overheating problem (yes, another one) - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

four · 03-02-2003, 09:06 PM

I put some coolant in my reserve tank because it was low. There was a little crack on the top of the tank (way past the MAX line) Therefore, I was thinking maybe it got low because of the crack (maybe when i go down hills, it spills, or evaporation??) So I re-fill it to the MAX line.

The car was still hot. So when I got home, I checked it out. When I opened the hood, all the fluid somehow became filled over the MAX line in the reserve tank. However, when I filled it up, I made filled it a little under the MAX line (about 1/2 inch under the line). So now, I'm wondering how the hell did I end up with more engine coolant than I filled up with. Is this really really bad? Is this gona cost me a lotta money?

Oh yeah, one more thing, I opened the radiatior cap, and it gushed out a whole lotta coolant and started smoking. Then a few hours later, I go back and check on it, I see that the coolant is back to the MIN line. MIN not MAX meaning its back to where it was before I filled it up. So basically, coolant was low; Filled it 1/2 inch under MAX, then I drove the car for a while, stoped, coolant was TOO HIGH, then I checked on it a few hours later, coolant was LOW again!!!

Anyone know whats going on?

kandyflip445 · 03-02-2003, 09:13 PM

Check your radiator cap...thermostat...and make sure the coolant system is bled of air well.

four · 03-03-2003, 10:47 AM

anyone else have any input?

kalieaire · 03-04-2003, 09:42 PM

it depends, did you do what he asked first?

*crioten* · 03-05-2003, 07:05 AM

i just had to replace my radiator...a few things could be wrong, check and see if the big fan in front of you engine is spinning, if its not, then you probably need a new water pump. drive the car around until it starts to overheat, then look at your radiator and see if there are any holes or places it is leaking out. wipe off any build up that might be around the radiator cap to see if it is leaking around there(mine was). jack your car up and see if you dont have a hose that isnt connected properly.

if you do have a hole in your rad, then whats happening is that the lower pressure inside the radiator is causing the coolant to boil, causing the rise and fall of the coolant level in your res. tank.

if the rad is bad, search on the net to find a good deal on one, i got a new one for $131 and free shipping, from a volvo dealer in minnesota or something...=)

if it is a small hole, drain your radiator and use jb weld, it didnt work on mine, but its still worth a shot, and let it set for about 30 hours before starting it up...

glen

four · 03-05-2003, 07:15 AM

I just toook a look at it yesterday. By the way, just to clarify, my car doesnt over heat all the time. Only when the coolant is somehow lost, and I didnt re-fill it right away. Right now, there are no problems. However, yesterday I took a look at it and I saw something leaking from the lower pulley. (the fan is spinning too by the way)

When a friend of mine pointed out where the water pump is, i followed where it was leaking from, and it was around where the water pump is. My guess now is either my water pump is going to go bad soon, or the sealant on the water pump needs to be re-sealed.

Either way, I'm going to replace the water pump because I think I'm due to do it anyway. I ordered the pump from Courtesy Nissan for about 75.00 shipped. not bad in my opinnion considering my local nissan dealer is charging 111.87.

Anyone have experience replacing their water pump? Is it something I can do myself?

Any other ideas you guys might have? Everything is appreciated. Thanks!

syco3d · 03-05-2003, 02:14 PM

$75 for a water pump? ...I got mine for $35 at O'Riellys

There should be to lil port holes on top and below the crank coming outa the pump. Their purpose being to start leaking coolant when the pump starts going out. So check either of those and see if there's anything leakage and/or residue. I just replaced my pump about a month ago because I was leaking coolant but I couldn't figure out why. I checked the top port but didn't see anything (I didn't know this pump had two at the time) but since the pump was only $35 I decided to change it. Well after I got it off I noticed that it was leaking outa the port after all, except it was the bottom port that I hadn't previously noticed. Anyways...hope the new pump solves your problems as it did mine.

four · 03-05-2003, 04:05 PM

u got an OEM pump for 35? Thats really really really really cheap?

If not, maybe thats why mine is $75.00

four · 03-05-2003, 04:21 PM

Also, how long did it take for u to install. Was it relativly easy/straight foward?

misnomer · 03-05-2003, 08:21 PM

Remove the fan shroud, remove the fan, losen the pulley on the power steering unit and remove the belt. Remove the six or so bolts around the pump, take off the pump, clean the surfaces, lay down some RTV on the new pump, put it on, reverse all prior steps and let the car sit for a day.

