[Solved] Engine residue -- white and chalky
 

Solved: Coolant issue Solved. Defective radiator. See post 10. Oil-related aspect will be move to this thread.
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I noticed today after changing my oil. Can anyone ID it?

http://ompldr.org/tOGNjaw http://ompldr.org/tOGNjdQ

A few more pics:
http://ompldr.org/tOGNkYg http://ompldr.org/tOGNkYw

Edit: Full disclosure: I'm leaking coolant. Not sure where the leak is yet.

Winter driving, salt on the roads, gets splashed up into the engine compartment.
Use some simple green, hose it off, blow dry with a leaf blower then dress everything with your favorite water based tire/trim dressing.

I should have elaborated more.

When I was changing my oil after a quick (10-15min) drive, I noticed my engine seem rather hot, and it looked like the coolant reservoir was empty (though the lighting is rather poor in my garage so it was hard to tell).

I put coolant into the reservoir about halfway between the Max and Min marks, took the car out for lunch, and when I got back the coolant reservoir (with additional lighting, via a drop light, this time) appeared to be bone dry. So the coolant is going somewhere, even though there didn't seem to be any additional residue in the engine bay.


I thought I may have the same issue posted in the link below, though to not the same magnitude. Perhaps I have a leak elsewhere:
Coolant leak - Can not find the actual leak !

I filled the coolant reservoir up again to about halfway between the Max and Min marks, and cleaning the engine bay so any future spraying will be readily noticeable, but I have a hunch you're right njmaxseltd as not additional spray residue was noticed, and that I'm going to do some additional diagnosing.

its just dirty or its residue from winter salt. nothing to worry much about.
engine degreaser and high pressure washer
thats it and you let it dry bout 45 min

I had refilled the coolant reservoir up to about half-way between min and max. As of a few minutes ago, it's down to about the min line. Haven't driven anywhere. So it appears I have a slow coolant leak (but not necessarily, or even not probably, the residue pictured, considering it appears to be a slow leak).

I started cleaning everything in sight after leaning off the white residue. I've never cleaned out an engine bay before, and I got to say there's some proper gunk in there.

Edit: Hum. Just noticed this:
http://ompldr.org/tOGN2Mg

Radiator pressure leak? Turn the car on and watch that location as the car warms up.

Will do.

I also just noticed this bit.
http://ompldr.org/tOGQ0Yg

So I looked it up at nissan4u.com.
http://static.nissan4u.com/epc_img/56923670941345.png
#2 Seal ring, 2104931U01, alternate: 2104931U03, for water pump

I cleaned up the area fairly well with a rag, and added more coolant, so we'll see if it leaks again. Also put down some paper under the car to see where it's leaking.

The part that you highlighted with the red circle is the Camshaft sensor.

Thanks for pointing that out. I guess what's circled below is the waterpump.
http://ompldr.org/tOGVscw


Looks like I need a new seal for the camshaft sensor.
http://ompldr.org/tOGVtMA
#3, 2213138U00 (HITACHI), 2213138U12 (MITSUBISHI)
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I also came across a puddle after letting the car sit in the garage since the 21st (i.e. I've been to busy the past few days to take a look at it). The photos are after I somewhat dabbed the seam area circled to determine what was leaking. It appears to lack any red tint, ergo oil. I got to figure out what the seal is here (and if it's simply way beyond my newbie mechanic skill level).
http://ompldr.org/tOGVseQ http://ompldr.org/tOGVseg http://ompldr.org/tOGVseA

I've got my work cut out for me. The good news on the coolant front is that the coolant level appears to be unchanged, so it does indeed appear to be a radiator pressure leak. I'm going to go ahead and change my hoses anyway though as I plan on sticking this this car until 2018 (that's the goal anyway). I'm going to drive the car this evening, so we'll see if the coolant levels plummets again.


p.s. Is silicone hoses worth the extra cost i.e. Samco or Mishimoto or is that really just for show? I have an automatic, so it's 4 hoses to replace, not 2.
http://ompldr.org/tOGVtbA

Thread Topic Solved: Defective Radiator Confirmed
 

Defective Radiator Confirmed

After a 3 minute drive, sit in a parking lot for a while, 3 minute drive back, I saw what's in the following pics. I'm going to mark this thread as solved and move the oil-related bits to another thread.

I would greatly appreciate comments concerning if silicone coolant hoses are worth the greater expense though. :)


Thanks for all the input!

http://ompldr.org/tOGVvag http://ompldr.org/tOGVvaw http://ompldr.org/tOGVvbA

After driving around for a week with towels duct taped to the top of the rad to somewhat mitigate the spray, I finally got a replacement installed. I got my replacement rad in from importrp and highly recommend him.

For fellow newbie mechanics who may read this thread in the future, check out this thread for removing the "snorkel" air intake.
Removing air intake snorkel

Also note: Unless you are doing a complete coolant flush, You only need enough coolant to fill up the new radiator and for me that was just slighly more 4 quarts worth of 50/50. Don't make the same mistake I did and buy 9 quarts worth of 50/50.

I am having similar problems with my 95 Se. Everytime I head to work I see a puddle of coolant on the floor. I checked the hoses and they seem to be ok..no indication that they are bad. Also, the radiator looks good too.

Not sure what to do.

Do a bunch of searching on the forum here and then start your own thread. I hope you are able to figure it out. :)

Thanks. Im currently trying to find out where this leak is coming from.
Im just hoping this is a easy fix.