Running Hot

A forum for the Nissan Quest... minivan lovers unite!
jprohn2487
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2019 7:11 am
Car: 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE
3.5L V6
Automatic

Post

So, my 2002 Pathfinder is running hot. Hoping y'all can help me out. I have already replaced the radiator, water pump and front thermostat. The fan clutch tests ok (depending on your interpretation of "free spinning", it does have some resistance). It only tries to run hot when it has a load (in drive mainly). Once I start moving again it cools back down. Sometimes it will start to heat up when traveling a long distance at slow speeds (like through two of the small towns I drive through daily both of which are under 40 mph). If I'm sitting in a drive thru or at a red light I shift to neutral and that seems to help. If it does it while moving I kick on the heater and that really helps, almost stops it entirely. I should also note that I do not have a fan cover installed and the rear thermostat (please don't make me change it!) has not been touched. Any ideas?


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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

Fan shroud and - YEP - change that thermostat. Flush the system while you're at it.

jprohn2487
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2019 7:11 am
Car: 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE
3.5L V6
Automatic

Post

Thanks, I reinstalled the fan shroud (it helped a little) and I ordered the thermostat. I really didn't want to mess with the WCV... I flushed it out when I changed the other parts about a month ago. Think I should again? Also just realized this in the Quest Forum, sorry for that.

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

No worries, the advice would be the same! :)

Welcome aboard. Keep us posted!

jprohn2487
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2019 7:11 am
Car: 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE
3.5L V6
Automatic

Post

So I've spent a while chasing down anything and everything and found two things. The air bleed port on the back of the engine was/is not properly capped but I can take care of that easy enough. The second thing is a hose I am having trouble tracking down. It runs from the throttle body to the crossover tube and show evidence of a small slow leak. I pressure tested the system and noticed I was losing pressure at about 1/2 a PSI every 10 minutes. What hose is this? I cannot find a number anywhere. I believe this is my problem.


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