1990 Nissan 240sx ka24de PLEASE HELP! Overheated causing engine to stall

[calazon]

1990 Nissan 240sa ka24de.

Hi, last night i did something REALLY stupid because i was in a rush, i forgot to put the cap back on the radiator after filling up my coolant. . on my way home it started backfiring a couple times, and a clicking noise started to happen around 3,200 rpm and only around there. i had my fans on and my heat on, but there was no warm air coming through the vents. my temperature gauge was fine until i came to a stop sign and my car just shut off. it would not turn over and there was no coolant left in the system. today i filled the coolant up and turned it over for a few seconds and it eventually started, the idle is really low and finiky and there is still a knocking/clicking noise and a squeel/chirp at some points. all i did was crawl it into the driveway then neutral into my garage and turned it off. there was steam coming off of the engine last night while waiting for the tow truck, but no steam from the radiator or the coolant container. my water pump is also leaking from the holes on the side of it. does anybody have any input on where i should start, and what i should check first?

[MaximA32]

I would pressure test the cooling system for the main source of the leaks and go from there.

[calazon]

(thanks for the reply man!) how do you pressure test the cooling system? and it is leaking out of the 2 holes on the water pump, should i replace that first? or what do those holes mean?

[MaximA32]

I would try a few different parts stores and see if they have a loaner tool program. If so, just follow the directions. If no parts stores around have a loaner tool program, try calling some repair shops. Alot of them will do a free pressure test in order to try to get your business.

[elwesso]

Despite how you may order your steak, motors do not like to be cooked to "well done" status.

I bet you cooked the motor and its probably done for... You will FOR SURE need to change the oil, and id check oil pressure and then compression to see if even the engine is worth saving...

[calazon]

thanks for the help guys. my uncle popped over and said that it might just be the water pump. the bearing is gone in it, so i'm going to get a new one tomorrow then see how it's doing

[calazon]

ok, so i put a new water pump in and it's driveable now. there was a clicking noise at first from inside (possibly a lifter) but not it has seemed to stop. it still idles rough and is hard to start. i'm thinking the head gasket is blown?

[wheelsspin]

Overheating an engine will usually lead to a blown head gasket. Compression test is in order.

[gotspeed]

a compression test is definitely needed and its best to not try and start it unneceserily bc you dont want to cause any further damage like the heads for example.

[wheelsspin]

^