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Nissan VG30E overheating

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Home : Automotive Repair : Heating or AC Issues :

SoapDude
Novice

Mar 13, 2008, 6:39 PM

Post #1 of 21 (142 views)
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Nissan VG30E overheating Can't Post
I am having problems with my 1988 Nissan 200sx with the 3.0 liter VG30E engine.

It is overheating.

I started by checking to see if the lower radiator hose was getting pressure... None. So I changed the thermostat. Still nothing, so I assumed water pump.. Changed water pump (and timing belt.. boy was that fun!), and the lower radiator hose is still getting no pressure!

I let the car warm up (which seems to take too long), and once it does, it gets too warm and nothing to the radiator. There is no clog in the hose either. While I was changing everything, I cleaned the hose out... I'm lost. Please help! Thanks so much in advance!


JIM N
Enthusiast / Moderator


Mar 13, 2008, 7:29 PM

Post #2 of 21 (135 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Has the system been pressure tested ?
Fill the system and pressure test it to make sure there is no leaks.
Not sure on this model if there is a bleeder,but make sure there isn't an air pocket in the system.
May have to fill the system/block thru the upper hose..
If no leaks,run to operating temperature and feel the upper radiator hose,should be hot to the touch when thermostat opens.
If there are no bleeders in the system,may have to take one of the heater hoses loose and run it until coolant comes out...
<<<<Caution:>>>coolant will be hot....AT your own risk.
Also check to make sure the cooling fan is operating...will come on when engine reaches a certain temp..usually around 225/230 degrees.

Just some thoughts.

Jim
P.S....Was Water Pump leaking?? Is radiator clear...not plugged?


(This post was edited by JIM N on Mar 13, 2008, 7:33 PM)


SoapDude
Novice

Mar 13, 2008, 8:04 PM

Post #3 of 21 (132 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
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I tested and installed a new thermostat, but the coolant is never leaving the engine block. The hot coolant from the block does not circulate into the radiator. The system has not been pressure tested, but why would the hot coolant not leave the block? This is what I can't figure out. It's acting the same as it would if the thermostat was not working.. The coolant is not making it to the radiator...... It's not even making it to the lower radiator hose to fill the radiator.

The old water pump was not leaking, and it even appeared to be working fine. I changed it anyway.


JIM N
Enthusiast / Moderator


Mar 13, 2008, 8:31 PM

Post #4 of 21 (130 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
When the t-stat opens coolant comes out of the engine there and goes into the radiator at the top..thru the radiator and back in to the engine thru the lower hose....
If you want ,take the t-stat out and reinstall the housing and run the engine..see if it circulates thru.
I don't know if this a cross flow radiator or a vertical flow....but you should see it come across the radiator tubes ..
Maybe the radiator is plugged...after running the engine to operating temp..you can feel the radiator tube area section(between the tanks)...should be hot to the touch at the top and as you slide your hand down it it should stay the same ..if clogged up it may appear cool/cold in the bad area....just be careful doing this..watch your hands...at your own risk.
Some models ( I don't know on the Nissan) have a spring in the lower hose to keep it from collapsing ..

Let me know

JIm


SoapDude
Novice

Mar 13, 2008, 8:39 PM

Post #5 of 21 (128 views)
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When the t-stat opens coolant comes out of the engine there and goes into the radiator at the top..thru the radiator and back in to the engine thru the lower hose....
If you want ,take the t-stat out and reinstall the housing and run the engine..see if it circulates thru.
I don't know if this a cross flow radiator or a vertical flow....but you should see it come across the radiator tubes ..
Maybe the radiator is plugged...after running the engine to operating temp..you can feel the radiator tube area section(between the tanks)...should be hot to the touch at the top and as you slide your hand down it it should stay the same ..if clogged up it may appear cool/cold in the bad area....just be careful doing this..watch your hands...at your own risk.
Some models ( I don't know on the Nissan) have a spring in the lower hose to keep it from collapsing ..

Let me know

JIm

Ok.. I've changed the thermostat, and on this car, the hose leaves the thermostat and goes to the bottom of the radiator. This hose never fills with coolant. It never gets hot. The coolant never makes it to the radiator.


JIM N
Enthusiast / Moderator


Mar 13, 2008, 8:42 PM

Post #6 of 21 (125 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Like I stated,not familiar with the Nissan...

But can you run it without the t-stat and see what happens?.


dave284
Enthusiast


Mar 13, 2008, 9:03 PM

Post #7 of 21 (124 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Maybe a stupid question, but you did install t-stat with the spring side facing the engine?.....other then that you may have a blockage either in the radiator or the engine it self cause if it takes a while to heat up than overheats..... it could have layers of corrosion inside the block and enough to block the flow. How does the inside of radiator of what that you can see look like? it was just a thought to add JimUnsure


SoapDude
Novice

Mar 13, 2008, 9:09 PM

Post #8 of 21 (123 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Jim - I'll give it a try...



