Hi fellas,
Just got a toks 2000 Nissan Pathfinder as my official ride. Thnks 2 u all 4 every piece of advice u gv in making d choice b4 NL crashed lately.

Now, I'm beginning 2 notice serious heat inside & around d bonnet even afta every little drive. D temperature guage also rises 2 centre almost immediately one starts d car: dis remains constant though even afta continuous driving.

I dont want 2 quickly jump 2 conclusion dat dis is over-heating cos water in d radiator remains same & d fan is working.

While samplin opinion of a mechanic, he suggested thermostart be removed bt I dont want 2 readily subscribed 2 dat since I hv read a few things on NL (b4 d website crash) warning against removing it.

Talkng also wt an auto technician (electrician) he claimed there's something he can do on & around d fan compartment.

Gurus pls what do u think? It may be too early 2 start fiddling wt dis ride.

Thnks in adv.

NB: I hv 2 register a new user name since I cannot log in again wt my old user name due 2 NL crash.

There's nothing wrong with ur car.

Bro use and enjoy your sweet ride. You are good to go

Thnks sirs.

Bt u mean nothin is wrong? Is it dat it is peculiar to Pathfinder?

@OP, your car seems okay from what you posted up there. Modern cars are designed to achieve optimum temperature in as little time as possible to ensure engine efficiency.

Thermostats are used to make sure the engine runs at optimum temperature dis same temperature is required to burn oil by making it lighter. If your thermostat is removed you couod have a situation where sludges would be built in your engine compartment

@Op, never allow your vehicle technology to be rewrite by your mech tech. Your car is running perfectly well. By removing the thermostat and directing the fan as I believe that is what the auto electrician intend to do, will not do any good to your engine but make your engine to run below the operating temperature which the effect is not immediately notice as sludge is build in the system with time. Enjoy your ride !!!

Thnks gurus in d hse. I was just afraid d heat wil nt melt any of d hoses in d bonnet. Now no more shaking!

Thnks 4 sharing. Gd thngs wil never cease 2 happen in ur life too o!

Check if your fan comes on immediately you start the car

Your car has a mechanical cooling fan which is controled by a clutch system for effective cooling. Dont tamper with it.

It obviously have the thermostat installed. Thats good. Only monitor the temperature guage going further than its usual point. Heat coming from under the car is as a result of the fan blowing it.

It just could be that the radiator is getting clogged, and the heat the OP observes is the onset of overheating. I'd suggest the radiator is either flushed or replaced altogether. The vehicle is 14 years old, how old is the radiator in there? It's probably the one that left the factory with the car originally.

I appreciate u all 4 ur timely responses.

@nissparts. Yea d fan comes up immediately d ignition starts.

@costee. Wont it be of any implication if d radiator is flushed at dis stage cos d coolant (water) in it is stil very green? Sorry I may sound a bit novice!

Hope 2 learn more frm u great guys.

Innovation4real: I appreciate u all 4 ur timely responses.

@nissparts. Yea d fan comes up immediately d ignition starts.

@costee. Wont it be of any implication if d radiator is flushed at dis stage cos d coolant (water) in it is stil very green? Sorry I may sound a bit novice!

Hope 2 learn more frm u great guys.

Unless the temperature gauge indicates your car is overheating, do not tamper with anything. If the temp gauge stays at the half way mark all through your daily drive, then ur car is okay. Engines generate heat and if you don't drive with A/C you might feel the heat in the car if the insulation is failing. You will also fell this heat when you open the bonnet. It's normal.

I'm feelin u fellas...

D drama really took a new turn tdy as I saw d temperature rising at diff. times I encounterd traffic tdy. See pic below.

I've gt 2 pack d ride by d road side on several occassions 2 allow engine compartment 2 cool off b4 entering road again. It was extremely hot: dat u cant even touc d bonnet. Dis really embarrassed me.

D funny part of dis was dat d coolant/water in d radiator never got reduced.

Guru, what are we saying on dis? Pls help.

Innovation4real: D drama really took a new turn tdy as I saw d temperature rising at diff. times I encounterd traffic tdy.

I've gt 2 pack d ride by d road side on several occassions 2 allow engine compartment 2 cool off b4 entering road again. It was extremely hot: dat u cant even touc d bonnet. Dis really embarrassed...D funny part of dis was dat d coolant/water in d radiator never got reduced.

Guru, what are we saying on dis? Pls help.

