Already!?

[StockTurbosFTW]

If you saw my thread yesterday you will know I just got my Z up running again...until now...
I drove the car to work and when I looked outside I noticed what looked like a bunch of water that came from under my car. I went out and took a look and it certaily started under my car. I started driving home and as the car got warmed it it started squeeking (like some cars do when they first start up.) I then noticed the heat gauge starting to go up. I pulled into my driveway and popped the hood and water was litterally spraying on my face. The fan was blowing water up into my face...
Any ideas what that could be?

[DCaff300ZX]

Water pump would be my first guess, followed by hoses. Years ago my NA lost the w-pump and it caused the same large puddle as it sat and disgorged water as it cooled, and after it got replaced with a bad one, when I got home and checked it water was starting to leak out onto the ground again from the air being mixed into the water and over pressurizing the system.
Given the hassle and fact the tb must come off to do the repair job, perhaps a 120K service is also in order as I did at that time...

[StockTurbosFTW]

Oh god I hope it is the water pump. The last issue, like 15 miles ago, a hose blew, I said I thought it was the water pump because this is around the time I would expect it to go. The guy doing the repairs said you can't put a time on when the water pump goes out. My car is approaching 140K miles and I have had the 120K mile kit in my garage for 3 years...My wife can't justify spending the 700 bucks to do it and the guy that does my work refuses to replace parts that aren't broken. If it's a water pump, it is all getting done...period...and my light weight pulleys

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Y U no DIY?

[NolimitZ32]

^ this, the water pump is fairly easy and requires no specialty tools, just a fan/radiator pull.

[StockTurbosFTW]

Well because I was going to do the entire 120K mile kit and the quotes for labor are always 700-750 bucks...apparently my wife can't justify that money...

[StockTurbosFTW]

It just really sucks to have no one to work on the car...

[NolimitZ32]

Then do the 120 yourself, all of the tools required can be loaned from autozone. Or do you not trust yourself to do the work?

[StockTurbosFTW]

Let's put it this way...I was attempting to take the stuff off so he could do the 120 kit for me. I printed out a step by step...
http://z32.wikispaces.com/Timing+Belt+Service
Obviously it couldn't be done without jacking the car up and I don't have jack stands...
I got fan shroud off the radiator, and the hoses off...that is where I got stuck...
Obviously I am just that dumb when it comes to cars...

[bartZ32tt]

the guy that does my work refuses to replace parts that aren't broken.

Get yourself a new mechanic. It's called PREVENTIVE maintenance for a reason. I hope his philosophy doesn't apply to timing belts

The guy doing the repairs said you can't put a time on when the water pump goes out.

He's wrong again - it's part of the 120k kit. Service interval is inherently 120k miles.

[StockTurbosFTW]

First off, he is the only mechanic I have...he is the only thing close...I mean he did solve the last problem I had for free. He will fix what is broken, which is better than nothing...

But of course his philosophy applies to timing belts...He said if we have to go in there, he would see how the timing belt looks, but didn't want to replace it if it is okay. I mean I get where he is coming from...shall we replace everything every couple of years "just to make sure?" The problem is he is a general mechanic...a marine mechanic specifically, so he knows cars in general, and "American" cars specifically. He doesn't understand that Z owners know their cars better than general car people...I mean we have guys that specialize in Zs...

I just really hope it is the water pump so I can say "I guess I was lucky that I said it would be failing around this time?"

But, hey...You live in Iowa...are you capable of doing the 120K kit? You are within realistic driving distance...I can pay ya to do it...

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Yes, you should replace everything that's on a service schedule. Maybe explain to him that if your belt (or any carrying components: idlers, tensioner etc) fail, then your engine is history. You should tell him:

"Here are the parts, put them on my car and I give you money, that's how this works. You are not ripping me off, I WANT you to do this stuff. K, thanks, bye"

Otherwise, find a member in your area. Where do you live? There is usually someone within a few 100 miles to help the DIY.

Rarely does a belt fail, it's usually the tensioner or bearings in an idler. That's all it takes to grenade a VG. This isn't a f*** pushrod V8

[300ZXttZMAN]

Y U no DIY?

+2

Its really not as bad as you may think it is.

[z32loverboy]

It's really not bad at all, I did it in my garage laying on cardboard one night and it took me a good few hours. Going ahead and doing the maint when the manufacturer says it needs done is way smarter than listening to a "general mechanic" who "only replaces it if it's broken". No offense but he has no idea what he's talking about with interference engines (ones like the vg30). DIY and learn the stuff, it's so worth it to not have to hope that the mechanic is doing the job right. That's my .02

[StockTurbosFTW]

Yeah, I hear you guys...you have all told me this before...like I said, the parts have been sitting in my garage for years...I will offer him money and if he still doesnt want to do it, I will come up with another option.

[NolimitZ32]

I'd say find someone else (if only for the timing belt), if he's never touched a OHC, interference engine before, a VG30DE is not the one to start on.

[Ruber Ducky]

If he does go in and for some reasone get all the way to the belt, you might as well have him replace it while he's there....

It's like an extra 30 min to an hr of work.

Just piece of mind.

[bartZ32tt]

First off, he is the only mechanic I have...he is the only thing close...I mean he did solve the last problem I had for free. He will fix what is broken, which is better than nothing...

But of course his philosophy applies to timing belts...He said if we have to go in there, he would see how the timing belt looks, but didn't want to replace it if it is okay. I mean I get where he is coming from...shall we replace everything every couple of years "just to make sure?" The problem is he is a general mechanic...a marine mechanic specifically, so he knows cars in general, and "American" cars specifically. He doesn't understand that Z owners know their cars better than general car people...I mean we have guys that specialize in Zs...

I just really hope it is the water pump so I can say "I guess I was lucky that I said it would be failing around this time?"

But, hey...You live in Iowa...are you capable of doing the 120K kit? You are within realistic driving distance...I can pay ya to do it...

There are certain things the maintenance schedule advises to check at a certain number of miles (bushings, exhaust, etc) and then there are things that you must replace at a certain number of miles (waterpump/timing belt, etc). He can often times get away with his methodology with non-critical components but then there are times like these where he can't.

Where are you located? I'm definitely capable of doing it, just a matter of finding the time to do so.

[StockTurbosFTW]

Yeah, I know what you are saying. I mean now I have to get the car towed to the shop which is around 200 bucks and I wouldn't have had to pay that if I just did the water pump before (assuming it is the water pump.)

I live in Apple Valley, MN which is about 20 minutes south of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Des Moines is 3 1/2-4 hour drive. If you think we could do it, PM and we can talk about money and arrangements. Also, I am pretty flexibile on time, so it would be up to your schedule. No rush...I have had the parts sitting around for 3 years...