Kennoblack350z

Hi guy

So today my car overheated today due to the coolant cap wasnt on properly and sprayed coolant all over the engine bay. I live 20min away from work but didnt notice my car was overheating until I was nearly home. The temp needle was on max and as soon as I noticed it I pull over asap. I popped the hood and notice the coolant cap was off and the radiator was pretty much empty. I let it cool down as I walked home to get bottles of water and fill the radiator up. I ghosted the car home as I only lived about 300m away. Just wanted to know if much damage would have been caused from overheating?

My engine light has also come on. Once I got home I left it for a number of hours before starting it to see how it runs. It started fine but Im still a bit worried that some damage may have happened. Ive got it booked in to my local nissan dealer to have a look at it but just wanted to know what you guys thought. Thanks

onevq35de

If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and looks like a duck, it's a duck. If it starts, drives, no coolant in the oil, etc. then it's fine.

Spike100

Rest easy tonight... I think you are OK. If the overheating incident caused permanent damage, you will have a warped head gasket and maybe damaged valve cover gaskets. Neither is likely because you only drove a short distance.

Start the car and look at the exhaust. If it is NOT white-colored, you are good (no warping or damage to the head gasket). Open the hood and listen to the engine. If you do not hear a "tapping noise," you are good (no damage to the camshaft or crankshaft).

Cracka350

iTrader: (1)

For the check engine light, you can either buy an inexpensive diagnostic tool, or autoparts stores will usually check codes for free.

icer5160

iTrader: (4)

Definitely get the engine code checked. It could just be a warning light left over from when the vehicle initially overheated. It might self-clear once you drive the car for a bit. But best to get it scanned.

You won't truly know if damage was done until after you refill your cooling system and bleed out all the air. Once that is done drive the vehicle as you would normally and keep an eye on the engine temp, coolant level & color, engine oil level & color, and exhaust color. There's a good possibility that you didn't damage the heads or head gaskets, but sometimes the gaskets can be "weakened" by an incident like this. A small, almost unnoticeable leak could be present or develop in the coming days/weeks. I would get the coolant tested for exhaust gases after some driving is done.

Other things that could be checked for good measure & peace of mind.
1) Spark plugs.
2) Compression check.
3) Leak down test.

Good Luck!
-Icer

bad boyz

iTrader: (1)

These engines are pretty hardy mine overheated and everything checked out fine I was pretty nervous as well the end result was I needed a new water pump which is located in the engine block,the mechanic I was using at the time said one of the fins broke off the pump! what everyone is saying is very correct, be real patient when filling it up with coolant might be a good ideal to use one of the sump tools for refilling the coolant GL!!