Yes the thermostat is facing the engine :) And I don't have a lot of confidence that the radiator is good and clean, but as I've stated, the coolant doesn't make it there... Now the engine block.. I don't know... The coolant I took out when I changed the water pump didn't look awfully dirty...

Now here's something interesting.. In the Chilton manual it shows the thermostat spring facing the radiator... I can't imagine that this isn't a mistake..........???

BTW thanks for the quick replies guys!
In Reply To
Maybe a stupid question, but you did install t-stat with the spring side facing the engine?.....other then that you may have a blockage either in the radiator or the engine it self cause if it takes a while to heat up than overheats..... it could have layers of corrosion inside the block and enough to block the flow. How does the inside of radiator of what that you can see look like? it was just a thought to add JimUnsure


dave284
Enthusiast


Mar 13, 2008, 9:21 PM

Post #9 of 21 (120 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
http://www.autozone.com/.../repairInfoPages.htm check this out and I have ran into manual that were wrongTongue


SoapDude
Novice

Mar 13, 2008, 9:33 PM

Post #10 of 21 (119 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Yah, before I installed the new thermostat, I did the boil test on it. ... I know for a fact that the coolant is not leaving the engine block. I also know for a fact that the water pump is turning and the thermostat is functional...

In Reply To
http://www.autozone.com/.../repairInfoPages.htm check this out and I have ran into manual that were wrongTongue


JIM N
Enthusiast / Moderator


Mar 13, 2008, 10:22 PM

Post #11 of 21 (113 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Does this help???




JIM N
Enthusiast / Moderator


Mar 13, 2008, 10:24 PM

Post #12 of 21 (112 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Looks like from that pix that the manual is right..
That pix is from the autozone site...

Keep us posted..

Jim


SoapDude
Novice

Mar 13, 2008, 10:33 PM

Post #13 of 21 (111 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
So the spring should face away from the engine just like in the picture? That's what I have in my Chilton manual...


JIM N
Enthusiast / Moderator


Mar 13, 2008, 10:37 PM

Post #14 of 21 (109 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Thats what it looks like...two different sources say the same thing...
Heck give it a try..its at least something definite to go on.


Let me know...

Jim


SoapDude
Novice

Mar 13, 2008, 10:39 PM

Post #15 of 21 (107 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Cool man, I'll be playing in the snow with this thing tomorrow and let you guys know how it goes..


JIM N
Enthusiast / Moderator


Mar 13, 2008, 10:41 PM

Post #16 of 21 (106 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Snow??
Where the heck are you at?
All of our snow finally melted ...today it got up to 58 degrees here and the sun was out...FINALLY...
SO SHHHHHHHHHHHH don't say the S word ...

I've had about enough of that stuff for one season..


SoapDude
Novice

Mar 13, 2008, 10:43 PM

Post #17 of 21 (105 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Haha I'm in northern Ohio and it hit about 53 today, but colder tomorrow and all the snow hasn't melted yet... Oops I said it again..


Tom Greenleaf
Veteran / Moderator


Mar 14, 2008, 12:50 AM

Post #18 of 21 (101 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
<<<< See what can happen?

PENALTY!!!! WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY THE WORD "SNOW" IN MARCH!!

Wow - that was quite a go around with this thing! I think what's happening is this is somehow stuck in by-pass mode with the t-stat configured the way it is, it just isn't getting the accurate engine temp to open. Anything funky going on with all the smaller hoses (by-pass) going near that thermostat? I read this too fast - sorry - but I think something is up with that type of t-stat. That bottom disc must be in place or it will just be in by--pass mode forever - is that possible?

T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
_________________________________________

http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/


dave284
Enthusiast


Mar 14, 2008, 10:45 AM

Post #19 of 21 (96 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
Well guys this has got my attentionCrazy talking about the car not the snow, btw its sunny and temp is 74 hereCool


JIM N
Enthusiast / Moderator


Mar 14, 2008, 2:34 PM

Post #20 of 21 (92 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
74.....<< Lucky B**T**D >>>>


SoapDude
Novice

Mar 19, 2008, 11:24 AM

Post #21 of 21 (77 views)
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating [In reply to] Can't Post
So the problem is fixed! I went down to the auto parts store and bought one of these things you hook up to your coolant line and a garden hose and flushed the system out. There must have been a clog somewhere because it's working fine now! Thanks to everyone for all of the advice! I'll definitely be back here next time I have a problem.




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