I have a 1983 Datsun 280zx (digital dashboard) and with the cooling fan that sits on top of the engine.

I notice, when I go for a lengthy drive and then park the car and turn it off (such as going to the store) I notice after 5 minutes the cooling fan kicks on and stays on for 10 minutes or so.

I sit down in the car and look at the digital thermostat and its way above the middle point (center on the digital gauge) until I turn my engine again and get coolant pumping through the interior of the engine.

Now is this normal for this engine to get that toasty while sitting and everything being off? I come from having a 4 cylinder Saturn SC2 (worst car I ever owned) and it never got that warm.

Should this be a concern?

And if so, how could I remedy this?

 

The fan kicks on after you shut off the car if the coolant temp ever got above the normal range. It's something like 215*F+. The FSM has info on it.

So, is your radiator full? Proper coolant / water mix?
When was the last time you changed your thermostat?
Were you running the a/c?
Have you looked at your radiator / a/c condensor faces to make sure the fins aren't bent or blocked by road debris?

If you have an infrared thermometer, check the temp at the thermostat housing / upper rad hose, and compare to the temp at the lower rad hose. If your radiator is cooling properly, there will be a 20*-30*F temp drop.

 

Hi Nismo, thanks for the reply.
Yes, the fan does kick on due to higher than normal temps and will stay on for a period of time.

And as per your questions here are my responses
So, is your radiator full? Proper coolant / water mix?
Radiator is full with coolant (although there may be a tiny leak somewhere in one of those many hoses)

When was the last time you changed your thermostat?
Never have, but it seems to be showing accurately? I mean as I run the car it shows normal 'middle' temperatures...

Were you running the a/c?
sometimes yes, most of the time, no. Regardless, it still reacts the same.

Have you looked at your radiator / a/c condensor faces to make sure the fins aren't bent or blocked by road debris?
Actually yes! and everything looks pretty good, nothing covering it

If you have an infrared thermometer, check the temp at the thermostat housing / upper rad hose, and compare to the temp at the lower rad hose. If your radiator is cooling properly, there will be a 20*-30*F temp drop.
I'll purchase one of those directional infrared thermometers and look.

But as for an average thing this engine does, is this normal or not? I know that these engines get warm, but is it too warm, any emergencies that I should look for if it is?

Right now I'm running a strong radiator flush to make sure it cleans any gunk or rust debris out of the engine.

 

Also the radiator hoses (inlet and outlet) to the actual radiator are hot and rock-solid (a ton of pressure) when the car is driven for a while and I do see some swelling with the hose (around the clamps).

Normal?

 

Normal? No. But it does happen. The temp gauge should rarely go above the middle because the thermostat and radiator should be regulating the coolant temp enough to keep the temp fairly even. But, on a long hill climb, the temp can jump because of the extended time period of load on the engine. I frequently test drive my 280ZXT up a 2 mile STEEP hill by my garage... I actually did it last week in 95*F ambient temp, half to full boost (8psi), and the temp gauge did peak a bit above half way, then cooled right off to under half way on the coast down the hill. I like the 280zx analog gauges because they are real time, not the goofy fake "electronic" kind in cars these days.

The first thing to do is replace the thermostat, I'd say with a 180* one, or whatever is OEM.

 

I have an 83 Datsun 280zx (non-turbo) and I live in an arid climate of 110 degrees on average a day. My vehicle has been kind of warm lately (coolant wise).

Would it be alright if I popped off the thermostat?

Bonus points -- how does the thermostat work on the Datsun? I see 3 plugs, is it electronically controlled or pressure, how does it work specifically, it may be the cause of the overheating problems I may be having

 

Merged threads.

No.

The same way it works on every other car. It opens at a certain temp, and regulates temperature.

Those are sensors, not thermostat. Crack open the FSM.

 

Time to replace the hoses if they swell up ,you don't want them to blew up on you in traffic and you don't want them to collapse on you either.Get the ones with metal coils in them!!