Berty Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Hi, Newbie hopeful owner here I've started looking for a Zed & was after some advice, I can't find much info on the net about headgaskets on these engines failing which I guess is a good sign as it can't be that common? I've viewed a car this week which overall looks pretty good, but whilst checking it over noticed some mayo in the oil filler cap, also a little around the threads in the fill hole in the rocker cover. Couldn't see any bubbling in the coolant when it was running, no excessive smoke from the exhaust but I've had bad luck with head gaskets on Rover V8 engines in the past (know this is a proper built engine compared to that ) & I'm nervous about getting caught out! I'm probably going to pass on this one because of the mayo, shame as it has a lot which is right. Local car, GT model, 54 plate, FSH at local Nissan dealership, 49,000, clean, couple of modifications. Stainless exhaust, Jim Wolf air cleaner & shield, double din touch screen stereo. What do you reckon, steer clear? Thanks & regards, Brett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L4V15 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 I can't imagine a 350z engine having head gasket failure at 49k especially with full Nissan service history as the chances are its been looked after properly. But then again you never know what may have happened to it really. If the coolant looks good etc its probably ok I guess. Maybe somebody has just done an oil top up during heavy rain or something. Could be froth from rain water getting in? Maybe you could check it out again in a week and if miles have been put on it in that time you should know if its ok? Does the seller have any explanation for it. I bet it's fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewan221 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 This can happen if car does a lot of short journeys and is not reaching operating temperature, was there any mixed with the oil ? Thing is though plenty of zeds out there, some well cared for ones in the for sale section on here. So if you don't feel comfortable with this one keep looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazh Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Could just be condensation, I've been in the motor trade selling parts 25 years and I know they haven't been around all that time, neither are they a common car, but I've never been asked for one. Rovers on the other hand, the K series engine keeps me in a job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 i'd say the k series V8 is a better engine, i had a k series and blew the head gasket on that; it was expected; wasn;t like it was a suprise. as for the zed's v6 you should be more concerned at oil consumption. as it usaully requires an engine rebuild. unlike a k series which just needs the heads skimming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 ^^Like Ewan, I think I'd be very wary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 its a buyers market out there on zeds, so if its not to a good standard go look at another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad1983 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Would have thought it was condensation, clean it out and take it on a decent test drive? Is it at a dealers, or private sale?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 If your unsure then walk away as others have said there's plenty out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 (edited) i'd say the k series V8 is a better engine, i had a k series and blew the head gasket on that; it was expected; wasn;t like it was a suprise. as for the zed's v6 you should be more concerned at oil consumption. as it usaully requires an engine rebuild. unlike a k series which just needs the heads skimming. Never driven a K series but you just know at some point the head gasket will go. In 5 years on these forums ive never read about a head gasket going, and i think i've only read about 1 or 2 people needing a rebuild, so i wouldnt even put these engines in the same league personally. Edited October 27, 2012 by marzman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren-B Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Never heard of. A head gasket going on a na zed. The cream pie is probably down to condensation in the rockers due to the low mileage & being kept outside. Probably a sound car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Never heard of. A head gasket going on a na zed. The cream pie is probably down to condensation in the rockers due to the low mileage & being kept outside. Probably a sound car. +1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 (edited) In answer to your question it is most unusual for head gaskets to fail. More than likely it is just as the guys have said or it may be an easily fixed breathing issue. I would not be to unduly worried with your findings and providing there is no oil in the coolant or the engine oil is not emulsified then I would be reasonably comfortable. Perhaps you could use your findings to negotiate on the asking price. Alex. Edited October 28, 2012 by ZMANALEX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berty Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 Thanks for all the replies chaps, good to hear it's possibly not an issue. For those that asked the car is for sale with a trader. I'd much rather buy off an enthusaiast but I have a bit of a hurdle in that I need to offload a Land Rover first to make space on the drive. The Landy was just a fun vehicle but I never use it anymore so want to get rid. I'll probably never see the value of it if I chop it in but I want to get it moving as quickly as possible. I'm happy to sell it privately as there's nothing wrong with it, but I don't want to get stuck advertising it for ages. The trader possibly won't take the Landy as it's pretty extensively modified & would appeal to an enthusiast more than a casual buyer. I need a Zed now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff1966 Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 I have recently bought one and had a comprehensive rac check done . They take oil from the car too and send away for analysis . Came back good as gold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Superb thread revival: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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