engine coolant temperature gauge fluctuation?

The Gas and Diesel Engines - VQ40De, VK56DE, YD25DDTi, V9X, Transmission, Transfer Case, Oil, Differentials, Axles, Exhaust...

Moderator: volvite

User avatar
skywhr
Posts: 101
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:38 am
Location: East Coast, USA

engine coolant temperature gauge fluctuation?

Postby skywhr » Sat Jan 10, 2015 6:08 am

Engine coolant temperature gauge fluctuates from regular to almost maximum then back to regular while driving...? :shock:


User avatar
eieio
Sponsored Member
Posts: 1841
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:42 am
Location: Prescott, Az.

Re: engine coolant temperature gauge fluctuation?

Postby eieio » Sat Jan 10, 2015 8:50 am

skywhr wrote:Engine coolant temperature gauge fluctuates from regular to almost maximum then back to regular while driving...? :shock:
check the temp sensor sending unit

User avatar
skywhr
Posts: 101
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:38 am
Location: East Coast, USA

Postby skywhr » Sat Jan 10, 2015 10:40 am

Is the sensor easily found and replaced?

User avatar
eieio
Sponsored Member
Posts: 1841
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:42 am
Location: Prescott, Az.

Postby eieio » Sat Jan 10, 2015 11:11 am

skywhr wrote:Is the sensor easily found and replaced?
I don't personally know, but the info should be in our "on-board" service manual:

http://www.thenissanpath.com/filelib/R5 ... ce/fwd.pdf

User avatar
smj999smj
Site Admin
Posts: 6060
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 pm
Location: Prospect, VA

Postby smj999smj » Sat Jan 10, 2015 11:55 am

On VQ engines, it should be in the coolant transfer pipe at the back of the engine. You'll have to look behind the engine from the top to see it.

User avatar
skywhr
Posts: 101
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:38 am
Location: East Coast, USA

Postby skywhr » Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:20 am

It appears that I have a leak in my radiator somewhere... :evil:

User avatar
eieio
Sponsored Member
Posts: 1841
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:42 am
Location: Prescott, Az.

Postby eieio » Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:37 am

skywhr wrote:It appears that I have a leak in my radiator somewhere... :evil:
is your coolant level low?
any visible leaks?
if yes and no, better start checking into the possibility of coolant contamination of the transmission fluid

User avatar
skywhr
Posts: 101
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:38 am
Location: East Coast, USA

Postby skywhr » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:33 am

There is antifreeze on the driveway and drips on the bottom of the radiator. I drained the radiator and it doesn't appear to be contaminated. So either a small leak in radiator or the cap?

The radiator is impossible to remove!!!

User avatar
eieio
Sponsored Member
Posts: 1841
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:42 am
Location: Prescott, Az.

Postby eieio » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:40 am

skywhr wrote:There is antifreeze on the driveway and drips on the bottom of the radiator. I drained the radiator and it doesn't appear to be contaminated. So either a small leak in radiator or the cap?

The radiator is impossible to remove!!!
be sure to check the transmission fluid for contamination
coolant may leak into the trans fluid without showing any contamination of the coolant still in the system
some have experienced external leaks from the radiator
this should not be hard to spot
the radiator is certainly possible to remove, but it is rather buried
if you do some searches in this Forum, you will find the procedure

User avatar
skywhr
Posts: 101
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:38 am
Location: East Coast, USA

Postby skywhr » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:45 am

Transmission fluid is nice and red.

Radiator is super frustrating.... I will try to find the procedure

I've removed all the brackets and bolts but the ac condenser and radiator are still trying to come out together...

User avatar
eieio
Sponsored Member
Posts: 1841
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:42 am
Location: Prescott, Az.

Postby eieio » Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:18 am

skywhr wrote:Transmission fluid is nice and red.

Radiator is super frustrating.... I will try to find the procedure

I've removed all the brackets and bolts but the ac condenser and radiator are still trying to come out together...
this should help..........
http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic. ... f874368c41

User avatar
skywhr
Posts: 101
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:38 am
Location: East Coast, USA

Postby skywhr » Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:41 am

It's out. Picking up new radiator now

User avatar
skywhr
Posts: 101
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:38 am
Location: East Coast, USA

Postby skywhr » Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:03 am

Now does anyone know how much transmission fluid I need to add?

User avatar
disallow
Site Admin
Posts: 2820
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:02 am
Location: Winnipeg, Canada

Postby disallow » Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:28 am

shouldn't be more than a quart.

User avatar
smj999smj
Site Admin
Posts: 6060
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 pm
Location: Prospect, VA

Postby smj999smj » Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:00 pm

If you are just topping off the fluid, it should be less than a quart. If you are draining and filling the transmission, it will be about a gallon. Make sure the ATF you use is recommended for Nissan-matic "S" or "J" applications. Castrol Multi-import ATF is the same thing as Nissan Type "J." I get a gallon jug of Valvoline Max-life ATF when I service mine.


Return to “R51 Engine, Driveline and Powertrain”