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Rocket1009
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| Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 3:19pm | IP Logged
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Hi!
Love the forums. I've read all I could about overheating
but...nothing helps my out of control problem:
My 2006 (4 banger) Frontier overheats very quickly and
over the past 4 months I have done everything I can to
fix this ..but still it rapidly overheats when speeds
reach 35 MPH. Upon slowing down it stays really hot but
does not reach the critical levels of overheating. I can
stop the truck, wait 2 minutes and heat levels return to
normal but as soon as I restart, bring the speed up to
35ish..it rapidly overheats.
I've replaced:
- the head gasket
- the thermostat
- the radiator
- timing belts
- fan clutch
- radiator caps
The heater works but will rapidly overheat the engine, so
I never use it. The same with the A/C.
AIR: I thought it was air in the cooling system, so I
bleed the system of air everyday and replace the missing
coolant - but air still seems to be a daily problem.
Coolant mysteriously disapears, there are no puddles of
coolant after driving, but I have to keep adding anti-
freeze and bleeding the system - again this is an
everyday occurance.
I've brought the truck to a couple of mechanics and they
just want to keep replacing items like the thermostat and
radiator. But after I tell them this had already been
done they are dumb-founded to what the problem could be.
ANY HELP or advice would be MUCH MUCH appreciated!
Thanks
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Rocket1009
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| Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 4:08pm | IP Logged
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UPDATE: just returned home from one of these overheating
episodes. FOUND the overfill tank completely full and over
flowing and NO coolant in the radiator.
Thank you so much
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Stokersrule
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| Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 5:21pm | IP Logged
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Any idea on the status of your water pump?
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Rocket1009
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| Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 5:49pm | IP Logged
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thanks for the question!
...not sure about the water pump.
when the truck is cold and i open the radiator cap I can
see water being "pumped" into the radiator through that
tiny hose that comes from the overfill tank.
i assumed the pump was operating as advertised. maybe not?
how could i check the water pump for proper operation?
thanks again for any help.
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Boomer
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| Posted: Jan 15 2011 at 10:57am | IP Logged
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1. Using the heater should help COOL the engine as it is pulling heat from the coolant. This makes no sense that using your heater makes the engine overheat.
2. The fact that you have air all the time in the cooling system and you have replaced the head gasket suggests a cracked block or head. I had a 350 Chevy block crack on me many years ago and it displayed most of your symptoms.
3. Does the oil on the dipstick look milky or clean? If the blochk or head cracked in such a way that the coolant is just going into the combustion chamber, it will not get into the oil, it will go out the tailpipe and air(combustion gases) will appear in the coolant. Pull the four spark plugs and look at them. If your oil is milky looking, then at least some of the coolant is finding its way there.
4. I am making the assumption that you put the head gasket on correctly. A leaking head gasket will do the same thing you are seein as well.
__________________
2007 Nissan Frontier SE 4X4
Crew Cab, short bed,
2003 Saturn L-300 sedan
2013 VW Passat TDI
State College, PA
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Rocket1009
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| Posted: Jan 15 2011 at 11:49am | IP Logged
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Boomer,
Thanks for the insight. I really really appreciate any
help.
1. true. once the heater is on and i am traveling over
35 MPH = instant overheating.
2. I had the head inspected, while replacing the head
gasket a couple of months ago. all is well with the
head. although the guy who replaced the gasket wasn't
the best of mechanics. (self admitted) omg, the block?!
how can i check that?
3. just took at look at the oil; dark brown to dark
purple/black. typical oil color. No water from the tail
pipe.
(I am going to pull the thermostat today - just to look
at it. I was told the hole on the flange could be
enlarged which will assist in cooling.)
RECAP:
a. overheating, rapidly gets hot at speeds over 35 MPH.
then is undrivable.
b. replaced all major components (thermostat, head
gasket, radiator, fan clutch)
c. water pump seems to be working (no leaks) - how could
I test this?
d. air and loss of coolant still is a major problem
contributing to rapid overheating. I am burping the
system and adding more coolant just to go to Circle K for
a six a beer, es loco.
ANY HELP, please!?
thanks :)
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frontierguy
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| Posted: Jan 15 2011 at 3:38pm | IP Logged
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I think Boomer hit the nail on the head with his
assessment. Although, the water pump is still in
question?????? That engine has a timing CHAIN, not a belt!!
__________________
'10 Altima SL
Traded 08 Frontier for 16 Frontier SV CC Long box, quite an upgrade. I do miss the 6 speed and Dynomax ex.
Nissan Technician 25 + years
2011 John Deere X720SE
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Rocket1009
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| Posted: Jan 15 2011 at 5:06pm | IP Logged
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Frontier and Boomer...you guys are right on. but the
problem still exists....
Today:
- checked the head gasket thoroughly. no leaks. no
water or white smoke from the tail pipe. no sluggish acceleration. every checks out fine.
- changed the thermostat - tested - good to go.
- bled the air, took a test drive for 5 minutes:
OVERHEATING!
Problems I am noticing when it is overheating:
- top outlet hose to radiator is HOT with alot pressure.
- bottom inlet hose to thermostat is literally COLD.
- circulation problem in the radiator?
- excessive HOT water is building up in the overfill tank
the only thing to check is the water pump (i really don't
know how to check this...) should I have it replaced
anyway?
ha ha, i dont even know where the damn water pump is!
THANK YOU THANK YOU! you guys are my only resource. :)
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frontierguy
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| Posted: Jan 15 2011 at 7:38pm | IP Logged
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With the engine hot, pull the plugs out and check for
coolant entering the cylinders. keep checking as the engine
cools down. How are you checking the head gasket???? The
way the pressure is building up, like Boomer says, it
sounds like compression is going into the coolant system
due to faulty headgasket or faulty installation, crack in
head and/or block.
The water pump is located on the front of the engine,
drivers side.
__________________
'10 Altima SL
Traded 08 Frontier for 16 Frontier SV CC Long box, quite an upgrade. I do miss the 6 speed and Dynomax ex.
Nissan Technician 25 + years
2011 John Deere X720SE
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Boomer
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| Posted: Jan 15 2011 at 8:31pm | IP Logged
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But it could possibly be a blocked radiator. With the cap off (DO IT COLD), look down into the radiator. Is it filled with mineral deposits? If water from the upper hose is hot but can't flow through the radiator efficiently, this could be a source of the overheating. But I don't know that it explains the "air" in the cooling system or the loss of coolant. If there are no visible coolant leaks on the outside of the engine, then it is going into the combustion system.
Have you thoroughly checked the bottom and sides of the radiator and the sides of the block for external leaks? Do it in the dark and use a UV light if you can get your hands on one. Is there coolant running back the frame and blowing away?
__________________
2007 Nissan Frontier SE 4X4
Crew Cab, short bed,
2003 Saturn L-300 sedan
2013 VW Passat TDI
State College, PA
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Nissan Frontier Forums : Problems / Technical
Topic: HOT Frontier. Overheating Problem
