Could be jumping the gun here but after having my 380SX for 18 days, have picked up on a few things I'm uneasy about. Quick story first! Two days after picking up my car I noticed there was no coolant dipstick. Now I have been told by other owners that is how it is sometimes? Considering it is there for you too check your levels, I'd say it is important. Anyway service department has ordered another one. Trouble is when I did check the level in the container by using a torch, it was below the lowest level, only 1cm in there in fact. Car was cold by the way! I topped it up, but since checking again, it is back to that level? Is this normal for these vehicles, or should I be checking when hot? Another thing I have noticed is the ticking and other noise from the same firewall side of the engine along with what appears to be a slight miss in idle. Is there a connection here? How smooth are these engines usually in idle? From memory when checking other cars the ones that I did hear running were very smooth and quiet?

Too right you should be uneasy, but check the coolant in the radiator rather than the overflow bottle. Fill both up, then go for a drive to warm things up, park it in a dry spot and let it idle for a few minutes. Check for coolant dripping down under the car. Turn it off, let it cool, and check both the overflow bottle and radiator again. Seek a professional help from a radiator shop if you see drips or have lost coolant.

Its normal for these cars to raise the level in the reservoir about 1 - 3 cm when hot, and the level drops again when cool. No coolant should be used at all. Ever. Leaks can be external from the radiator or engine hoses, or internally in the engine. Only a radiator specialist with test equipment can tell, unless it is a loose hose connection that is dripping somewhere and you can find it and tighten the clamp. Use a torch and feel for wetness around all of the hoses. The last 380 I drove was smooth at all engine speeds - if yours isn't, there is something wrong. Get it identified and - hopefully - you have a warranty that covers it.

A missing coolant dipstick and empty reservoir is a dead giveaway that there is a problem - should have been picked up in a pre-purchase inspection.

Could be jumping the gun here but after having my 380SX for 18 days, have picked up on a few things I'm uneasy about. Quick story first! Two days after picking up my car I noticed there was no coolant dipstick. Now I have been told by other owners that is how it is sometimes? Considering it is there for you too check your levels, I'd say it is important. Anyway service department has ordered another one. Trouble is when I did check the level in the container by using a torch, it was below the lowest level, only 1cm in there in fact. Car was cold by the way! I topped it up, but since checking again, it is back to that level? Is this normal for these vehicles, or should I be checking when hot? Another thing I have noticed is the ticking and other noise from the same firewall side of the engine along with what appears to be a slight miss in idle. Is there a connection here? How smooth are these engines usually in idle? From memory when checking other cars the ones that I did here running were very smooth and quiet?

Check out the "380 ticking noise" thread here: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78695, in particular posts 11 & 12. It sounds like you may have a faulty Evaporative Emission Ventilation (or Purge) Solenoid.

KJ.

Just thought I'd let you know MadMax that since putting the new dipstick in, the coolant is reading full? Will have another look in the morning when it is cold!

Well looking the next day after wiping the dipstick coolant is reading low, so hopefully they will resolve this tomorrow! At their expense of course!! Irrespective of the remainder of new car warranty I have only had the car since the 10th June so it is also under 3 month Dealer statutory warranty.