other side
with a small piece of hose same as the other side.
Im hoping if someone can tell me or show me a diagram of where this tube goes.
If its just a tube great if it branches off behind the motor ,thats a different story
Found this picture, it appears I can just use some hose till I can buy the pipe

[Sir Roofy]

I had a look at mine the small pipe comes out of the heater pipe goes around block into the EGR
I wouldn't go cutting or blocking that line very hard to get at any way

[threedogs]

Thanks mate have a look at that blow up its that small tube with two 90 degree bends
looks like I can by pass it till i can buy one, just to get me mobile again

[threedogs]

Think I had a bit of a win, that corroded pipe broke so I could just fit a new longer piece of hose.
went around the block a few times and temps were good. Before I would have lost coolant and
over heated , just need to keep and eye on it, a couple of drips when I got back
but Ill put that down to expansion

[threedogs]

Hopefully there are a few dead ZD30's at the local 4x4 shop I can snaffle that pipe off
and replace mine.
Found some 5/16 copper pipe on Ebay that will probably last longer.
I have a pipe bender as well .

@ Roofy yes it goes to the EGR, thanks

[jay see]

Hopefully there are a few dead ZD30's at the local 4x4 shop I can snaffle that pipe off
and replace mine.

I'm sure there will be plenty.

[threedogs]

Just took it for a decent spin giving it a bit and couldn't get the temp to go past 85 c
So I think I can safely say its OK now,
I'll still replace the oe pipe with some 8mm copper,
combined with the new overflow tank my cooling system is re-co'ed

[Bob]

Just took it for a decent spin giving it a bit and couldn't get the temp to go past 85 c
So I think I can safely say its OK now,
I'll still replace the oe pipe with some 8mm copper,
combined with the new overflow tank my cooling system is re-co'ed

Great News John

[threedogs]

Great News John

Would have been a different story if it was the head,,
very relieved thats for sure $3k just for the head and motor has to come out

[Chimo]

My expansion tank was replaced as it was deemed to be brittle etc when my radiator had a working bee on it after I found a few drops of coolant under it on the concrete floor in the garage.

Stuff just does not last; it was an Aug 1989 build and it only lasted until mid 2015. Suppose the brakes will need to be looked at some time too!

[threedogs]

Im still losing water but not over heating ,
looking from underneath I think my water pump is leaking.
Need this sorted asap besides being a daily ,Cod opening is very soon lol

[Hodge]

You're probably sick of me mentioning this but I suggest you take the Patrol somewhere where they see zd30s daily like 4x4 obsession in Melton and make sure your timing over isn't leaking.

I was in the same mind set as you, thinking it was this and that, water pump, coolant tank... Hoping it wasn't the timing cover but in the end it was. At least that way you'll stop second guessing everything.

Tapatalked from S6

[Hodge]

When I spoke to Brett as 4 x4 obsession he said they do 3-4 a week .... They will know the moment they see it if it is the cover or not.

Tapatalked from S6

[King_ady1]

I think Hodge just likes being the bearer of bad news... Lol. Also something I should get checked.. just don't want that on my mine atm while everything is happening lol.

[Hodge]

Haha sorry hate being negative . From experience , I'm trying to save him a hassle of barking up the wrong tree.

Tapatalked from S6

[threedogs]

I wont be going to Obsession for personal reasons , last time my patrol left it only had water and was not discovered for some time later.
so not a big fan ATM before that I had all my work done there , once bitten eh
Im losing 1.5 ltr in say 30 K so dont think its the timing cover but not ruling it out .
I have nothing against Brett he has done a lot for my Patrol, more likely something out
of his control

If I swap out the water pump is a smear of RTV or similar on the gasket the go

[threedogs]

Going over to Guest's 4WD again in the morning
I'll see if I can get one of the guys to have a quick look for me

[threedogs]

Ok update hwy temps are good stop/start traffic temps ok.
I topped it up at Guests to get home and Noticed water/coolant
on the ground, pretty confident to say the water pump is U/S
Any trick to changing it.

[Bob]

Can anyone give John a hand to change his Water Pump as it would be almost impossible with his Back.

I would but I live in Bendigo and are in the throes of selling our House.

