wildstar1063

Hi,
I'm new here this is my first post.

I recently purchased a 2006 Manual Base 350z with only 44,800 miles.
I had been driving it for about a week with no issues, but last Thursday
on the way home from work it started to get hot, by the time I got it home
it was starting to get to above 3/4 on the temp gauge and my OBD2 HUD
was showing about 235F.

I have checked the oil and no white froth or white butter and no white vapor at the tailpipe unless it is cold out.

I did however find that the thermostat was stuck shut, which is strange, usually they stick open. I have replaced the thermostat with one from Autozone which I did test in hot water to see if it would open. however the thing is still overheating with the new thermostat.

I had intended to replace the radiator with an aluminum one later, as I do not
trust the ones with plastic tops and bottoms due to several experiences with them cracking, so I went ahead and installed a Mishimoto radiator and new hoses and it is again still overheating.

I have read all the advise on burping the cooling system and have done so and recently I purchased one of those vacuum Airlift fillers and used it, and still my car is overheating.

I am beginning to think the issue is the water pump. Normally if a car overheats you can take it on the highway and it will cool down from the air
blowing through the radiator, but his one just gets hotter which would lead me to believe there is a circulation issue.

BTW, the fans appear to be working

Does anyone out there have any opinions or advised on this please?

Thanks

Chuck E.

zakmartin

Hi Chuck -

1. Stick with OEM on parts like thermostats & sensors. I've yet to find an aftermarket part that agrees with the car as well as an OEM part does.

2. Water pump is a possibility. It's kind of a pain to get to and you'll probably want to replace the chain tensioner while you're at it. Check for leaks before you commit to replacing it. UV dye is a good way to check your cooling system.

3. When you used your airlift tool, how well did the system hold a vacuum?

4. Are you getting hot air out of the blower when you have the heat turned up full?

5. When you replaced your coolant, did you use the factory stuff or an aftermarket brand? What coolant/water ratio did you use?

6. Is your radiator fan assembly engaging when the engine gets hot?

wildstar1063

3. When you used your airlift tool, how well did the system hold a vacuum?

Held right where it stopped in the green for about 1 minute or so before we started filling it

4. Are you getting hot air out of the blower when you have the heat turned up full?

Yes, currently getting hot air

5. When you replaced your coolant, did you use the factory stuff or an aftermarket brand? What coolant/water ratio did you use?

Just regular Prestone green at 50/50

6. Is your radiator fan assembly engaging when the engine gets hot?

The fans appeared to be working. Last night after installing the radiator and hoses they were on high when I got in the driveway. they also run On both speeds during the IPDM test

I would love to use factory stuff, but the Nissan stealership is on the north side of town and I am on the south. Autozone is close and I can drive the car there without it getting too hot.

Chuck E.

zakmartin

Well, since it's relatively easy and not too expensive and you had a bad one to begin with, I'd start by replacing your new aftermarket thermostat with an OEM Nissan part. Even if you have to drive across town, it's cheap insurance that you're not changing out an entire cooling system based on a bad thermostat. The Airlift system and a 5-gallon bucket will make fast work of it.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

courtesyparts.com will be your friend

sssmasss

iTrader: (13)

my did the same thing a long long long long time ago and i thought let go with after market!!!! same issue.. i started doing a bunch of stuffs but in the end it was the thermostat!!!! get OEM and see

eZg

iTrader: (5)

Could be radiator cap??

While I'm not familiar with vacuum fillers BUT a tip that worked well for me was filling the radiator extremely slowly with coolant. Specifies rate somewhere in manual.

Good luck

wildstar1063

Ok, I just wanted to check in with a status report
I took the advise and went to Nissan today and got the
OEM thermostat and all appears to be good. we put the
thermostat in and used the airlift tool to refill the coolant.

We took it on a test drive around my house then for about a mile on the highway and it did not over heat. My Heads up display that reads the OBD2
port showed Temps after it warmed up and was being driven of 77c (170.6 F) to 80c (176 F) and twice after pulling in to a parking lot from driving it would got to 81c (177.8 F) and after idling for a short period would go right back down to about 78c (172.4 F).

We took it home and let it set for about half an hour and checked for air bubbles in the coolant and took it back out on the highway for about a 6 mile drive and the temps were as described above. On the way back we went down one of the side streets that parallels the highway and again the temps stayed as describe all the way back home. So 6 miles on the highway and another 6 back on the street and no over heat.

Thanks to everyone for the help and advise

Chuck E.

wildstar1063

Well, I drove it to work today, which is about 18 miles from home and It did not overheat at all. If I get it home tonight without overheat, I believe I will call it good.

eZg

iTrader: (5)

cool

just keep an eye on the coolant overflow tank

sssmasss

iTrader: (13)

see? always do the easy replacement first.