Cf. my post earlier.

Now there is a problem.

Unfortunately diagnosing high temperature is not an easy task. You have to be meticulous to avoid causing damage to other parts that are in good working order but was suppected.

Since there is no reduction in water level and especially that it happens on traffic, i suspect 2 things, cooling fan or thermostat. My bet will be on the cooling fan. I will not be able to tell you much on that without physical examination since the fan is not electrical. You will need to get a good mechanic to check the fan.

In an event the mechanic says the fan is ok, let him remove the thermostat. Collect the thermostat and keep, then drive the car for a day or two without it checking to to see if it over heats again. Also check with engine running and radiator cap open to see if the water moves like a whirl wind. If it doest move or moves without pattern, is a sign for bad water pump.

If the over heating stops then you probably have a bad thermostat which you should look for a good one and install. If it overheats then the thermostat is good but do not reinstall yet.

Solve your heating problem and then reinstall the thermostat, note, only after you are sure you have found the problem and corrected it.

Removing the radiator should be the last resort after every lead fails.

Fine premise. But would you be suggesting that either or both are working spasmodically? If the fans are not working, that could easily be seen. If the thermostat has completely gone bad, you don't need to be in traffic to experience overheating.

Costee: Fine premise. But would you be suggesting that either or both are working spasmodically? If the fans are not working, that could easily be seen. If the thermostat has completely gone bad, you don't need to be in traffic to experience overheating.

Quite true, though some thermostat failures is just a erratic behaviour.

If the thermostat is stuck close temperature should go up straight to near red zone within 20mins of start in the morning. If it is stuck open temperature may not get to its usual middle range and will take a longer time to. If it is erratic, anything can happen.

@OP, for the fact that ur fan is turning does not mean it is working correctly. A faulty fan wil not turn at the correct speed required. So get a technician to check it just incase the fan might be d problem

send an email to ikenna. He will be able to guide through a step by step process of resolving this your overheating issue. I advice you park this car until it is resolved so you don't do more damage to the engine.

GAZZUZZ: There's nothing wrong with ur car.

After looking at the picture you posted you car acutally over heats, let's do the simple things first

1.Check if your a.c condenser is blocked with dirt and insects, over time there will be build up of dirt and insects as you drive, if you can't see thru you condenser all the way to your fan, take yor car to a good car wash, "do not wash engine" cover all the sensitive electrical parts and back wash radiator and condenser with a jet of water.

2. Check if thermostat is stuck closed.
Discussed here https://www.nairaland.com/1788778/maintenance-tips-cars-quick-response#24358753
3. Check fan works when temp has exceeded normal conditions

I'm hoping these easy tips will solve ur problem, if not we go hard on the problem, my contact is on my signature if you need more tips.

Thnks all 4 ur concern. Sorry 4 my laate reply. Was just tryng 2 recover frm d wknd overheat stress.

@adanny01, d water in d rad. hs whirl wind movemnt.

@gazzuzz, d fan continues blowng even at d high temperature

So what we are saying now is dat d 'suspects' are cooling fan, thermostart, condenser & radiator. Then suggestions as
.flush both condenser & rad. Outside dis forum, a mech hs even suggested replacing d rad wt a double-cell rad.
.remove therm temporarily 2 confirm if problem persists, etc
.reinforce or replace cooling fan if nt blowing optimally.

Tho' both condenser & rad look neat & clean by mere physical body inspection: no insect/flies build-up, do I still go & flush them first? So pls hw do I get d green nature of d original rad coolant afta flushng?

I really appreciate u guys.

Innovation4real: Thnks all 4 ur concern. Sorry 4 my laate reply. Was just tryng 2 recover frm d wknd overheat stress.
@adanny01, d water in d rad. hs whirl wind movemnt.
@gazzuzz, d fan continues blowng even at d high temperature
So what we are saying now is dat d 'suspects' are cooling fan, thermostart, condenser & radiator. Then suggestions as
.flush both condenser & rad. Outside dis forum, a mech hs even suggested replacing d rad wt a double-cell rad.
.remove therm temporarily 2 confirm if problem persists, etc
.reinforce or replace cooling fan if nt blowing optimally.
Tho' both condenser & rad look neat & clean by mere physical body inspection: no insect/flies build-up, do I still go & flush them first? So pls hw do I get d green nature of d original rad coolant afta flushng?
I really appreciate u guys.

