Having A Couple Of Problems

[ChickenWyng]

When I first joined and needed help getting my car to run, you guys came to the rescue and I hope you guys can help this time also. The car warms up fine but after about 10-15 minutes of driving the car starts to overheat to the marker right under H. I turn the heat all the way up to cool it down and then it seems to run fine as long as the heat is on. I had the water pump replaced a couple of months ago and there doesn't appear to be any leaks either. I noticed the upper radiator hose doesn't have any pressure so I am not sure what to do. The other thing is that when I start up the car and let it warm up, the smell of gasoline comes into the car but once I start driving it goes away. There appears to be either fuel or oil coming through the spark plug wires onto the engine but I am not sure if that has anything to do with it. Any help you guys could provide would greatly be appreciated.

[dm-ka]

Sounds like you need to change your termostat. Also for smell of fuel check your fuel lines and see if they are tightened I had that on my 300zx once and all I had to do tighten the fuel line. Hope this helps.

[ChickenWyng]

Thanks, I figured the thermostat needed to be changed but I wasn't sure. I'll also check those fuel lines when I get a chance.

[Vegascorbin]

+1 thermostat

Just be sure to blead the system of air after you replace the thermostat or you will be right back needing more help

[ChickenWyng]

How hard is it to change it out? I've never done it before obviously and if I could save some money I would rather try it myself.

[helluvasinger]

changing the thermostat is easy.. 3 bolts on the elbow and it's right there.. You're going to lose some fluid though..

Here's the key.. and the problem I just encountered.

The thermostat has a little brass nipple. It's actually a breather. You must make sure that the breather is straight up!!! If not, it won't allow the passage of the coolant and will just heat up inside the engine. It's like pouring gas out of a gas can. "glug glug glug" But when you open the small vent on the can, the gas just pours right out. It's the same concept basically with the thermostat. I spent 4 days trying to figure out why my car was overheating.

Hope that helps you!!

[ChickenWyng]

Thanks, I appreciate the help. The last question I have is where exactly is the housing located? Does it come out of the upper radiator hose or through the lower one? I was looking at a diagram online but I can't quite tell.

[ChickenWyng]

I found the thermostat housing but I noticed that the hose leading to it is starting to crack where the clamp is. How hard is it to change this house out since it looks like it runs to the lower part of the radiator? I don't have a jack either so is it possible to do this without it?

[helluvasinger]

I can't quite remember.. I can do it on mine, but I eliminated my fan and shroud and now I'm only running the electric fan. You should be able to do it from up top though...

[ChickenWyng]

Thanks again, I'll give it a shot tomorrow when the weather is a little warmer.

[ChickenWyng]

Not sure if anybody cares, but I got the thermostat fixed yesterday. The funny thing was that I boiled the old thermostat in water and it popped open. I just wanted to thank everybody here for the vast amount of info and help considering all my car knowledge has come from Nico.