Major S13 overheating problem

[Flicktitty]

Car: 1993 Nissan 240SX Coupe Auto.

Car over heated about a week ago, And i brought the car to my buddies place to put a new thermostat in it. Well that DIDN'T solve the problem.

So i put in the a new radiator and dual electric fans that i got for when i do the swap. I wired the fans to the stock harness (to turn on when the stockers do) I also filled it up with 50/50 mix coolant. (NO WATER, the car was runnning mostly water before) Turn the car on and let it run for a while (30min) then it started over heating again! WTF! so i checked for any leaks and i fixed the one hose that had a slight leak. Checked it again and the car was fine. I left the car like that then tonight i was driving it home and noticed it started overheating again.

What do you think the problem is? Coolant temp sensor? Something wrong with when the fan turns on? Headgasket? what?

When i put the heat on full blast the car cools right back down, Then once i turn the heat off it stays fine for a while then slowly starts to climb again.

Any thoughts?

Cliffnotes: OVERHEATING KA24DE, NEW THERMOSTAT,RADIATOR,DUAL E-FANS,NO VISUAL LEAKS,NEW COOLANT OVERFLOW TANK, STILL OVER HEATS.

[Eikon]

I know this is pretty basic cars 101 type stuff... but spend some more time bleading the system. It sounds a bit like you have an air bubble in there somewhere.

[Flicktitty]

I know this is pretty basic cars 101 type stuff... but spend some more time bleading the system. It sounds a bit like you have an air bubble in there somewhere.

we bleed air on it for a while, i mean i geuss we can try again.

[zerepdivad]

is the coolant going low as well? Is it turning a weird color at all? Your oil look milky or "chocolaty" How long was it driven while overheated? more info will help people diagnose a little better. It did this with the stock clutch fan as well? or just with the electrics? any coolant coming out of the "weep" hole in the waterpump?

[Flicktitty]

is the coolant going low as well? Is it turning a weird color at all? Your oil look milky or "chocolaty" How long was it driven while overheated? more info will help people diagnose a little better. It did this with the stock clutch fan as well? or just with the electrics?

No, the coolant isn't going down from what i can tell. When it 1st overheated i have no idea as i wasen't driving my girlfriend was. i would say less then a min or two. And the oil looks fine, which is why i am leaning away from a HG.

The STOCK e-fan bracket was broken, but the fan spun. Now it has 2 12" E-Fans. As of right now the car doesn't have the white mechanical fan. i will be putting that back on tomarrow to see if thats the probelm.

new fan specs Size: 12"- Thickness (Motor Height): 2.5"- Air Flow Rate:>1130 CBM/Hr- Speed: 2100 RPM- Power:12VDC, 40W

[pancho y onions]

Did this all happen right after the fan install? Drive around a bit and see if the fans dont turn off. Also check your waterpump belt it could be slipping when it heats up. Did ya fill the radiator with the car off? If so you might have pockets of air in there.

[Flicktitty]

Did this all happen right after the fan install? Drive around a bit and see if the fans dont turn off. Also check your waterpump belt it could be slipping when it heats up. If ya need help let me know and we can see whats up.

i did the fan/radiator after the thermostat didn't solve the problem. I checked the belt and it seems stiff still, Plus the water pump is just now 1 year old. Isaac, give me a call tonight if you get this i'll swing over to your place, or i will be out by ryans tomarrow trying to figure it out.

[240nspec]

Do the following tests for me, Might be able to help out...

You can do the following tests:

turn the Car on with AC.

Does the Fan turn on?

No- the fan could be bad

Yes- Goto the next test.

Get the Car past operating temperature. Does the Fan Kick in?

Yes- Sounds like your Relay and Coolant Temp Sensor is good and in operating condition. Move onto the next test.

No - You could either have a bad relay or a bad coolant temp sensor. I would start by swapping out the relay first with another one in the car, so you dont have to buy one. if that doesn't work, then you'd have to try the coolant temp sensor.

Next test is to rule out major car problems.When the car is running, do you have an unusual white exhaust?what I mean by this is, compared to other exhaust gases from normal working cars, is there a noticeable white pigment to the smoke?

Yes - Well we might be looking at a head gasket failure. Blow gasket's will lead to coolant seeping into the combustion chamber thus the smoke, and increased engine temperatures.

No - Well more than likely your head gasket is secure. Move on!

Coolant Levels, if we are to this point and your 240 is still overheating Nick, my guess you'll already know if you have enough coolant in your car. obviously.

No - Not enough coolant, add and check operating temps!

Yes - You have enough, my last guess would be Air in the system.

