GTR

Hehe, I feel special, j/k. Seriously though, my 1981 280ZX is a N/A and it's kinda getting annoying having to refill the antifreeze every day. I noticed that one of my freeze plugs is leaking, just a trickle though, and not fast enough for me to have to keep refilling sometimes twice a day. I did find a puddle, but it's right between the engine and transmission....so i'm really confused now. I've gotten under to look and the only place it looks like it's dripping from is between that funny plate that acts like a transmission cover between the enging and tranny. Does that make any sense to yall? I also noticed that the support brackets are missing, which means that the plate kinda sits away from the tranny like an inch, and that's where it drips. Ok, that's all i have and this is getting long so.......HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!!!

SHADY280

there is a freeze plug on the back of the block right in there, looks like the tranny has to come out, or worst case senario, the headgasket is blown towards the outside. if you got on frost plug leaking, they all may, just depends on the compotence of the person that installed them, or there age

GTR

oops, i guess i should have clarified a little better about the leak and plugs.....(i have a dirty motor ^^) so far the only plug i noticed that leaks (clean swatch right below it :P) is the one above the dipstick, all the others are dry. Hmmmmmmmmm, i checked the plug on the head and it's fine......is there one in the block too, between the block and tranny? I think they're the original plugs......but i could be wrong

SHADY280

there is one in the back of the block in the tranny bellhousing, if i was in better medical condition, i could go confirm at my shop with my spare block or fsm.

GTR

poo, :s-redeemer:

GTR

well there goes my day off.....oh well....i guess it's time to get pulling, hehe, a perfect excuse to buy an engine lift, anyhoo, i'll keep you upated, k?

SHADY280

good rose, put a new centerforce clutch and nissan throwout bearing while your at it, its worth it!

rogerz

Before you pull the tranny make sure something isn't leaking out of the heater hoses. They come out the back of the head near the firewall. On the 81 there is a plastic tee looking thing that is actually a spring loaded check valve. This was leaking on my 81zxt. it would drip down about where you are seeing it. If you can get under the car and look directly up you will see the bottom of this thing or reach under neath with clean paper towel and see if it comes up green (assumign you using normal type antifreeze.) I'd take a picture but I sold the rascal about a week ago. Same color as yours which is a color I really like but the wife said one of the z's had to go. I ask you is five z's too many?????????????
roger 83zxt, 83 zx n/a, 85 z31 turbo, 96 z32 TT

lww

Heater hoses is exactly what I was thinking too.

GTR

thanx for the advice rogerz and lww; however, that was also my very first thought(really rusty, i'm going to replace it anyway since the motor will be comming out) so i hooked up a collant system pressure tester and got nothing but a small squirt, and not in the direction that that water is leaking. The rest of the block is also dry. I am planning on prying that plate back a little to see if i can see flash rust or something that would give me a clue......i hate squeezing under cars.

rogerz

I think you can dismount that plate rather than prying it out of the way. 2-3 bolts holding it on. Not for sure but think it is not under anything on the bell housing.

GTR

Ok, i got to get a look in my tranny and there is a lot of water (no wonder my clutch is slipping), and i really really hope there is a freeze plug in there. Would anyone like to come over and give me a hand at removing my tranny?

SHADY280

i would if i could rose, ive done crap loads of them

FubarI33t

i know i am probly almost the closeist. but i just can't do it. srry.

GTR

i really appreciate the gesture guy's, but after some searching i found what i needed and have located some "outside" help so i guess that's the end of this thread.

hoov100

ive got to point this out, im not trying to get/hurt anyone, but the first tech post post for someone who has been here a while is in the general zx descussion.. .im going to sleep now....

GTR

Hmmmmm, strange....but the leaking has now suddenly stopped, now i'm really confused....oh and i replaced the one freeze plug on the side of the block and that didn't stop the excessive leaking.......before it decided to fix itself.....Christine?

hoov100

if its working right and it doesnt cause any problems i would just leave it alone..

GTR

yeah, yer probably right

RodMoyes

If it aint broke... Fix it til it is!

Rod.

SHADY280

at our shop the motto is, "drive it in, push it out"

hoov100

drive it till it dies!