D I R T Y I 3 0

I tried searching the forums but it did me no avail: My car's oil temperature skyrockets past H in city driving but sits in the middle, like normal, when on the highway. Apparently the car still runs fine when the needle reads that the oil temp. is past "H." I was thinking faulty sensor? Has never acted like this before. The other time needle went past "H" was when I ran out of coolant and the engine shut off.

Haven't done an oil change in 8K miles, probably won't help will it.

My brother drives the car since I am at school and wants to know if he drives it, in its current state, whether he will damage the engine or not. Told him to check for leaks. Any input would be greatly appreciated

Infi30t

Unfortunately, that is not your oil temperature gauge that you are seeing, unless you have an oil temp gauge that you added separately. That is your engine temp and if it is running high in the city, then it is not safe to drive. You could end up doing major damage if you keep running it like that. You could have a stuck thermostat, a crack somewhere that you can't see, etc. Definitely look into that and don't drive it as it is.

D I R T Y I 3 0

...I knew that

So how do I check for a stuck thermostat? Oh yes, when I floor it the temperature immediately drops from high to middle-normal temperature

Infi30t

Now that you say that, I have a feeling it is the coolant temp sensor since it is fluctuating so quickly. Have it tested or if it is cheap just go ahead and replace it. If you had a stuck thermostat, it would stay HOT regardless of throttle input because there is no coolant getting to the motor to cool it down.

D I R T Y I 3 0

I was thinking about it being a stuck thermostat, but doesn't sound like it. I'll look into the coolant temp sensor then. Plus, the reservoir is full so it makes no sense (to me at least) that it's overheating and that no coolant is getting to the engine

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

You might have air in the cooling system as well. Look around on this site for the "burping" procedure; it basically involves running the engine for a bit with the rad cap open.

memphisballer

iTrader: (7)

Did you check the radiator itself for fluid level? Reservoir may be full due to radiator not drawing in the fluid as it should when its low.Also in MOST cases but not all cases the t-stat gets stuck in the open position not letting the engine get warm enough.

D I R T Y I 3 0

I'll be back on this in a week (when I get home) hopefully with some success to report back with or other questions

D I R T Y I 3 0

Alright so my father filled up the radiator with fluid, and it still reads that the car is overheating. We're thinking it's a stuck thermostat, so he bought another one and will install it this weekend. Hopefully that'll do, was also thinking it could be a finished water pump which would be...

Infi30t

Well hopefully that's all it is. Good luck and report back.

Polar

It could also be that your electric radiator fan is not working. That would make it hot while stopped and cool when driving fast. Open the hood. Start your car. Watch the temp gauge, when it is in the middle (normal temp) you should feel the flow start going through your radiator and the upper hose should get hot. If the hose doesn't get hot, your thermostat is stuck closed. If it does get hot you fan should come on in a few minutes. If it doesn't your fan/ relay/ temp sensor is bad. Don't let the engine overheat while doing this.

D I R T Y I 3 0

I replaced the thermostat and that did it; car is running fine. Thanks for all the advice guys!

Infi30t

No problem glad that's all it was.

D I R T Y I 3 0

Alright...well the car runs fine to me but the needle still fluctuates going towards high but settling towards middle temperature once I get going from a still. I know it gets heat soak when just sitting and idling, but from the time I've had this car the temp gauge has always stayed in the middle.

Thoughts? I'm thinking water pump

iDuty

Before you get into a bigger job like the water pump:

Have you checked that the radiator fans work, as Polar suggested?

Have you double-checked that there is no air in the cooling system, as CRiME suggested?

D I R T Y I 3 0

I checked the cooling system for air -checked out
radiator fans I have heard them come on, just haven't bothered to look at em in action

iDuty

Good.

I think it is worth investigating when the radiator fans start running, and if the temperature needle continues to rise while the fans run. This could give you a hint about whether the two temperature sensors disagree (dash vs engine control) or if the cooling is simply inadequate.

D I R T Y I 3 0

Alright well I've tried all the previous listed and the car is STILL overheating. I need some other suggestions ASAP, as running one car down for my family is of great inconvenience.

I got the thermostat from Autozone, could the fact that it is not "Nissan OEM spec" be the reason why car still acts as it does?

D I R T Y I 3 0

Checked the radiator fan again, I believe it is broken. Did not operate while I was observing it for 10 minutes nor did I hear it come on. So...does anyone know how hard of a fix this is? I hope there is no wiring involved -crosses fingers-

tigersharkdude

iTrader: (20)

just replace the fans, its utterly simple like 2 or 4 bolts and 1 or 2 electrical plugs.

D I R T Y I 3 0

Alright...wth. I'm pretty annoyed now. I went to start the car, took three tries hard starting (Bad knock sensor). Then after 10 minutes of driving the temp reads that it is overheating. I pull over pop the hood and wa-laa the fans decide to work now. Coolant Reservoir is topped off and I know the radiator is free of air pockets. I also touch the intake mani which is cold to the touch

Now I remember that for one week after I installed the new thermostat the car was running dandy, then it started overheating again. Faulty Thermostat I say?? Got it from Advance Auto Parts...smh I'm going to run the car and touch the hose and see if it gets hot. That should confirm if that's the case or not

I need this thing up and running before my header install. Car should run better too once my knock sensor comes in. Runs real rough right now, struggles to start

D I R T Y I 3 0

I had a feeling...bad water pump :'(

This time I don't have the tools or time for the job. I have to cough up 610 for this PITA job.

I hope this is the end of it, I just have to tackle my knock sensor and it's good as new. Once again, thanks to everyone for their input.