Hey guys, I have an issue I hope you guys can help with. The car in question is a 96 Infiniti i30t.

On my way home from work today, suddenly the card started bucking a bit and wouldn't go faster than about 30. Felt like there was no power and engine wouldn't rev past about 3,000 RPM. Anyway the check engine light was already on for another issue so I don't know if it was triggered today also. I noticed the temp gauge was showing hot (too the top line) so I immediately pulled over and cut the car off. I checked and my coolant reservoir was completely empty! I happen to have some more in the trunk so I fill it up and gave it a few minutes to cool off.

After starting the car almost immediately ran hot but the loss of power and bucking was gone. I babied it to a gas station about a block away (the temp was below the line below the H, so "within range") and bought another bottle of coolant. I fed the entire bottle (almost) to my radiator and reservoir. Waited a few more minutes and started the car. I drove it home (about 5 blocks further) and the temp stayed within the allowed range of the gauge but it was still above what the car is at normally. This car has always warmed up to the exact same spot on the gauge no matter the weather outside. Now, it gets hotter than the normal temp but stays within the safe range.

After I drove the car home I test drove it around the parking lot for a while. The temp stayed within safe range but still above where it normally sits. Anyway, when I parked in my typical spot I noticed a puddle of coolant. I can't see a leak from under the hood but I can clearly see it under the car. I don't know where it's coming from so I took a video on my phone. This leak only happens when the car is running. Any ideas on where this leak is coming from? And if there is permanent damage to the car from the overheating issue?

This video is taken facing the front of the car on the passenger side. By the front-right wheel.

http://youtu.be/L2nuNpZOB54

 

Same thing happened to me. Its your water pump and the two O-rings on the water pump have gone bad and can no longer separate the coolant from the water pumps weep hole that on the top of the pump which is where the coolant is leaking from. I replaced my water pump with an oem Nissan pump for 100.00 from a mechanic. Your going to have to replace the pump. Although your pump might be still good, because mine was still good just the orings had become hard and brittle. You can get the orings for 5 bucks each at the dealer but might was well replace the pump so you don't have to deal with it again.

 

yep it's the water pump, it's a PITA to replace

 

Not really... people make it sound like the end of the world. The hardest part was to be careful not to drop anything in the case. Depends on your ability to work on stuff... For one person it's simple and for another it's rocket science. Just saying don't get scared before you even think about doing it.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm going to talk to my mechanic about doing it for me, I really don't have the tools or the skill to do it myself. I was originally going to take the car in this coming Friday for a motor mount job. I was going to get the front and rear mounts replaced and then replace my air intake since it's cracked.

Do you guys think any of the labor for the motor mounts should also apply with the process for changing the water pump? I'd like to save on labor which is obviously the most expensive part.

Again guys thanks for the quick and accurate response.