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SoapDude
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Mar 13, 2008, 4:39 PM
Post #1 of 21
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Nissan VG30E overheating
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I am having problems with my 1988 Nissan 200sx with the 3.0 liter VG30E engine. It is overheating. I started by checking to see if the lower radiator hose was getting pressure... None. So I changed the thermostat. Still nothing, so I assumed water pump.. Changed water pump (and timing belt.. boy was that fun!), and the lower radiator hose is still getting no pressure! I let the car warm up (which seems to take too long), and once it does, it gets too warm and nothing to the radiator. There is no clog in the hose either. While I was changing everything, I cleaned the hose out... I'm lost. Please help! Thanks so much in advance!
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Double J
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Mar 13, 2008, 5:29 PM
Post #2 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Has the system been pressure tested ? Fill the system and pressure test it to make sure there is no leaks. Not sure on this model if there is a bleeder,but make sure there isn't an air pocket in the system. May have to fill the system/block thru the upper hose.. If no leaks,run to operating temperature and feel the upper radiator hose,should be hot to the touch when thermostat opens. If there are no bleeders in the system,may have to take one of the heater hoses loose and run it until coolant comes out... <<<<Caution:>>>coolant will be hot....AT your own risk. Also check to make sure the cooling fan is operating...will come on when engine reaches a certain temp..usually around 225/230 degrees. Just some thoughts. Jim P.S....Was Water Pump leaking?? Is radiator clear...not plugged?
(This post was edited by JIM N on Mar 13, 2008, 5:33 PM)
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Double J
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Mar 13, 2008, 6:31 PM
Post #4 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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When the t-stat opens coolant comes out of the engine there and goes into the radiator at the top..thru the radiator and back in to the engine thru the lower hose.... If you want ,take the t-stat out and reinstall the housing and run the engine..see if it circulates thru. I don't know if this a cross flow radiator or a vertical flow....but you should see it come across the radiator tubes .. Maybe the radiator is plugged...after running the engine to operating temp..you can feel the radiator tube area section(between the tanks)...should be hot to the touch at the top and as you slide your hand down it it should stay the same ..if clogged up it may appear cool/cold in the bad area....just be careful doing this..watch your hands...at your own risk. Some models ( I don't know on the Nissan) have a spring in the lower hose to keep it from collapsing .. Let me know JIm
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Double J
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Mar 13, 2008, 6:42 PM
Post #6 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Like I stated,not familiar with the Nissan... But can you run it without the t-stat and see what happens?.
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dave284
Enthusiast
Mar 13, 2008, 7:03 PM
Post #7 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Maybe a stupid question, but you did install t-stat with the spring side facing the engine?.....other then that you may have a blockage either in the radiator or the engine it self cause if it takes a while to heat up than overheats..... it could have layers of corrosion inside the block and enough to block the flow. How does the inside of radiator of what that you can see look like? it was just a thought to add Jim
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SoapDude
Novice
Mar 13, 2008, 7:33 PM
Post #10 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Yah, before I installed the new thermostat, I did the boil test on it. ... I know for a fact that the coolant is not leaving the engine block. I also know for a fact that the water pump is turning and the thermostat is functional...
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Double J
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Mar 13, 2008, 8:22 PM
Post #11 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Does this help???
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Double J
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Mar 13, 2008, 8:24 PM
Post #12 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Looks like from that pix that the manual is right.. That pix is from the autozone site... Keep us posted.. Jim
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SoapDude
Novice
Mar 13, 2008, 8:33 PM
Post #13 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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So the spring should face away from the engine just like in the picture? That's what I have in my Chilton manual...
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Double J
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Mar 13, 2008, 8:37 PM
Post #14 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Thats what it looks like...two different sources say the same thing... Heck give it a try..its at least something definite to go on. Let me know... Jim
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SoapDude
Novice
Mar 13, 2008, 8:39 PM
Post #15 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Cool man, I'll be playing in the snow with this thing tomorrow and let you guys know how it goes..
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Double J
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Mar 13, 2008, 8:41 PM
Post #16 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Snow?? Where the heck are you at? All of our snow finally melted ...today it got up to 58 degrees here and the sun was out...FINALLY... SO SHHHHHHHHHHHH don't say the S word ... I've had about enough of that stuff for one season..
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SoapDude
Novice
Mar 13, 2008, 8:43 PM
Post #17 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Haha I'm in northern Ohio and it hit about 53 today, but colder tomorrow and all the snow hasn't melted yet... Oops I said it again..
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 13, 2008, 10:50 PM
Post #18 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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<<<< See what can happen? PENALTY!!!! WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY THE WORD "SNOW" IN MARCH!! Wow - that was quite a go around with this thing! I think what's happening is this is somehow stuck in by-pass mode with the t-stat configured the way it is, it just isn't getting the accurate engine temp to open. Anything funky going on with all the smaller hoses (by-pass) going near that thermostat? I read this too fast - sorry - but I think something is up with that type of t-stat. That bottom disc must be in place or it will just be in by--pass mode forever - is that possible? T
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dave284
Enthusiast
Mar 14, 2008, 8:45 AM
Post #19 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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Well guys this has got my attention talking about the car not the snow, btw its sunny and temp is 74 here
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Double J
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Mar 14, 2008, 12:34 PM
Post #20 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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74.....<< Lucky B**T**D >>>>
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SoapDude
Novice
Mar 19, 2008, 9:24 AM
Post #21 of 21
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Re: Nissan VG30E overheating
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So the problem is fixed! I went down to the auto parts store and bought one of these things you hook up to your coolant line and a garden hose and flushed the system out. There must have been a clog somewhere because it's working fine now! Thanks to everyone for all of the advice! I'll definitely be back here next time I have a problem.
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