NismoR34

Yeah it opened up to around 10mm with the boiling water. I just got a 100 degree thermometer from someone at work today, so I can test it properly. Though I have already got a replacement thermostat from Nissan - i knew other shops sold them but wasn't 100% sure whether they were vehicle specific or not. I asked a guy at an auto shop last week and he looked up his catalogue and said that the company doesnt make for my car [and recommended going to Nissan] so I assumed from that, I needed a specific one. If he actually knew the parts were all similar he should have told me, oh well doesn't matter now. The nissan one was $37 - not a huge expense, especially if that makes the overheating problem go away!

HKS34R: I will remove my centre cluster tonight and take a pic of what it looks like underneath... From memory, its held in by a clip at the back and 3 screws at the front - behind the air vents / hazard switch. I am almost 100% certain that it will look different compared to the "TV/Navi" & the "nothing-in-the-centre" setups.

Found a contact number for MSI, spoke to a guy there [James]. They don't do parts anymore but they have forwarded my contact details on to someone who used to sell the parts through MSI. Fingers crossed

666DAN - I am not sure how easy it will fit but I would be keen to sell you mine when I get some nismo ones! I don't think the nismo ones come with the gauge housing - they just look like replacement gauges/inserts] [as seen in the first pic]. I got that same price for Greenline a couple of days ago and am waiting on a response from them, hopefully they can do cheaper for several. GTTR34 - You can probably still use the blue caps/globes but I don't know how it will show up the yellow colourings??? Or keep both gauges, one for weekdays and one for weekends OR one for Chapel st and one for Circuits Problem is I know MSI Racing have them listed for $200, but I don't know if they're in still in business? Any ideas Dan? I also know somebody who bought 1 of these from MSI - it was even less than $200! Their email bounces and no phone number, tried faxing - no reply yet either!

I agree that igor has a point [a good point] in general I just didn't think it related to my situation. I also didn't think my radiator was blocked [and still don't] because when I flushed it 2 weeks ago I witnessed coolant coming out of ALL orifices...is that enough to be convinced of it not being blocked? I guess a partly blocked radiator will still let coolant flow at a lower rate.

OK, I pulled out the thermostat last night and it's pretty much stuffed. After 3 attempts I finally managed to get it to open with boiling water straight out of the kettle. I also tried slightly cooler temps ie. mixing 400ml 60 degree tap water with 1600ml 100 degree boiling water and it didnt budge. Also after having it open [just] in the boiling water only, I removed it for 20 seconds and put it back in, at this stage I was assuming the water was still at least 90-95 degree and it did not open back up. The temperature stamp on it says 82 C - so I think it has grown tolerant of that temp. I have a mate [RedlineGTR] going to Nissan to try get me a replacement today! I lost about 4-5 litres of coolant mix whilst removing the thermo and also managed to snap the air release bolt [on top of the plenum] in the process ARGH!!!! I may do another flush or just top up with more of the same coolant... hopefully after replacing the thermo, things start to run normal again. Still need to test the Clutch Fan activity though... thanks!

Erik, want to start a Group Buy? See if we can find other ppl interested and I will see what I can do. I have emailed MSI Racing 4-5 times and it just keeps bouncing back - their email address [[email protected]] is dead! I sent them a Fax yesterday, no reply yet. It seems a bit dodgy that they don't list a phone number on their website contact details page. I am waiting for replies from 2-3 other companies at the moment and will let you know when I hear something

The car doesn't take long to warm up though. There really is no issue with how long or how hot it gets except that it gets too hot AND probably quicker than it should. What if the thermostat does not open? then radiator runs hotter than normal, less fluid in it, return hose doesn't get warm because the warm water that should be flowing through it isn't because the thermo isn't opening to let it through [at all]... Igor there isn't much logic to your comment? But I am trying Sounds like you understood it backwards perhaps?

Here's another pic

I am leaning even more towards the problem being the thermostat now, will try and get it out tonight [weds]... edit: Radiator was hot after the mrs took it for a short trip yesterday, top hose was pretty hot "couldnt leave your hand on it" hot. The bottom return hose was not even warm it felt about the same as the ambient temperature. Engine was too warm to do it last night, will remove thermostat tonight and test. Any advice on whether using a Standard replacement or a Colder Nismo thermostat is better? I am leaning towards just a std replacement at this stage, nismo ones are probably better suited to track cars rather than daily-driven, like mine. Opinions? Thanks.

Here's another pic

Like this one: Anyone have one or know where I can buy at a good price? I am getting quotes & waiting for replies from several different import part suppliers. Thanks Dale People interested in these so far: NismoR34 - me eriktufa Adzmax

Free bump, dont drop the price too low

Rob: I have got a Black R34 GTT [which is dark ;P] I live 2 streets away from you, when you coming round? I even have a buffer waiting Pics are ok I guess

I am leaning even more towards the problem being the thermostat now, will try and get it out tonight [weds]... edit: Radiator was hot after the mrs took it for a short trip yesterday, top hose was pretty hot "couldnt leave your hand on it" hot. The bottom return hose was not even warm it felt about the same as the ambient temperature. Engine was too warm to do it last night, will remove thermostat tonight and test. Any advice on whether using a Standard replacement or a Colder Nismo thermostat is better? I am leaning towards just a std replacement at this stage, nismo ones are probably better suited to track cars rather than daily-driven, like mine. Opinions? Thanks.

pm sent

Sorry I just meant a Catch Can 'kit'. I also want a brake stopper, Cusco make these, usually blue in colour, they get bolted to the Driver Side Suspension Tower and mount up against the Brake Master Cylinder... Thanks, Dale

I am keen to buy one of the cusco kits, can you also get the Cusco Brake Stopper? Thanks

Thanks for the warning NickR33. The car won't be driven much this week and I will be taking it to the mechanic on Saturday if I can't get to thermostat beforehand.

I had thought about getting the Nismo Thermostat and may decide to get one if my current one is stuffed, thanks Ed! I already have the cap, but i dont have the cash to do anything with the radiator unless its rusted out or something!

At the time of the first overheating / overflowing I hadn't touched the coolant or level in 12 months so I don't think it was related to the amount in the reservoir. Even now it isn't overfilled. In a way I am hoping its the thermostat that's stuffed, otherwise it could be a much bigger problem...

Ah, now I know what you mean about the clutch fan - I will test it next time I drive the car. So it obviously gets faster when it "hooks up". I am pretty sure I have heard the different sound in the past but will re-check it. The overheating has only been recent and on the hottest days - not that many since summer started, but thats Melbourne! First time it ran hot was probably 2-3 weeks ago now, weather was hot and I had just driven the car for 2x short 20 minute runs. Coolant spat out of the over flow as it was bubbling over [in the overflow reservoir]. Problem is at that time I had put the standard Radiator cap on just the night before, which runs at a lower pressure to my Nismo one. I put the Nismo one back on and didnt see any problems until the next hot day I think, which was like a week later. The belt squeak is usually around start-up time [from a cold start] and usually goes away not long after, say a couple of minutes. I had the car in my garage when I was testing the coolant / revving and didnt want to get it everywhere! You have been a great help so far wrxhoon, thanks a lot!

Thats why I said: No response from this guy via email yet either, not looking good!

bump

PM Sent. Got a pic of the interior / dash? Thanks