Any guesses why it left me stranded?

BrianInSoCal

2014 garage queen. Only 42k miles. Never tracked. Driven pretty conservatively. Oil changed every 5k. Stock.

On freeway going with flow of traffic and heard loud pop, then a bunch of light gray smoke from tail. Engine died and coasted to the shoulder. She wouldn't even crank.

After being towed I looked under hood. No visible signs of damage. I checked the oil. Level looked a little high and possibly a little lighter in color. I'm hoping I'm not seeing water in there. If so, it wasn't real obvious and level might have been high because it was parked on an incline

Any guesses? It's at the shop now so I'll probably find out tomorrow.

Thanks in advance

NecioVato

To be honest - no idea since it sounds like you kept up with all the maintenance - but do us a favor and let us know what the shop said about it - that seems really weird. I'm sure other more experienced Z owners will be able to chime in with some of their thoughts.

abm89

were there any fluids leaking from underneath the car?

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BrianInSoCal

No fluids leaking. I did seem to notice what sounded like a light rumble or vibration about the time of the pop and smoke. The sound seemed to be right in front of me (on the driver's side under the hood).

abm89

The only time I've heard some's Z go pop and seen billows of smoke turned out to be a busted A/C compressor. He was supercharged though so idk. Seems unlikely given your car's history. Good luck with your findings

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Spooler

I am not sure what happened to it but it doesn't sound good.

Rusty

The the pop followed by the light gray smoke is what worries me.

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Fuzzzy

Please do let us know what the shop says. Your Z describes mine to a T but with a few more miles.

I don't have a good feeling about your issue, but best of luck!

BrianInSoCal

Thanks guys. Hoping to hear something from the shop by end of day. Will keep you posted.

victorofhavoc

Gray or white smoke? My friends g37 has blown off its coolant hose a couple of times.

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Rusty

When you tried to restart. Did the motor turn over, tried to turn over, or it just locked up?

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BrianInSoCal

When tried to start, it never got to even trying to turnover - sounded locked up. There was current going to the starter.

I'm really thinking the engine is seized and i can't image why. This thing has never even been red-lined. Never ran hot. Oil level was normal. No symptoms at all. Hasn't been driven in the rain in years, so don't see how there could be water intrusion from outside.

Still waiting to hear the news from the shop.

victorofhavoc

What is the longest you typically let it sit without driving?

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Had a 2010 WRX- boy was it quick in a straight line, got a 2014 Z- man is she grippy in the corners-- then left the Z and later got a GTI, now back in an 09 racecar Z!

cv129

A slow coolant leak, eventually passed tipping point, overheated and melted pistons?

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Rusty

Nah. Overheat would seize a piston. Once it cooled down, it might crank over. It wouldn't melt a piston.

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