Replacing the radiator with a double cell radiator will not solve the problem.
Reinforcing your fan as it is advice is equal to running the fan directly with the engine speed which will dome more overheat problem in the traffic because the fan is made to run at different speed in relation to the temperature.
You need to look inward to the fan operational mode as well as a clogged radiator internally which cannot be seen.

autofixng:

Replacing the radiator with a double cell radiator will not solve the problem.
Reinforcing your fan as it is advice is equal to running the fan directly with the engine speed which will dome more overheat problem in the traffic because the fan is made to run at different speed in relation to the temperature.
You need to look inward to the fan operational mode as well as a clogged radiator internally which cannot be seen.

Thnk sir. So going for flushing of condenser & rad. first?

Innovation4real:
Thnk sir. So going for flushing of condenser & rad. first?

Yes.

For the coolant, you can get the alteady mixed 4 liter in auto spare part store.

autofixng: Yes.

For the coolant, you can get the alteady mixed 4 liter in auto spare part store.

Thnks bros. I know afta d flushng, 4ltrs water may nt fill d radiator. Do I first pour d entire already mixed-4ltrs & complement wt ordinary water? Or pour a qnty of it then fill up wt water?

Innovation4real:
Thnks bros. I know afta d flushng, 4ltrs water may nt fill d radiator. Do I first pour d entire already mixed-4ltrs & complement wt ordinary water? Or pour a qnty of it then fill up wt water?

It's already mixed coolant, so you need to buy the quantity that will fill up your system. But will advice u to get the issue resolve first by using water. There after you flush the water and replace with coolant.

autofixng: But will advice u to get the issue resolve first by using water. There after you flush the water and replace with coolant.

Wise move there! Thnks broda 4 d pocket-friendly advice.

Happy resumption 2 u all.

I never meant 2 keep u in suspense abt d progress: I've nt bn chanced 2 action all dat were recomended until dis few days.

Here are d outcomes:
1. Thorough flushng of both d radiator & condenser was done. Dis seemed nt 2 make any iota of difference in d heating. D temperature was rising as b4.

2. D nxt day, a mechanic service was engaged & d thermostart was removed. D heat persisted wt rising temerature guage.

Side-way recommendations:
While there @ both radiator-flushng place & mechanics, other vehicle owners wt some technician suggested I shld also try chang d radiator 2 double-cell rad.

What is next 2 be done pls?

Was the radiator removed to be flushed? Is the heating with or without A/C on? Somehow I still feel it's a radiator issue. Of course the next line to explore would be the water pump.
Here's a hunch: have the plugs checked. I've read of experiences of overheating resulting from burnt-out plugs. What's the mileage of the vehicle by the way? Again, as I suggested for the radiator, what if the plugs had never been changed before?

Costee: Was the radiator removed to be flushed? Is the heating with or without A/C on? Somehow I still feel it's a radiator issue. Of course the next line to explore would be the water pump.
Here's a hunch: have the plugs checked. I've read of experiences of overheating resulting from burnt-out plugs. What's the mileage of the vehicle by the way? Again, as I suggested for the radiator, what if the plugs had never been changed before?

Thnks sir 4 taking your time.
1. Yes d radiator was removed b4 flushing. Surprisingly, d water coming out of it was as clean as any other thing thing: nt in any way dirty.
Only d condenser was nt removed bt back-flushed (both front & back) 2 avoid loss of a/c gas.

2. D heating is wt both with/without a/c.

3. @adanny01 suggested d water pump test b4 & we experimented it. D water had a whirl wind-like move wt d rad cap open.

adanny01: Also check with engine running and radiator cap open to see if the water moves like a whirl wind. If it doest move or moves without pattern, is a sign for bad water pump.

Do we still look at d possibility of replacing dis even when no obvious sign of defect?

4. On d hunch, d plugs are d ones dat came wt d ride. We didn't replace dis it at maiden servicing. Now, hw do we know burst-out plugs? Do we just go ahead & replace it whether it's a suspect or nt?

5. D milage is 180,000 plus.

More observations:
1. When d temp. is already rising, d ride vibrates when d gear is in N position.
2. I usually turn d eng. off when d ride is heated up 2 enable it cool off b4 re-starting. D truth here is dat d eng. does nt start at once again & I may even need 2 depress accelerator a little while kicking 4 d eng. 2 come up. On a normal note, d eng. starts at once.

Pls help o!