280zx Coolant leak

SteveG

Club Member
That wee thing is unfortunately unobtainium. Its a pressure relief valve that allows coolant to flow from the lower thermostat housing to the water pump if the engine is at high revs when it’s cold before the thermostat opens.

Been looking for a replacement myself. Looks like it can be prised open, but I’ve not been brave enough myself yet to try.

I didn’t get that Steve. The site allowed me to pay straight away. I ordered two taking Chef‘s advise. If there is a problem with you getting hold of one, you can get one from me in the mean time when they turn up.
They have now sent the payment email but saying ignore it because "The part is not available" - fingers crossed you order is ok
 
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SteveG

Club Member
Weeell mine won’t be coming either. Just received a refunding note. Back to combing tinternet for one.🤬
Oh no!
I have bought a used one from a guy in the US. Not quite sure what I'm going to do with it. Whether to install or refurbish
 

Ped

Club Member
Weeell mine won’t be coming either. Just received a refunding note. Back to combing tinternet for one.🤬
That really is very annoying. I've had the same experience in the past from various sellers. They really shouldn't make out it's on the shelf when it's not.
 

Amble280

Club Member
That really is very annoying. I've had the same experience in the past from various sellers. They really shouldn't make out it's on the shelf when it's not.
I've been trying to get one for the last 3 years & also had refunding notes when two different sellers took my money then said not available.
 

SteveG

Club Member
I finally managed to get a used one off a guy on facebook ZX forum. He sent it USPS and it went from USA to UK to Saudi Arabia back to USA then to UK.. how bizarre . I'm going to clean it up and give it a go and hopefully it doesn't leak.
1685042107270.png
 

chef

Club Member
I finally managed to get a used one off a guy on facebook ZX forum. He sent it USPS and it went from USA to UK to Saudi Arabia back to USA then to UK.. how bizarre . I'm going to clean it up and give it a go and hopefully it doesn't leak.
View attachment 58227
Good luck with it, like I said previously I do have a couple of old ones if you get desperate, just let me know 👍
 

Huw

Club Member
Hi Stuart.

Would it be possible to get one of those old ones off you? Mines held together with silicone sealer at the moment. No chances of finding a replacement so far.

Huw
 

chef

Club Member
Hi Stuart.

Would it be possible to get one of those old ones off you? Mines held together with silicone sealer at the moment. No chances of finding a replacement so far.

Huw
No problem, I’ll root one out and send it you, I’ll look for the best one but you can’t really tell until they’re on 👍
 
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chef

Club Member
Well it’s took me a long time For a reply, as you probably know I’m a chef & have a very busy restaurant so the last couple of months have been hectic, but anyway, I’ve been doing my winter engine strip & clean and I thought I would pull apart one my old water valve, the unicorn shit ones, inside they are very simple, a plunger on a spring, copper spring I think, in a plastic housing, oring at either end and just pressed in, looks very fixable, I’ll give it a go, don’t hold your breath 😉, but at least you know now, I’ll put pictures up too.
happy new year to everyone & I hope this is helpful 👍
cheers Stuart
 

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chef

Club Member
Well it’s took me a long time For a reply, as you probably know I’m a chef & have a very busy restaurant so the last couple of months have been hectic, but anyway, I’ve been doing my winter engine strip & clean and I thought I would pull apart one my old water valve, the unicorn shit ones, inside they are very simple, a plunger on a spring, copper spring I think, in a plastic housing, oring at either end and just pressed in, looks very fixable, I’ll give it a go, don’t hold your breath 😉, but at least you know now, I’ll put pictures up too.
happy new year to everyone & I hope this is helpful 👍
cheers Stuart
P.S sorry Huw, just realised that I didn’t send you an old one😬,
do you still want one?
 

Huw

Club Member
Lovely clean motor Stuart! Yes please if you have any knocking about. They are way more rare than unicorn droppings. 👍
 

chef

Club Member
Lovely clean motor Stuart! Yes please if you have any knocking about. They are way more rare than unicorn droppings. 👍
Lost your address sorry Huw, if you can forward it to me I’ll post one out, found a couple, I’ve a ton of spares, my good friend Geof Coates used to run Zsports salvage & when he retired I filled up my car a few times with spare bits of all sorts, amazing what I find, I just to gather it all together, I’ve got parts in my garage/workshop at home, the unit that share with my lad & another garage at a different house a few miles away, selling the other house soon so I’ll be gathering all my bits together and sorting out. Sorry for the rant, anyway send me your address 👍
stuart
 
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toopy

Club Member
For something that earlier cars have managed perfectly well without, can't you just blank it off either end? or is it a keeping it looking as factory as possible kinda thing? In which case fair enough ;)
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
For something that earlier cars have managed perfectly well without, can't you just blank it off either end? or is it a keeping it looking as factory as possible kinda thing? In which case fair enough ;)
And that’s why a lot of us drive with the heater valve open especially on hot days :(. My understanding is that on the earlier cars, the back of the engine at cyl 6 can have heating issues and this valve improves the flow back there when the heater cock is closed.

Happy to be corrected.
 

chef

Club Member
Lovely clean motor Stuart! Yes please if you have any knocking about. They are way more rare than unicorn droppings. 👍
Hi Hugh,
just wondered if you’d be interested in this front spoiler, it’s a very old rga one that fits under your style bumper, I had it on mine but I changed the bumper and I’m clearing out a garage of a house I’m selling, I’ve got loads of zx stuff in there, ive not gone through it all but this stood out, I loved it on mine it’s totally unique now, it fits under the bumper, just needs riveting on, blending in & painting. I won’t use it now but in the day it was the most cool front to have on your 280, let me know what you think before I advertise it. wanted to let you know because it is cool, I forgot I had kept it😁
 

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Huw

Club Member
Hi Stuart. Thats good of you to think of me mate. But I will pass on this. Those front spoiler are very cool though. I would be interested to find out what other goodies you have stashed away. It’s amazing what you can come across when cleaning out and have forgotten you had! 😁
 
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