Hello all, this past weekend my G35 suddenly started overheating up to the max, I had to find a spot to park and when I checked the coolant was spilled everywhere, I parked at homedepot and bought some coolant. When I parked I noticed the reservoir still had coolant, actually it was past the max slightly but still there was coolant all over the radiator, fan etc.
I didn't want to add more coolant to the reservoir that was already full so I poured some in the radiator.
The car kept overheating until I made it home a couple miles away but I had to stop every half a mile to let it cool. The coolant in the reservoir never changed it was still slightly over max.
My car is a 2004 6MT and currently has 143k miles. It was a very hot day in Miami at 103F.
I'm guessing a hose or a radiator leak, any advice or idea what's going on?
Also, if anyone knows a good Infiniti mechanic in Miami, Fl please let me know.

 

You'd need to provide more info/pics to help properly diagnose a coolant leak - but sounds like upper hose or the rad tanks cracked/busted open.
Considering the age of theses cars, I'd recommend to replace the radiator, radiator hoses, and heater hoses if they haven't already been done. Z1 and others alike make very nice replacement silicone hoses that should last the life of the car.

 

So you have a sixteen almost seventeen year old vehicle. You can do a pressure test to determine if its hoses leaking or the radiator itself?
If you plan on keeping the vehicle perhaps its time to do a complete tune up on your cooling system?
New hoses, radiator cap, water pump, thermostat, and radiator if that is leaking.
Are your fans working? Even if they are, if they are original, perhaps replace those too.
Don't cheap out on parts or you'll be returning here soon.
Just my $.02

Good luck

 

Thanks, I really love my car, I had a G37 coupe leased until I bought my G35 6MT so yes I want to keep it for as long as I can. On a guestimate, how much would hoses, radiator ($100ish) and more would cost? Any idea?
Do I really need to change the water pump?

 

I loved my first two Infiniti G35 and G37 6 speed manuals also but once they required substantial repair costs I upgraded to my current 2016 Q 70.
If I were you I would price out those parts at an Infiniti dealer after doing a pressure test and following the troubleshooting steps in the cooling section of the FSM
Ideally Infiniti dealers do quality work, use factory parts, and stand behind their work. That comes at a price that perhaps is beyond your budget?
Unless you can find a shop that is honest and does quality work and offers guarantees using the dealer might be best but also the most expensive.
I learned the hard way years ago to not use independent shops as many of them will end up screwing the customer.
Whatever you decide do not pay cash.
Use a credit card.
In the past fifteen years as an Infiniti owner, I have no complaints of my local Infiniti dealer. First time I've purchased three consecutive vehicles from the same dealer.

I do not expect this to continue not because of the dealer but from today's New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/b...gtype=Homepage

The Age of Electric Cars Is Dawning Ahead of Schedule

Battery prices are dropping faster than expected. Analysts are moving up projections of when an electric vehicle won’t need government incentives to be cheaper than a gasoline model.

"

As car sales collapsed in Europe because of the pandemic, one category grew rapidly: electric vehicles. One reason is that purchase prices in Europe are coming tantalizingly close to the prices for cars with gasoline or diesel engines.

At the moment this near parity is possible only with government subsidies that, depending on the country, can cut more than $10,000 from the final price. Carmakers are offering deals on electric cars to meet stricter European Union regulations on carbon dioxide emissions. In Germany, an electric Renault Zoe can be leased for 139 euros a month, or $164.

Electric vehicles are not yet as popular in the United States, largely because government incentives are less generous. Battery-powered cars account for about 2 percent of new car sales in America, while in Europe the market share is approaching 5 percent. Including hybrids, the share rises to nearly 9 percent in Europe, according to Matthias Schmidt, an independent analyst in Berlin.'

Imagine no more coolant issues, no more oil or other fluid changes, and no more trips to the gas station!

Here in NJ there is no sales tax on electric vehicles
I've already test driven a few Tesla's and was quite impressed.
The Model S is on my bucket list.
I would have to guess by the end of this decade and maybe sooner the internal combustion engine vehicles market value will decline rapidly?
Don't spend too much!

 

I checked autozone and they quoted me $250 for the rental, I asked if it was the rental or to buy and he said to rent it, the other autozone said they don't rent.
I found a good mechanic that specializes in japanese cars.

 

Are these Z1 hoses worth it? They are almost $100 for 4 hoses. I read that is suggested to change them over 4 years for the rubber and silicone last forever

 

I towed my car to a mechanic that specializes in japanese cars. They say I need to replace the radiator, two hoses and a bracket, seems I also need rear brake pads, good thing I had bought before some akebono, they gave me a total parts and labor $1200. I have a feeling they are overcharging me.

 

Seems a bit high but I'm not to well ​versed in car shop prices because I do my own work. Might want to call around for the best price
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If you are going to proceed with the repair you might as well replace the thermostat, water pump, and radiator cap.
Good luck