Overheating on 1991 SE
10-13-2001, 12:38 AM
#1
Cronic Maxima Driver
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 247
Overheating on 1991 SE
I have a 1991 Maxima SE with 201,900 miles on the odometer. When I'm driving in smooth flowing traffic the car is fine. If I encounter rush hour traffic and I'm at a stand still the car starts to get hot and the temperture guage rises. I usually have to cut the A/C on to get the temp of the coolant back to norm. By doing this it cuts the engine fan on. What is going on here? Is my coolant temp sensor bad? What is causing my car to act like this? Driveability dosen't suffer when it gets hot, but the coolant was boiling when I opened the hood. Which tells me that I have a problem. I have a chiltion's manual, but that's giving me a place to start looking for the problem. Please help me. Thanks in advance.
MadMax1991
MadMax1991
10-13-2001, 01:02 AM
#2
Re: Overheating on 1991 SE
What I am thinking since your coolant was boiling, you might not have enough antifreeze in the mixture. It is probably mostly water in your radiator. Which, doesn't withstand heat too well. It should be a 50% antifreeze and 50% water mixture. When was the last time you had a radiator flush or fluid change? Check it out.
Also, I have always known that running your heater will help cool your engine down when it's overheating. Running your AC and driving slow around town is the best way to heat up your engine.
Also, I have always known that running your heater will help cool your engine down when it's overheating. Running your AC and driving slow around town is the best way to heat up your engine.
10-13-2001, 01:07 AM
#3
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Re: Re: Overheating on 1991 SE
Originally posted by Aaron92SE
What I am thinking since your coolant was boiling, you might not have enough antifreeze in the mixture. It is probably mostly water in your radiator. Which, doesn't withstand heat too well. It should be a 50% antifreeze and 50% water mixture. When was the last time you had a radiator flush or fluid change? Check it out.
Also, I have always known that running your heater will help cool your engine down when it's overheating. Running your AC and driving slow around town is the best way to heat up your engine.
What I am thinking since your coolant was boiling, you might not have enough antifreeze in the mixture. It is probably mostly water in your radiator. Which, doesn't withstand heat too well. It should be a 50% antifreeze and 50% water mixture. When was the last time you had a radiator flush or fluid change? Check it out.
Also, I have always known that running your heater will help cool your engine down when it's overheating. Running your AC and driving slow around town is the best way to heat up your engine.
10-13-2001, 01:07 AM
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,807
Here are 3 things to check. 1st is the coolant level and condition, next check if both radiator fans are turning. You might have a thermostat that is partially stuck closed. They run about $5-8 depending on where you buy them from. Also do a cooling system flush and replace both upper and lower radiator hoses. That way you can get alot of stuff done at the sametime plus save labor charge (if you don't DIY).
10-13-2001, 01:09 AM
#5
Re: Re: Re: Overheating on 1991 SE
Originally posted by Madmax1991
About 1 1/2 years ago I had the fluid flushed by nissan. I can't turn the heat on just yet because it's been a little warm here in DC the last couple of days. but when I turned on the AC the engine cooled right off
About 1 1/2 years ago I had the fluid flushed by nissan. I can't turn the heat on just yet because it's been a little warm here in DC the last couple of days. but when I turned on the AC the engine cooled right off
10-13-2001, 01:11 AM
#6
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Originally posted by Nismo87SE
Here are 3 things to check. 1st is the coolant level and condition, next check if both radiator fans are turning. You might have a thermostat that is partially stuck closed. They run about $5-8 depending on where you buy them from. Also do a cooling system flush and replace both upper and lower radiator hoses. That way you can get alot of stuff done at the sametime plus save labor charge (if you don't DIY).
Here are 3 things to check. 1st is the coolant level and condition, next check if both radiator fans are turning. You might have a thermostat that is partially stuck closed. They run about $5-8 depending on where you buy them from. Also do a cooling system flush and replace both upper and lower radiator hoses. That way you can get alot of stuff done at the sametime plus save labor charge (if you don't DIY).
10-13-2001, 01:12 AM
#7
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Overheating on 1991 SE
Originally posted by Aaron92SE
Well then, I'm not too sure on your problem then. But, I would still get your antifreeze mixture level looked at. Or just go ahead and do a drain and fill yourself.
Well then, I'm not too sure on your problem then. But, I would still get your antifreeze mixture level looked at. Or just go ahead and do a drain and fill yourself.
10-13-2001, 01:14 AM
#8
Cooling Fan
Yeah, I agree with Nismo. I forgot that a while back one of my cooling fans stopped working. During city driving, my engine got a little on the hot side. It turned out that the previous owner just unplugged the left fan b/c the nut came off of the blade. Oh man, I saw the nut still laying at the bottom of the plastic casing and I just put it back on, plugged it back in, and now my car is cool as ever.
10-13-2001, 01:18 AM
#9
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Re: Cooling Fan
Originally posted by Aaron92SE
Yeah, I agree with Nismo. I forgot that a while back one of my cooling fans stopped working. During city driving, my engine got a little on the hot side. It turned out that the previous owner just unplugged the left fan b/c the nut came off of the blade. Oh man, I saw the nut still laying at the bottom of the plastic casing and I just put it back on, plugged it back in, and now my car is cool as ever.
Yeah, I agree with Nismo. I forgot that a while back one of my cooling fans stopped working. During city driving, my engine got a little on the hot side. It turned out that the previous owner just unplugged the left fan b/c the nut came off of the blade. Oh man, I saw the nut still laying at the bottom of the plastic casing and I just put it back on, plugged it back in, and now my car is cool as ever.
10-13-2001, 01:21 AM
#10
Re: Re: Cooling Fan
Originally posted by Madmax1991
I do know that both fans come on when the AC is on. What sensor causes the fans to come on any other time?
I do know that both fans come on when the AC is on. What sensor causes the fans to come on any other time?
10-13-2001, 01:25 AM
#11
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Re: Re: Re: Cooling Fan
Originally posted by Aaron92SE
hmmm ...good question. Not sure. On my car, I have never seen just one fan running at a time. They are both always running. I don't know if it's suppose to do that. Sorry I couldn't help any further.
hmmm ...good question. Not sure. On my car, I have never seen just one fan running at a time. They are both always running. I don't know if it's suppose to do that. Sorry I couldn't help any further.
I'll check those things in the morning
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