Jack the car up as high as you can, get the radiator as high as you can. Bleed the system by removing the drain plug, drain coolant. FILL with a Radiator Flush additive which can be purchased pretty much anywhere. Top of the rest with normal water. Run for 10 minutes with your heater on Full heat! Watch temps theyt will climb but should stay within a workable temp. after the ten minutes have passed... wait until the engine is cool (i mean this opening the cap now would be a bad call on your part nick)

once cool, lower vehicle to normal ride height, drain all flush additive and water. Important. Re-jack the car up, refill with 50/50. once you think it is full (while car is still up in the air) turn on the car for about 30 seconds (maybe even a minute) stop the car, give it a minute open cap slowly (shouldnt be hot) and refill if needed (continue this step until it is TRULLY full!)

fill your overflow catch tank to appropriate levels after the car is lowered again. and even for good measures (i know this seems irritating) run car 1 more time... (now with the car level on the ground) open cap and see if you need more.

last step...

REPORT BACK. let me know whats up, if I can help you in any way. shoot me a message. I dont work until 1:30 tomorrow then after that it will be pretty much hard to reach me.

--Kevin

[93bluecoupe]

water pump

[Flicktitty]

Thanks guys, Kevin i'll try that stuff tomarrow. i just got home from my buddy Isaac's house (Poncho Y onions) and he was ****in with it for a while. He thinks it might be the fans not kicking on at the right time (the car cools down after 35mph, but after 45mph it cools down even faster.

so idk i'm gonna wire the fan up to a switch tomarrow morning and see how that is. if nothing else i'll do what you said kevin. if nothing else maybe the waterpump/thermostat again

uhhh of all weekends to fail.

and to top **** off since i was in my G/f car and it's registered to Menomonee falls and i live in Delavan (hour away) i got pulled over pulling into my driveway cause the exhaust was too loud and the taillights aren't bright enough what a way to end the night.

[tonis56]

nick, turn on the heat inside the car when it is at full operating temp. Is it hot or cold? I had this prob with my old Subaru. The motor would overheat like none other and the heater would be ice cold. I changed everything i could think of ( good thing it had 230k miles on it and it actually needed some of this stuff). Finally after talking to one of my instructors at school he mentioned bleeding the system for air. I drove around for a while with the cap on the first click, nothing really noticeable for improvements but the coolant was going down. So I let it sit at idle in my driveway for a couple hours and this worked. I even jacked up the car to get the fill neck at the highest point in the car to encourage the bubbles to come out. This actually did the trick. We gots to have you there tomorrow man!

Tony-

[tonis56]

ok, I just read that your heat is good and it cools down the motor, there could be a bubble somewhere else though.

Tony-

[bigperk11]

Sounds like air in the system but i would not rule out a head gasket.

[eidk]

Good luck trying to locate the problem. Where did you buy this water pump? From nissan dealership?

You gotta figure this out. I don't know anyone to begin with. If you don't go I won't know anyone!

[240nspec]

Hey stefan,

If you remember me I was parked next to you at the Highway Meet. One of the other white s13's

Ill be there tomorrow.

Nick get your S*** in gear, and get goin!

Why not cruise up with Liz?

Whatever you do, You Will be headin up to Fondy. ok

[eidk]

Yeah i remember you guys. But that is what i ment. I know like 4/5 people. Take Nick out of the equation and that is 3/4 people.

Its cool though, tomorrow promises to be a good day. Sucks i have to drive up alone i think though.

[Flicktitty]

Hey stefan,

If you remember me I was parked next to you at the Highway Meet. One of the other white s13's

Ill be there tomorrow.

Nick get your S*** in gear, and get goin!

Why not cruise up with Liz?

Whatever you do, You Will be headin up to Fondy. ok

it is Liz's car lol....

unless we take my truck or something

[undesiredshoe]

See if the radiator cap seal is still good and if the spring is still pretty stiff.

[Flicktitty]

HUGE THANKS TO ISAAC (PONCHO Y ONIONS) We were out from 1030-215am yesterday and for a few hours today, finally tried the thermostat again and sure as **** the "new" one was bad. so with the new thermostat the car runs good!

[s15aero]

hey flick im a friend of 240nspec he told me about what was happening to your coupe. im glad you got it solved. i had this exact prob in my mom car it turned out that sometimes the "new" thermostats arent bad it is you "pinch" themwhen you install them creating bubbles in thermostat gasket seal? blah... after all that mumbo jumbo my ? is that what happen to you. and if so how did you stall the new new with out causing it to "Pinch"

[Flicktitty]

hey flick im a friend of 240nspec he told me about what was happening to your coupe. im glad you got it solved. i had this exact prob in my mom car it turned out that sometimes the "new" thermostats arent bad it is you "pinch" themwhen you install them creating bubbles in thermostat gasket seal? blah... after all that mumbo jumbo my ? is that what happen to you. and if so how did you stall the new new with out causing it to "Pinch"

i have no clue, i think the one that was "new" and went bad was just a little ****ed up cause it was really sensitive, (faster you went it cooled down)