Hey guys, I'm usually around the third gen forums, but i recently bought a 1998 i30.

I've been seeing the car heat up recently, mostly when it's sitting in traffic or idling while facing uphill (I live in San Francisco where all the hills are steep), and then the temp falls back down when the car starts moving again. Sometimes it heats up while moving, but cools back down again. Also, the fans are on all the time, as long as the car is running.

There's no check engine light as far as I know.

I haven't seen it blow any smoke so far, but I want a second opinion, just in case the inevitable happens. Have any of you guys seen this happen before?

 

Sounds like the engine coolant level in the radiator is getting low. Park the car on level ground and when the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap. The radiator tank should be 100% full.

If you have to add coolant, leave the radiator cap off and start the engine. If the radiator tank is empty, add just enough coolant so that the bottom is covered. Let the engine run until the thermostat opens. When the thermostat opens, fill the radiator all the way to the top.

 

Looks like the low coolant was the issue, but I replaced the radiator cap as well (for safe measure).

 

You need to ask yourself why the coolant is low.

monitor the coolant level. If it drops, something is leaking.

By the way, you will find more activity. In the 4th gen Maxima forum.

 

It could have been a slow leak from the rad cap if the rubber was cracked, I had that happen on my 3rd gen. Burp the system well with the front end lifted off the ground to make sure you get any air pockets out of it, make sure both rad hoses are getting hot, and make sure you're getting hot air from the interior vents. Head gasket failure isn't common on these cars, so cover the basics first.