Titan engine overheat

[wchai]

My new Titan broke down on the freeway over the weekend and I found the coolant return hose was disconnected and the top clamp had dropped to the lower clamp. The truck overheated at 70 mph and miss fired a few times. I pulled over immediately to the side and got a flat-bed to take it home. I checked the oil and it seemed normal. The truck has only 5000 miles and I just took it on an 800 mile trip about a month ago without any problems. The truck is only driven on weekends which is why the mileage is so low. Has this happened to anyone?

I took the truck to the dealer yesterday. Dealer said the clamp was not installed correctly at the factory. They replaced the factory clamp with cheap a screw type clamp. They did a block test and found no engine damage. What is a block test? Should I check compression or leak-down, and how about the potential damages to the gaskets? I don't think the dealer did anything except replacing the clamp and refill coolant......

I wonder if I am the only one with this problem. I am calling Nissan to open a case file. I think I need better assurance than just a new hose clamp. Has anyone changed to T-bolt clamps?

Thanks

Wilson '04 Titan King SE 4x4 w/heavy tow pkg

[NISTECH]

Wilson I have yet to see one of those come in to our dealer. It seams odd both the radiator hose clamp would come off AND the over flow hose would also come off. What a block check does is test the cooling system for HC's. This would indicate weather or not a gasket was leaking engine combustion into the coolant jackets that surround the cyl's. The test is done using a special chemical that reacts to hydro carbons. It is placed over the radiator filler neck and draws air from the cooling system through the fluid. If the fluid changes color you have a leaking head gasket, cracked head or block.

[wchai]

Thanks very much Nistech. Only the top hose clamp on the return coolant hose came off. Overflow hose was fine. Dealer said the clamp was never put on right because the spring clip is still on (I didn't understand that because dealer took the clamp and never showed it to me). It is amazing that I didn't have any coolant leak for 9 months and 5000 miles.

My Titan drives fine for now. Sound/power/idle all appears normal. I just changed oil and filter (Mobil 1 synthetic, always). The coolant level is now at the min mark, and I hope this is due to air displacement in the engine, not leaks. Truck has a strong burned coolant smell so it reminds me everytime I walk by. The engine compartment is a mess, as you can expect. I tried to clean up a little but found it to be very difficult. I will try it again on Sunday. I think Nissan should've steam cleaned the engine compartment for me.

I will change the cheap clamp from dealer to a t-bolt clamp. Will also check all other hose clamps, just to be sure.

Wilson

[NISTECH]

The dealer may not have steam cleaned it due to EPA regulations, not dealer choice. I know what they meant by "spring clamp" It is a pinch clamp similar to the rest of the clamps on the engine. It is spring loaded and must be squeezed together to remove and install it. When the clamp is new it has a holder installed to keep it squeezed. Its possible the holder was still on there. Due to the snug fit of the hoses it is entirely possible it would not pop right off the radiator nipple for some time. To clean your engine use plain water, no cleaners are needed. The water will disolve the crustated nissan long life coolant on contact.