Radiator cap? coolant leak

Darwins Child

Therefore, because the hose and tank are pressurized, and one of the two small OEM clamps has already leaked, I used the second SS worm clamp in the 2-pack to replace the other small OEM clamp on the same hose where it attaches to the tank. (The second small clamp was considerably tighter than the first, but I replaced it anyway.)

Just out of curiosity, I checked our '10 Mit. Outlander which has 106,000 km (versus 9,500 km on the Z) and it has the same type of larger hose clamps and they've never failed, so I'll accept the same risk on the Z's larger clamps holding. Knock on wood.

For the $180+ cost of Nissan's pre-purhcase inspection, the tech should have diagnosed that leakage correctly (if it does indeed turn out to be the hose clamp that was leaking, which at this point I'm 90% certain of). The tech stating with certainty that it was the cap that was leaking (almost certainly without doing a pressure test) was not only just plain wrong, it sent me down diagnostic paths that I would not normally have taken-- for example, starting this thread because I assumed that the tech was correct and that the new replacement cap must still somehow be the problem; and just exactly WHAT could the problem be with the new cap or the part it seals against, etc, as I detailed in my first and ensuing comments.

If I had discovered those signs of leakage myself, without the input from an "expert", I would have replaced the clamp first thing, monitored the result, and not bothered this forum, let alone a stealership, with something so trivial.

This experience once again reinforces my long-held policy to take what "experts" in various professions -- from health to finance to politics to automotive -- only as advice, and with a very big, very skeptical grain of salt. In this case, even though I have never had to replace a radiator cap on any vehicle I've ever owned, because the Z has what to me is an unusual cooling system arrangement, I assumed that the tech actually knew what he was talking about when it comes to the Z.

Thanks for all the help, guys. I appreciate it.

BTW, I did not forget to re-install the cap on the tank before I closed the hood (for the second time), but I must admit that posting this latest photo was indeed a helpful reminder.

Attached Images

coolant leak 8.jpg (100.3 KB, 22 views)

Jhill

Ok so let me break this down for you as to what the auto tech experiences. That 180.00 you pay is about 1 hr drive rate time which the tech gets about 20.00-24.00 of. Generally diag is 1hr. What you are asking now is for the tech to do his whole inspection and now do diag for no additional cost. This is why techs are leaving in waves because flate rate pay and expecting us to do everything for free, it isn't our fault that the drive rates are so high but yet the dealers don't want to lower or ask for the extra hour. No they just expect the techs to take it and eat it. That coolant pressure test system, a professional one that will last pressure test and not fall apart after three uses will cost about 360.00, guess who has to buy it, the tech.

And now your asking him to work for 10-15. An hour if you factor his hourly rate spread over the free diag time.

This is why you don't find qualified techs were all leaving the sinking ship.

Darwins Child

And, therefore, what the Nissan tech should have written was that "there is a coolant leak that requires further diagnosis" in the area that I've shown in the initial photos. Period. I would then have taken note of it and probably proceeded as I stated in my last comment rather then being led astray, etc.

Jhill

You are correct and that is what should have been done just usually after a tech says there is a coolant (or other fluid leak) the dealers allways follow up with well what's leaking? I need to know what to sell the customer etc ect and always push for free anweres because they want great customer reviews and not get comments of OMG they charged me $$$ never go here again they are a rip off. So after years and years of fighting for every penny trying to get time to do things the right way, techs just break down and go it's probably just this and shotgun parts at cars. It isn't right, it is a screwed up situation all around.