Anybody ???

[Hodge]

I'll give him a hand no questions asked , providing I'm free when he wants to do it ??

Although it'll be a " I'm not very smart but I can lift heavy things " philosophy from my end as I've never done it before.

If someone can point a finger there to what and how, I'm more than happy to wield some spanners.

Tapatalked from S6

[Bob]

I'll give him a hand no questions asked , providing I'm free when he wants to do it ??

Although it'll be a " I'm not very smart but I can lift heavy things " philosophy from my end as I've never done it before.

If someone can point a finger there to what and how, I'm more than happy to wield some spanners.

Tapatalked from S6


Thanks for that mate . I will get John to PM you

[Sir Roofy]

Can anyone give John a hand to change his Water Pump as it would be almost impossible with his Back.

I would but I live in Bendigo and are in the throes of selling our House.

Anybody ???

ill put my hand up but its a fair haul from traf so long as your sure its the waterpump
may be just the gasket wont know till you pull it of

[threedogs]

Ill probably do it at TJM Airport west, plenty on hand if things go wrong.
Plus Bursons is just up the road
still need to buy the water pump Ill do that tomorrow and go from there.
Thanks Eric ill let you know when,

Anyone know anything about these pumps

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131521483878?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[jay see]

Be more than happy to throw a spanner around. Yell out when your ready, I've got a couple of days off next week.

[threedogs]

Thanks Jay Ill let you know when, going to hospital tomorrow.
Unsure how Ill pull up.

[threedogs]

Ok tech heads is the DI auto radiator the same as the manual Radiator.
I know on Tojo's the auto has an oil cooler in the bottom tank.
Save mudski bringing his to my place if its the wrong radiator

EDIT ::: the auto has oil lines to the bottom tank
so it wont fit a manual ZD30

[jay see]

Ok tech heads is the DI auto radiator the same as the manual Radiator.
I know on Tojo's the auto has an oil cooler in the bottom tank.
Save mudski bringing his to my place if its the wrong radiator

EDIT ::: the auto has oil lines to the bottom tank
so it wont fit a manual ZD30

Yes the edit is correct.
I did run a manual radiator with an external transmission oil cooler in an automatic, but a manual with an auto radiator would not work.

[threedogs]

Looks like its the head , damn damn damn thats what you get for treating it with kid gloves.
thats the end for me Im afraid

[Winnie]

Looks like its the head , damn damn damn thats what you get for treating it with kid gloves.
thats the end for me Im afraid

What are your options John? Is it confirmed to be the head?

[Hodge]

Wow. Well that escalated quickly... What a spew.

Tapatalked from S6

[threedogs]

cant keep water in it,,, it keeps blowing out the overflow bottle.
temps are fine as long as it has water lol
Might patch it with Chemiweld or similar,
My mate out Bayswater is getting me prices for LS1 and 4.2TD options.
unsure which way to go

[Bob]

What is the latest John ???

[Cuppa]

cant keep water in it,,, it keeps blowing out the overflow bottle.
temps are fine as long as it has water lol
Might patch it with Chemiweld or similar,
My mate out Bayswater is getting me prices for LS1 and 4.2TD options.
unsure which way to go

A 4.2 is obviously an upgrade :) but really ..... is a head gasket really a motor changing issue?

Don’t keep using it though, that’s what we did with our bus - ran just fine as long as we kept topping up the coolant - but it wrecked the top of the block.

[mudski]

Shit this is no good John. Out of the LS or TD option. Id go tbe Td. Only because its pretty much a swap over. Being so fresh in my mind im more than happy to help out here if this is the way your going to roll.
If its the head, it needs to come off so i would check out the pistons while your at it. Which you would anyway no doubt. Price up a head and see if its worth it if the pistons are ok.
Looks like which ever way, being a repair job on the zd, a td conversion or ls conversion, its gonna get pricey.

I wish you luck mate.

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

[threedogs]

A 4.2 is obviously an upgrade :) but really ..... is a head gasket really a motor changing issue?

Don’t keep using it though, that’s what we did with our bus - ran just fine as long as we kept topping up the coolant - but it wrecked the top of the block.

