300zx issues

[trandana]

Hey guys
I have a couple questions, first of all what is the part circled in the picture? And why might it be leaking from the top out of the cap? Just a bad cap? Seems like its oil that is leaking.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g143/ ... tcb7d4.jpg

Second, when I turn up the boost my car stereo turns off for a second under hard acceleration and then reboots. It doesn't do this when im just driving normally, and it doesn't do it
when the boost is turned to stock, even under acceleration. The stereo ground is good, havn't checked the amps yet.

Thanks in advance!

[maik3r]

The circled is your power steering fluid reservoir. The more likely scenario would be your hi-pressure hose. If it is faulty it will make a mess, not to mention dump onto your alternator

[trandana]

Oh its definitely making a mess, I bought the car like that unfortunately and just noticed it.
That could explain both problems. Thanks a lot!

[evildky]

DO NOT USE POWER STEERING FLUID! These cars use Dextron type atx in their power steering systems, it's much thicker than regular power steering fluid with a higher temp range, using standard power steering fluid will only make your leaks worse.

The stereo cutting out, I'd bet is a ground issue. I'm guessing this is an aftermarket head unit and you probably used a plug and play harness adapter, take the ground wire form that harness and run it directly to a chassis ground.

[trandana]

Thanks evildky good to know
Also my HICAS light comes on sometimes, could this be related to the power steering leak?

[grayman_TT]

It could be throwing the hicas light if the fluid is low. You may have to run the hicas diagnostic to see if a fault code if present.

[trandana]

Okay thanks I will do that.

The leak is definitely coming from the cap on top of the reservoir. Could it still be the fault of the high pressure hose causing it to overflow?
Judging by the mess it made a lot of parts might need replacing. The sway bars all have splooge on them

[Taleek]

I'm having a similar problem with my Z. Just bought it, didn't notice, and the previous owner didn't know anything of a leak with the ps system. But mine is coming out of the bottom and just spilling onto the road. Don't want to drive it for fear of hurting the alternator, and that doesn't look like any fun to replace haha. From what I have read though it is a common thing for these cars to leak from the high pressure hose. I found after market Kevlar hoses to replace all the ps lines for the same price as a stock OEM high pressure line so when I can I'm going to do that. Mine is throwing HICAS light as well whenever the fluid gets low if I fill up the reservoir it turns off.

[RubyRed300ZX]

1. The power steering high pressure line was cobbled together out of the parts bin. It's junk. They simply lengthened an existing line used on some other model by splicing in more hose with a swage fitting. Then they encased the fitting in a foam sleeve. The line drips condensation into the foam sleeve where it sits and rusts out the fitting. Buy a new line without the damn fitting in the middle.

2. If you're spitting fluid out of the cap on top of the power steering pump, it would indicate that the pump isn't rotating (would be the same as turning the steering wheel without the engine running). Check to see if your belt is properly tensioned on the power steering pump. Check to see if the pump pulley is able to spin.

[trandana]

Hmm well the pump pulley is definitly spinning up no problem

[trandana]

I bled the power steering lines a bit, the previous owner simply over filled the reservoir :S When the car was on the pressure spewed it out of the cap.
As for the stereo, I think there is a loose connection getting wet from the rain. The car wouldn't even start after a car wash, but now that it's been nice out and no rain for a few weeks the problem has never reoccurred.

[trandana]

So I learned today that I havn't been bleeding air out of the cooling lines properly lol
So I'm going to try the right way today, but I also noticed that the AC fan is completely broken and never turns on.
On days like today where its very hot out, regardless of wether or not the AC is on, that fan should be coming on and its not.
And On days like today under these conditions is usually when it overheats. And it was today. could it be that the car is trying to
turn that fan on and its not, causing the car to overheat?
I will be replacing that fan, but ill post back after i try bleeding the lines properly.

[trandana]

Whoops wrong thread, disregard pls