Got an 88 Max and love it...runs great, but runs hot. After 10-15 minutes of driving, the temp gauge goes past center and hovers close to the H. I had the water/coolant flushed, but still doing it. The top radiator hose DOES get hot, so I guess that means the thermostat is good. I did notice that both fans don't turn on the same time when it gets hot. Sometimes they are both on, sometimes just one (are they supposed to kick on at the same time?). Anyone else have this problem? Not sure if it's related, but my oil pressure gauge is past center line for the first 5 or 10 minutes of driving, then drops down pretty far after that. Any help/advice would be appreciated!!! Thanks!

 

The oil pressure will be higher until it warms up. So that's normal. I'm not a mechanic so I'll just list what Haynes lists for overheating:

1 Insufficient coolant in system
2 Water pump drivebelt defective or out of adjustment
3 Radiator core blocked or grille restricted
4 Thermostat faulty
5 Electric coolant fan blades broken or cracked
6 Radiator cap not maintaining proper pressure
7 Ignition timing incorrect

Hope this helps you somewhat

 

welcome to the org! use the search function, it is your friend

 

Most likely its your Thermostat its gone bad. Mine was like that when I got my car. Replaced the Thermostat and everything was back to normal again. So get a new one I got mine from Autozone it was the Mid temp kind. They also have low temp where it opens up sooner but the mid temp is perferred.

 

well my waterpump is screwed in my Maxima 1988, might be similar problem to yours? do you hear any sounds?

 

No, I don't think there are any strange sounds near there, but I've considered having it replaced anyway. I know the pump has a seep hole on it that, if water seeps out, then you know it's bad. How did you know/do you know yours is bad??

 

mine is totaly screwed atm, can't drive cause the waterpump isn't working at all.... it just makes this rattle sound :S

i drove it like 300meters to get it to my house but that was at 1am when it was nice and cold.... still scary to think im driveing a car with not waterpump working :S

 

You can tell when your waterpump is going out when the antifreeze is leaking out of the seep hole.