If its going to cost me $5k to repair Id rather change the motor, but thats me.
Might even see if I can get a CRD cheap , just not sure ATM

[mudski]

If its going to cost me $5k to repair Id rather change the motor, but thats me.
Might even see if I can get a CRD cheap , just not sure ATM
A crd motor will be costly. Ecu is different, and so is everything else in the car so i will see issue after issue doing this.
Id actually find out whats wrong with the motor first mate. It might just be nothing.
Just to note to. Doing a td or ls conversion you might want to talk to wholesale autos if your auto will be up to the task.
I stupidly thought about the conversion myself. As then it would be power right through the rev range, but at over 10k for a custom built box and conversion i quickly canned this idea and then turned my thoughts about a dual cab chop. Lol.

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

[Sir Roofy]

HI John think id check the thermostat first may not be opening or not far enough

All the best with it mate

[threedogs]

Ok had a bit of a win , was pretty sure the head or head gasket was gone.
not having $10k in the pocket for a fix I tried some product called Rislone
"Head fix solution", it says it repairs cracked heads and leaking gaskets permanently.
I know not the best but better than selling it for nothing. It fixed the problem in 15min flat.
Temps are fine not losing water either at $75 a bottle I think it was worth it.
and gives me time to think what Im going to do motor wise .
I have plenty of driving to do tomorrow so that should test it a bit more.
Next job is to drain the radiator and fill with some coolant, I have a smile on the dial again

Thanks to BA, Mudski, Winnie and Eric for keeping me sane,,
,,,, much appreciated I can tell you

I even think this product may seal the timing cover leak in the CRD
It does no harm to the motor as far as I can tell

[TPC]

Ok had a bit of a win , was pretty sure the head or head gasket was gone.
not having $10k in the pocket for a fix I tried some product called Rislone
"Head fix solution", it says it repairs cracked heads and leaking gaskets permanently.
I know not the best but better than selling it for nothing. It fixed the problem in 15min flat.
Temps are fine not losing water either at $75 a bottle I think it was worth it.
and gives me time to think what Im going to do motor wise .
I have plenty of driving to do tomorrow so that should test it a bit more.
Next job is to drain the radiator and fill with some coolant, I have a smile on the dial again

Thanks to BA, Mudski, Winnie and Eric for keeping me sane,,
,,,, much appreciated I can tell you

I even think this product may seal the timing cover leak in the CRD
It does no harm to the motor as far as I can tell

Welcome back John, been a bit quiet on here without you.
Fingers crossed this fixes it at least long enough for you to be able to afford to do something more permanent.

[AB]

Ok had a bit of a win , was pretty sure the head or head gasket was gone. not having $10k in the pocket for a fix I tried some product called Rislone "Head fix solution", it says it repairs cracked heads and leaking gaskets permanently. I know not the best but better than selling it for nothing. It fixed the problem in 15min flat. Temps are fine not losing water either at $75 a bottle I think it was worth it. and gives me time to think what Im going to do motor wise . I have plenty of driving to do tomorrow so that should test it a bit more. Next job is to drain the radiator and fill with some coolant, I have a smile on the dial again Thanks to BA, Mudski, Winnie and Eric for keeping me sane,, ,,,, much appreciated I can tell you I even think this product may seal the timing cover leak in the CRD It does no harm to the motor as far as I can tell Fingers crossed John. If it stays like that then no more full engine coolant clean out, just leave it...lol

[threedogs]

I think it happened as it was running water for a while,
cant really blame anyone as it was probably out of his control.
now to fill will some quality coolant for the coming summer months

[threedogs]

went for a drive today, its not 100% but its a lot better IMO.
I need to tweak a few things then Im off into the city, it doesnt
over heat so thats a plus, Happy its drivable though,
not good just looking at it.

[BigRAWesty]

Maybe try a stronger concentrate.. I went 30% this time and I notice a much better recovery from a temp spike with it..

[threedogs]

Maybe try a stronger concentrate.. I went 30% this time and I notice a much better recovery from a temp spike with it..

Just running water atm will put a decent coolant in when it sorts its self out.
It may have been over filled this morning.

[jay see]

Nice to hear that its working it out for ya.