Coolant loss

Tiny
GERMESQUIVEL
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,000 MILES
My truck regularly overheats every 3-4 months or so. My truck always smells like coolant when I walk around its front, even when I have turned off the engine. I suspect there is a leak but I do not see a pool of anything let alone green coolant when it is parked. When it does overheat, I wait until it has cooled (2-3 hours), top it off with 50/50 antifreeze and the problem seems to go away for another 3-4 months. I have replaced & fixed a busted head gasket and a cracked cylinder in the past. Am I facing the same doom? What does this normally cost around the Monterey, CA area (since I have recently moved) and when or how do I suspect I'm getting screwed by a mechanic?
Saturday, March 14th, 2009 AT 1:02 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get it chemical (Head Gasket) and pressure tested (External Leak) this will tell you something. Sometimes the leak is minor enough that it burns off creating the coolant odor, but doesn't gather enough to leave a puddle. Look all over the engine/radiator for a white chalky residue, this is what burnt coolant looks like
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Saturday, March 14th, 2009 AT 5:29 AM
Tiny
PLEASJ14
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
My frontier started overheating. I have replaced the thermostat, the water pump, and have cleaned out the radiator and filled with new antifreeze. When the temp. Rises you can turn on the heat and the temp goes down immediately. What else could it be?
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Saturday, December 22nd, 2018 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Are your cooling fans kicking in?

Do you know if the vehicle is actually overheating or if it is just the gauge? Try turning the A/C on full blast when the gauge is reading overheating stage. If air is cold then the temp. Sensor is faulty. If air is warm then car is actually overheating and you should check your radiator cap and ensure it is not cracked or faulty/loose.
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Saturday, December 22nd, 2018 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SARITA1953
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 68,000 MILES
Our Nissan first had the alternator replaced and then was overheating. Nissan replaced the radiator and after driving about 60 miles began to overheat again. Any ideas?

Now this am the truck will not start - sounds like it is going to but won't turn over. HELP!
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Saturday, December 22nd, 2018 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try replacing the thermostat don't work bring it back and have them block and pressure test it-
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Saturday, December 22nd, 2018 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SWIMMERWITSTYLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN FRONTIER
2000 Nissan Frontier Manual

Hello, I have a 2000 Nissan frontier crew cab with 170k+ miles on it. It just got a new water pump and new fan clutch but yet it is still overheathing the transmissoin isnt the best on it could that be the problem or what else could be the problem?
Thank you so much for your time have a great day
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Saturday, December 22nd, 2018 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

start by replacing the thermostat and having the radiator cleaned and flow tested.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, December 22nd, 2018 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)

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