So, I just got my first Z last weekend and am attempting to resolve a few of its issues. The coolant system is my number 1 concern at present because the temp sender has failed and I keep losing coolant at the rate of approximately 1 quart every 2 days. I've tried to find a replacement sender, but no one has one that looks like the one that's in there (with the little wire hanging out of it). Does anyone know if this one might work http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...5091&rd=1&rd=1? As far as the coolant loss goes, I've had the system pressure tested and nothing's wrong there. So, it must be getting too hot and evaporating? I'm not sure. Please help!

 

That sensor on ebay is what you need. As for the loss of coolant, if you're not leaking it, you're burning it... which means you have a leaking / blown head gasket. Those are always fun.

 

The guy I bought the car from said he just rebuilt the engine and I'm inclined to believe him. Wouldn't it be spewing white smoke if the head gasket were blown?

 

Not always, but white smoke is a good sign of a blown hg. There's only so many places coolant can go... and if it's not leaking onto the ground, it's narrowed down quite a bit. Check all the coolant lines & connections... check the radiator fins & also the cap.

 

I checked again after a short drive and there was some moisture on the hose connection right above the alternator. I moved the clamp up toward the fitting some more and really cranked down on it. I guess I'll have to drive it some more to find out if the leaking stopped. Oh the torture!

 

Let's hope that was the prob....

 

Just went for a quick drive and checked the coolant levels when I got back. The resevoir is actually more full than when I started and the area around the clamp I tightened is bone dry. The hose looks new. So maybe when the last owner replaced it, he just didn't tighten it enough. We'll see.

 

That sounds plausible enough ! nice that somethings are an easy fix

 

Ain't it the truth!!!

 

Usually a quick check of the oil (if grayish then you have water in the oil) will tell you if you have a leaky head gasket, but from what you wrote additionally it appears to be a loose hose clamp. Most of the time it's the little things that cause the most problems. Good Luck

 

Sounds like you may have found the problem.

Good luck.




Rod.

 

Indeed. That ended up being the problem. Now, however, I've got a small leak by the radiator drain **** - probably a result of having drained it so many times in failed attempts to replace my water temperature gauge sensor. But that shouldn't be a biggy. I'm just waiting for it to cool down now so that I can attempt sensor replacement one last time.