So yesterday I noticed the temperature gauge up around the 3/4 H mark. Went home and popped the hood. Checked and there was coolant in the tank. However I heard a hissing noise almost like bubbling coming from the area it seemed to be coming from the coolant tank itself. I didn't see anything coming out or a small leak from any hoses.

Let is sit overnight. Then this morning I come out and the tank is completely empty and the radiator is also empty of coolant.

I fill the radiator and then fill the coolant tank. I didn't try a bleed maybe I should have. So then I go and take it out for a drive. After a while it starts to get hot again and I take it home.

I notice that the coolant tank now full beyond the max level and some coolant is coming out through that excess hose.

Did I pour too much coolant in the radiator or do you think that there's air in the system? Or is the coolant boiling and coming back through the tank?

I'm not sure what to do I don't see a leak anywhere and wonder if this is somehow tied in to recently replacing timing belt/ water pump and fixing an oil leak.

Any thoughts?

 

Let me give you some dissapointing news buddy my car was doing that same exact thing for the past 2 years... its most likly not ur thermostat or any sensors, you rprobibly on the verge of loosing your water pump... Is your fluid chunky? maybe orange? any who after i changed my water pump the head gasket went out on me so that might be your problem also and if not now then it will be especially if you keep chancing it and driving it while its getting hot on you..... now that i read further i seee you apready swapped timing belt and water pump, any smoke out of the tail pipe? any loss of power or shuddering? im afraid your head gasket might be leaking but not to the point of breaking yet... also check your anti freeze, you might notice liek i did when i dumped mine right down my drive way i saw a oil slick in the antifreeze so that gave me a hint that the gasket was going out on me,,... best of luck to you...

 

other things that comes to mind
fans not coming on,
rad cap is bad.

edit: no, you didn't overfill the rad.

 

Its impossible to "overfill" the rad.

If the expansion tank overflows itself you have a serious issue:

Basics first and the simplest route to go:

1. Is the actual belt present and turning the water-pump?
2. Replace the rad-cap.
3. Pull the plug off the ECT sensor - the fans should run full speed immediately

Then:

When the car is overheating are the fans running at all? If they are, I would suggest get to a coolant shop and have them test your cooling system for a blown head gasket.

Once tested and no blown gasket is detected you get to replace the water-pump and thermostat - irrespective of when it was done the last time.

 

Pressure check your coolant systems for leaks and check that the fans are good and that the water temperture sensor is serviceable and working correctly......

 

Check your radiator cap first. I once bought one from autozone and grabbed some spares from the junkyard. The one from autozone always gave me problems, recently I changed my lower radiator hose clamp and switched caps back to the one I got from autozone, which is only about 9 lbs of pressure, and I believe its made by stant. I fill up my coolant tank with antifreeze, and turn the car off. My heater core is not operational at this point so I really didnt have to bleed it. I get down the road to go to work, and about 5 miles later the temp guage starts to go past the middle, so I immediately pulled over and shut the car off. The coolant tank is still full of antifreeze, so Im wondering why is it running hot and not sucking in the coolant from the tank? SO I attempt to remove the radiator cap( autozone stant brand) with a rag very slowly. I was under the impression that it had a pressure relief valve of somthing. When I though everything was calm, soon as I removed the cap! WHOOOSHHH A stream of coolant flew into the air above my head dousing my whole engine compartment, as soon as I saw that stream come out, I immediately ran away from the car as far back as I could. This lasted maybe for like 30 seconds to 45 seconds. So I assumed that the cap was faulty and installed the oringinal nissan cap, and sure enough the system sucked the coolant in from the resivoir, and I filled up the resivoir until it stayed at a constant level and monitor it everyday. And the car does not run hot anymore

 

lol nicly done my man ive been there before thinking that the car was cooled off enough and the pressure had gone down but nooope, that shyt shoots out like a Geyser not cool....

 

Well, got a lot to check thanks for the advice. I know what my 4th plans are now. Will keep you updated.

 

I run the higher pressure Nismo radiator caps on my Maximas and they seem to keep things in order....

 

Well looks like the thermostat. I tried to find a write up for installing the thermostat. Could anyone show me a write up with some pics? Or got a scan of the Haynes or FSM?

 

ill tell you what assuming that this IS a vg we are talking about just look right above the pulleys on the passanger side of your motor. you will see where water hoses all come into 1 central location( that is your thermostat housing, drain your fluid un hook the hoses from housing unbolt lid to housing and walla theres a little thermostat sittin inside.

 

Yes its a VG. I read other stuff that made it seem complicated. I don't have to touch any pulleys or any belts?

This section?

 

Not there....

Here...

 

Here's where the thermostat fits.....
See the blue tape!!!!


Inside this housing!

 

Wow wish my engine looked that clean. Success I installed it yesterday. Engine has been cool since, haven't ran it very far but short distance was ok.


Although for anyone with ABS it's a PITA. Couldn't get the thermostat and housing out altogether had to take them apart and squeeze past AC compressor belt area. Then had to squeeze the parts one by one later again back in place and assemble between belts.

Gasket was the worst part. How much silicone did you guys use? Just a smudge a spread it around or just glob it on and press?

 

About a mm of silicon on both sides of the gasket having been careful to remove all traces of old gasket crap and degrease the area with brake cleaner and while consuming 2.5 beers and not turing the bolts too tight the job is complete and satisfactory.

 

Thanks for everybody's help. Especially Dennis. Who's a local org member now drives a 4th and 5th gen though.

 

well its possible that the head gasket is blown you can do a compression test.
also if its boiling over it could be the radiator is clogged with calcium build up and it cant cool correctly.

 

You seemed to have missed the fact that he replaced his thermostat and everything is OK now. But at least you gave it a try and tossed in a valid point.

 

Just out of curiosity did u ever figure out where the coolant had disappeared too the first night u let her sit and found her empty of coolant next morning? Did it just leak out the thermostat housing? I'm asking cause u might have not found the reason the coolant was lost, or did it just spew out the overflow maybe? I didn't see anything about that and didn't wan't 2 see you ffuuck up yo ride!!.

 

I just gave the '90 Maxima I had to a family that needed it. While they were dropping me off at my house I noticed that the temp was low so I'm assuming the t-stat is stuck open. Is this the same location of the thermostat for the '90 model car? If so, and I replace it with one from the stealer, will it come with a gasket or will I have to use sealant?

 

(sigh).
all that time searching, and you didn't find the "Yes"?