Coolant leak

[WPGQX4]

Ok here we go.

I noticed the other day that there is a small coolant leak coming from under my throttle body. It's coming out of the spot where the throttle is adjusted as the truck warms up. It looks like a smooth nail pushing on an adjustable screw (screw is very small). What is this called and can it be replaced? I've tried to look it up on the internet but can't find anything. Looks like it could slide out if you remove a screw. Thanks in advance.

[WPGQX4]

Anyone have any idea about this part?

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Can you get some pics? The coolant sleeve that goes through the throttle body should definitely be sealed.

[WPGQX4]

I could get pics but have no idea how to put them on the forum. I could email them to someone.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

If you e-mail them to me I'll put them up on here for ya. My e-mail address is removed at users request

[WPGQX4]

Thanks Pwnin. I'll try and get some pics here in the next day or 2 and email them to ya so you can see what I'm talking about.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

OP has been updated with pics!

What is that screw? Is that the throttle butterfly stop screw? Being in such close proximity to the coolant inlet I would think you might have a crack in the TB, but that's a wild guess.

[WPGQX4]

I'm not sure what it is called. I've watched it when the engine is running. It pushes against that small screw as the engine warms up. You can see in the first pic how a roller at the top adjusts the idle by letting the throttle rest at a lower spot. It looks like a bracket holds the cylinder that the smooth nail looking piece comes out of. I'm hoping that all I have to do is replace that part and not the whole throttle body. Anyone else with a 3.3 know what this is?

[alexf20c]

that little plunger looking thing is a thermo element which controls/causes a fast idle. on cold starts, you'll notice that you have a high idle. (this is an emissions control feature.) it works on the same principle as a thermostat. when it warms up it will expand, pushing the plunger outward. when it is cold, the plunger is retracted and the strong spring preload will push the cam upward (you can see in the pic where it contacts the throttle body lever) and cause a fast idle.

the part is not cheap ($125), and to be honest with you i would not call that a leak. it's more of a dribble, if at all. it's an easy install though, if you insist on replacing it.

[WPGQX4]

Thanks alex. You wouldn't happen to know the part # for it? I'm going to fix it. I don't like to let things fester. Better to get it while it's not a problem then wait till it is.

[alexf20c]

http://www.courtesyparts.com/16391u-ele ... 96302.html

that part number correlates specifically to the R50 Pathfinder with the 3.3 V6, but it should work with your Infiniti. the motor is identical between the Infiniti and Nissan.

[BoostMyQX4]

Anybody knows how to fix a leaking Thermo Element?
I know there is an O-ring on it, i know this because i took an old one apart, can the O-ring be replaced or is there some sort of Sealant or silicon that can be used to make it a tight seal?

[Chuck Tribolet]

What do you mean by "Thermo Element"?

What year?


Chuck

[BoostMyQX4]

What do you mean by "Thermo Element"?

What year?


Chuck

This piece, isn't that what is called?


year 97

[BoostMyQX4]

Ok I think I fixed it.
Took the Thermo unit out of the throttle body then went to the hardware store and picked up like 6 kinds of O-rings and put one on that was as close to the old one but just a bit thicker.
Then used Waterpump and thermostat RTV silicon gasket to make a new seal.
So far so good not seeing any leaks, if it works I just saved 116 dollars

[Chuck Tribolet]

O-rings come in standard sizes (outside diameter, inside diameter, and thickness. If you have two of those values you can calculate the third.) Very few HW stores carry metric size O-rings, which it's highly likely Nissan used. And the material varies, both in composition (rubber, Viton, ...) and durometer (hardness).

I'd be keeping a real close eye on it.


Chuck

[BoostMyQX4]

Ok Chuck so far so good, no leaks at all
After i let it seat overnight so that the RTV silicon fully cured from Wednesday to yesterday afternoon, after i out everything back together i let it warm up kept checking for leaks and NADA
So i drove around town for about 2 hours running errands after i came back home i checked one more time and didn't see anything, no leaks.
This morning i told my wife to take the QX to work, so i went to the garage i looked under didn't see any fluids on the floor, started up let it warm up and everything was dry.
So i think we are A O KAY