Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 11:23am | IP Logged

Got a 1997 4x4 Frontier. Was driving last night when I lost power (max speed 30 mph). Then the engine quit. Got a tow home, and when I looked at it this morning, there was coolant everywhere. A line had broken (the line appears to be part of a tranny cooler. Didn't know I had one.). Would this cause power loss, or should I be looking for something else?

db

Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 1:05pm | IP Logged

..

dynamiteboy;

First welcome to the group!

... Technically the use of the name 'Frontier' started with the 1998 year model. The prevous model has been called the ’HARD BODY’.

... In the models with automatic transmissions the ATF oil is piped to and from the radiator. As the oil is lost and the level goes down the transmission ceases to drive but the engine will continue to run.

... When the coolant is lost the engine over heats and it will soon die.  Sad to say but if the engine locked up then the odds are that it will need a total rebuild.

Have a good one and CUL.. Don S..

Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 4:34pm | IP Logged

Okay, big oops. Its about 4 degrees here, and my brain froze. It's a 98, and definitely a Frontier. It's a manual 5-speed. Does the same apply to the 5 speed transmission?

Also, the engine didn't sieze. The starter will still turn it over, but it won't fire. I was wondering if maybe there is a low coolant sensor that will prevent the engine from running if the coolant is too low?

Thanks for the welcome!

db

Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 11:35pm | IP Logged

..

dynamiteboy;

... A 1998 Frontier would be a four cylinder and the manual transmission does not have a cooler that I ever head of. Besides the radiator hoses, if some line (hose) leaked coolant it should be a hose to the heater or a bypass hose.

... The engine may have stopped running and now won’t start due to coolant shorting out some of the electrical system. If it is a antifreeze mix it might not dry out by it’s self.

Have a good one,  and CUL.. Don S..