I have a 2003 with 127K. I had a problem and after they try to screw me over by every mechanic in town($425 for headlight, $1,050 for all 4 cam sensors _I KNOW_, $375 for wires that were burnt and shorting out headlight(Not)), my friend replaced both cam sensors and crank sensor, plugs, and coil. Car ran fine but tach was still jumpy. Then Radiator cracked. Replaced that along with thermostat, housing and hoses. Still overheating. We bleed it many times then the bleeder broke. Replaced that and it finally seemed OK. It was running about 40% on gauge and not moving higher than that which was right where it was at before. Ran like that for around 1500 miles. Now it's running hot again. Odd thing is at idle it cools down but under throttle it heats up. Fans are working.

Never ran hot for 5 years and 25k miles. Oil was changed. No oil in water. No smoke. Car runs well.

Any ideas? I'm at a loss.

Thanks,

Tom

 

What caused the radiator to crack? Did it overheat?

 

Did you try bleeding it again? You could still have some air in the system..

 

Don't know why it cracked. It did not overheat until the crack and I shut it off before it went too hot and had it towed.
It ran cool for 1500 miles. No leaks. Fluid is full in Radiator. Would not take a drop.
Do you think it could be the thermostat I bought? I bought an aftermarket from Advanced for $25.
Should I get an OEM one?

This is confusing.

 

Sorry. Let me be clear.
It ran cool after I replaced the radiator, Hoses, Thermostat and housing, bleader valve that cracked while bleeding it, and bleeding it 3 days in a row.

Then is ran fine for 1500 miles. Now is getting hot again. Water is full in radiator with no leaks.

Only gets hot under power. At idle it calms down but still not to normal.

Could it be a bad thermostat? Should I replace with a Nissan one?

I'll try bleeding it again tomorrow but after 1500 miles I would think it was OK..

??????

 

When the gauge indicates hot, feel the top and bottom radiator hoses. Bottom should be slightly cooler. If it's a lot cooler, T-stat is stuck closed.

 

anything from Advanced is garbage get that out of there if you expect your engine to live

even if that's not the issue you do not want an advanced part in your car they don't last..
replace thermostat try bleeding again make sure the heater works

Update with results

 

I'll try tomorrow. Thanks.

 

Just a thought, you bled it several times and it ran ok for a while. It's possible that you have a leak in the system that's allowing air to get in. It might be very small. Can you check all of the hoses and valves?