Hey guys, I had my DC headers installed yesterday by a local shop. I drove the car home (about 20min) and everything was fine. Today I drove to the gym (about 10min away), came back home and the second I pulled into my driveway, I saw my temp gauge hit full H. I popped the hood and the coolant reservoir was completely full and bubbling hot, and looked to be leaking a tad out of the cap from the pressure. There was also coolant on the ground and near the wheel well on the same side.

I filled the radiator with distilled water and turned the car on to see where the issue was. After about 90 seconds I saw smoke coming from the left-side headers (looking at the engine bay from the front). There was coolant dripping down onto the headers, causing the smoke.

From what I can tell, the leak is coming from this part pictured below. Any idea's what it could be or what could have happened? Did the shop that installed the headers forget to do something?

 

I’d bet they removed that coolant pipe to gain access, and may have created a leak there. I’d give them a call or head back.

 

Sounds like it wasn't bled properly and there's a leak.

 

Ok, I jacked up the car and found where the dripping coolant spot. It looks to be between these two pipes.

Is there supposed to be a bolt clamping these together?

 

13075-4W00C
Is that missing bolt part number.

https://parts.nissanusa.com/a/Nissan...3.html#14053BA

 

@iideadeyeii You are a a gentleman and a scholar. It looks like that is the missing bolt. Do you think I simply get the bolt and screw it in or do I need to get a new O-ring and take it all apart?

Obviously I need to do a full coolant flush after...

 

I personally would put the bolt in and see if it still leaks before doing all that work. I would assume it would leak once pressure builds up, but not when it is cold/un-pressurized.I wouldn't bring it back to that shop to trust them to bleed it properly.

 

Just ordered the bolt (and o-ring just in case) and will pick it up tomorrow morning.

Should I put the bolt in and start it to see if it's leaking or would I risk damaging the engine? (Also ok to do this on jack stands?)

I also just don't want to do a full coolant flush first and then find there is still a leak..

 

@iideadeyeii I put the bolt in, cranked it down, and it's still dripping from that spot. Do you think the O-ring is shot or do I need to replace one of those two coolant pipes? Not sure where to go from here.. =/

Looks like this has been discussed before: https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...lant-pipe.html

 

Did you install the bolt with plumber's tape?

 

@jhc No I did not. It's extremely hard to get to. Would I apply plumbers tape to the bolt or to the actual pipe? I'd assume you mean to take the screw out, try to push the pipe out a little, wrap the pipe with Teflon tape, then put it back together?

 

I haven't needed to do this repair but I'd say if you can identity the leak is coming from the bolt/hole, remove it, tape or RTV it (in that case cure overnight ). If it's from where the pipe inserts replace the gasket/o-ring. Gl!

EDIT
If the leak is persistent I'd consider replacing the whole assembly, assuming it's still available. If a $30 part is preventing you from enjoying your car, then...gl!

 

The bolt hole doesn’t carry coolant, sealing it will be pointless and make further repairs a struggle as the bolt will be harder to come out after being loosened.
The o-ring will need to be changed first, the old one may be installed wrong or just not sealing. Check the o-ring closely as it may have corrosion on it from the aluminum pipe…or rust from the steel pipe, in which case the pipe(s) will need to be cleaned with probably a small screwdriver and some emery cloth or sandpaper. If the pipe is corroded to the point where you can feel pitting, you should smear some light rtv inside before sliding in the other pipe, then leave it overnight to set up before filling.
You do not need to do a coolant flush afterwards, just put back in what you took out and top off with appropriate coolant.

 

Try to sneak a new o-ring in there. They might of damaged the o-ring or it just failed after disassembly.

 

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