I know this thread has been done in the past, however of the ones i read the situations weren't quite the same as mine, And im looking for some recommendations and input.

My 350z has recently started overheating often in the last 2 weeks. The first time it happened while spending a half hour trying to find parking in a parking lot, after having driven a total of about 65 miles that day. I was using air conditioning, and the temperature outside had hit about 95. when I finally found a parking space, the coolant was boiling and squirting out of that tube next to the overflow reservoir, with steam coming out. I let the car sit for a half hour, and when I came back to it and started it, the temperature lowered again and it stayed fine for about 2 weeks. 2 days ago I was driving ortega highway, with air conditioning on. About halfway into it, the heat gauge was moving up towards the top, so I threw the heater on and once it cooled down I turned the AC off and It was fine. Today was the most ridiculous. I drive 5 minutes down the street to the grocery store, never going higher than 45mph or 4000 rpm, and on the way back it started overheating. the temperature outside was around 100 both of these days.

So far I plan on changing the thermostat and the radiator cap, as the car has 122,000 miles on it and neither of these have been done. The only changes recently would me having switched to royal purple oil (10w30) from mobil 1 5w30 and the temperature outside. Could the oil have made the difference? it had been 500 miles since the oil was changed when the issue started. Also, Since it is an automatic, Im having trouble finding what other parts would be needed if it comes to an aftermarket radiator. I believe an oil cooler? For those of you that read this and have anything to offer, thank you in advance.

 

You shouldn't have to buy an oil cooler or an replace radiator, unless the radiator is bad.

You should top off the cooling system and do a compression test for a possible leak.

Do both of your fans kick on when your ac is on? Does your heater blow hot air? Do you hear gurgling noises through your vents? Our cars are bitches when it comes to purging the cooling system.

 

I just went thru the exact same problem with mine. It's air in the system. U have to bleed the system thru the heater hose plug. Just to be safe I'd replace the thermostat flush and replace coolant then bleed the system.

 

I would start with a thermostat and new cap, also make sure your fans are properly coming on.

 

Before you replace anything make sure the fans are operating properly.

 

I haven't looked if they kick on, however the fans are loud and they still sound the same as they always did. the heater does blow hot air. I don't hear gurgling noises. How do I do the compression test?

 

Alright, I will be doing all of this

 

I know the fans are coming on, but I will double check to make sure that there isn't any issues with them.

 

Just because you hear the fans doesnt mean they are both kicking on. Id double check them when your car starts to overheat if possible.

Best way to test for leaks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GXJz0JjaUU
mmmhhh tittay's

 

full diagnostic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUzOT...eature=related

 

Thanks, I'll try that stuff out