Any questions?

03-02-2003, 09:06 PM	#1
four Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Northern New Jersey Age: 41 Posts: 673 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	overheating problem (yes, another one) I put some coolant in my reserve tank because it was low. There was a little crack on the top of the tank (way past the MAX line) Therefore, I was thinking maybe it got low because of the crack (maybe when i go down hills, it spills, or evaporation??) So I re-fill it to the MAX line. The car was still hot. So when I got home, I checked it out. When I opened the hood, all the fluid somehow became filled over the MAX line in the reserve tank. However, when I filled it up, I made filled it a little under the MAX line (about 1/2 inch under the line). So now, I'm wondering how the hell did I end up with more engine coolant than I filled up with. Is this really really bad? Is this gona cost me a lotta money? Oh yeah, one more thing, I opened the radiatior cap, and it gushed out a whole lotta coolant and started smoking. Then a few hours later, I go back and check on it, I see that the coolant is back to the MIN line. MIN not MAX meaning its back to where it was before I filled it up. So basically, coolant was low; Filled it 1/2 inch under MAX, then I drove the car for a while, stoped, coolant was TOO HIGH, then I checked on it a few hours later, coolant was LOW again!!! Anyone know whats going on?

03-04-2003, 09:42 PM	#4
kalieaire Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Milpitas, CA - SFBA Posts: 222 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	it depends, did you do what he asked first? __________________ - -- - '93 240sx coupe '93 taurus wagon -kalieaire (maybe grinder too on special occasions)

03-05-2003, 02:14 PM	#7
syco3d Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Topeka, Ks Age: 41 Posts: 363 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	$75 for a water pump? ...I got mine for $35 at O'Riellys There should be to lil port holes on top and below the crank coming outa the pump. Their purpose being to start leaking coolant when the pump starts going out. So check either of those and see if there's anything leakage and/or residue. I just replaced my pump about a month ago because I was leaking coolant but I couldn't figure out why. I checked the top port but didn't see anything (I didn't know this pump had two at the time) but since the pump was only $35 I decided to change it. Well after I got it off I noticed that it was leaking outa the port after all, except it was the bottom port that I hadn't previously noticed. Anyways...hope the new pump solves your problems as it did mine. __________________ Gimme a "A"! Gimme a "P"! Gimme a "C"! What does that spell? CRAP!

03-05-2003, 08:21 PM	#10
misnomer Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 2,293 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Remove the fan shroud, remove the fan, losen the pulley on the power steering unit and remove the belt. Remove the six or so bolts around the pump, take off the pump, clean the surfaces, lay down some RTV on the new pump, put it on, reverse all prior steps and let the car sit for a day. Any questions? __________________ Rowsdower saves us and saves all the world!

03-02-2003, 09:13 PM	#2
kandyflip445 Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Arden, NC Age: 40 Posts: 4,460 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: kandyflip445 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Check your radiator cap...thermostat...and make sure the coolant system is bled of air well.

03-03-2003, 10:47 AM	#3
four Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Northern New Jersey Age: 41 Posts: 673 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	anyone else have any input?

03-05-2003, 07:15 AM	#6
four Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Northern New Jersey Age: 41 Posts: 673 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I just toook a look at it yesterday. By the way, just to clarify, my car doesnt over heat all the time. Only when the coolant is somehow lost, and I didnt re-fill it right away. Right now, there are no problems. However, yesterday I took a look at it and I saw something leaking from the lower pulley. (the fan is spinning too by the way) When a friend of mine pointed out where the water pump is, i followed where it was leaking from, and it was around where the water pump is. My guess now is either my water pump is going to go bad soon, or the sealant on the water pump needs to be re-sealed. Either way, I'm going to replace the water pump because I think I'm due to do it anyway. I ordered the pump from Courtesy Nissan for about 75.00 shipped. not bad in my opinnion considering my local nissan dealer is charging 111.87. Anyone have experience replacing their water pump? Is it something I can do myself? Any other ideas you guys might have? Everything is appreciated. Thanks!

03-05-2003, 04:05 PM	#8
four Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Northern New Jersey Age: 41 Posts: 673 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	u got an OEM pump for 35? Thats really really really really cheap? If not, maybe thats why mine is $75.00

03-05-2003, 04:21 PM	#9
four Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Northern New Jersey Age: 41 Posts: 673 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Also, how long did it take for u to install. Was it relativly easy/straight foward?