Issue In N16 Radiator\gasket

maheshw · May 8, 2014

Guys,

Seeking some assistants to identify an issue having in a Nissan N16 Auto car.

What actually happen was water in extra tank reducing even in a 30-50km drive. Initially we thought it can be due to a leak but we couldn’t find any leak.

We clean the radiator to check this but issue not solve. Replace the radiator cap as well. 1.1 as i can remember.

Heat gauge is in half mark all the time but if run in High RPM it goes to red line.

What can be the issue?

Anything in head gasket? Or can it be a tiny leak in a water line?

How to identify exact?

Is there any way to check leaks in water line? like pressure test ?

Thanks....

pug306xsi · May 8, 2014

Did you check if your water pump is working?

GayanR · May 8, 2014

HI mahesh turn your car heater to maximum heat and start your car with the radiator cap off and see if it's bubbling and reducing coolant(if it's reducing add water)...and also wait till the thermostat opens...when the heat gauge come around middle thermostat should open and throw out coolant out of the radiator...if not you might have a large air pocket in the coolant system or at the worst case a head gasket problem..if you drive it this way you are risking actually blowing the head gasket...

and also check your engine oil dipstick and cap..if the coolant is leaking oil will look like creamy mud..

Edited May 8, 2014 by GayanR

maheshw · May 8, 2014

@ pug306xsi yes. it's working. but any simple method to check?

@ GayanR Bro this is one of my friend car. actually this was told by me one of my friends this car heat option is not working dont know why ?? so we didnt check on that. anw will try this & post..

GayanR · May 8, 2014

On 5/8/2014 at 9:05 AM, maheshw said:
@ pug306xsi yes. it's working. but any simple method to check?
@ GayanR Bro this is one of my friend car. actually this was told by me one of my friends this car heat option is not working dont know why ?? so we didnt check on that. anw will try this & post..

If you turn on the heater and if it's blowing air but not so hot..it means the water pump is not circulating coolant or can be a thermostat...check those too

maheshw · May 8, 2014

Thermostat is working since in cold start its running above 1000rpm & settle down after few minits. yes it's blowing air when switch to hot but not hot air.

GayanR · May 8, 2014

On 5/8/2014 at 10:37 AM, maheshw said:
Thermostat is working since in cold start its running above 1000rpm & settle down after few minits. yes it's blowing air when switch to hot but not hot air.

bro i'm not that competent but you can't say it like that...you can rev as you want..the only thing happen is when the thermostat fails open, it takes a lot of time for the car to get to middle temp...but when it's stuck closed the gauge will continuously rise above the normal temp.....But if you are leaking coolant it's another issue....check the water pump area for any leaks...it may be leaking only when driving...rev the car hard drive a bit back and forth and check the road...but if its overheating still show it to a garage...not blowing hot air might be the switch broken or the pump has failed and leaking somewhere without you noticing it.....

aamarakoon · May 8, 2014

Are the radiator fans working? And fast? I had an issue where one fan ran very slowly. And the heater may not be working if someone has closed the line and looped it thinking it affects the A/C.

maheshw · May 9, 2014

Fans are ok. it seems in this car too some one has closed that heater lines

fookie · May 9, 2014

On 5/8/2014 at 1:14 PM, aamarakoon said:
Are the radiator fans working? And fast? I had an issue where one fan ran very slowly. And the heater may not be working if someone has closed the line and looped it thinking it affects the A/C.

Hi Guys , sorry for hijacking the thread. Why do people close the heater line and loop it ? One of AC mechanics tried to do it in my car but I insisted. Does it have any affect ?

Davy · May 12, 2014

On 5/8/2014 at 10:37 AM, maheshw said:
Thermostat is working since in cold start its running above 1000rpm & settle down after few minits. yes it's blowing air when switch to hot but not hot air.

There is no connection with the cold start RPM and the thermostat operation, so you cannot assume that the thermostat is working just because the car idles at 1000 RPM when cold. For more info with regard to the importance and operation of the thermostat, go through this thread. I'm sure you will find helpful info. there.

Back on the topic, the coolant level going down is probably due to a leak somwhere. Do a visual inspection to see if you can spot any coolant leakage (a leak can be easily spotted if the coolant is the green stuff). If no leak can be found, then it might be leaking into the engine as others have already mentioned.

On 5/9/2014 at 1:20 PM, fookie said:
Hi Guys , sorry for hijacking the thread. Why do people close the heater line and loop it ? One of AC mechanics tried to do it in my car but I insisted. Does it have any affect ?

The main reason as to why the heater is lines are closed off is because a tropical country like ours really does not need heater controls. (Not a good excuse to remove it IMO) One of the main reasons for sealing off the heater lines is following a leak in the heater core (inside the car) where replacing the core is expensive. Closing off the line is a cheap way to get rid of the issue.

LashNeo · May 12, 2014

There's a known issue in the radiator tank of N16's. I just wonder whether you are faced with the same problem.

The plastic radiator tank tends to crack as it ages. Often the crack is very slight and therefore it's a bit harder to find.

Two of my friends who drive N16's faced the same issue and had to replace their radiator tanks to resolve it.

As this is a common issue in this model, most probably you are faced with the same issue.

wolseley · May 12, 2014

On 5/9/2014 at 1:20 PM, fookie said:
Hi Guys , sorry for hijacking the thread. Why do people close the heater line and loop it ? One of AC mechanics tried to do it in my car but I insisted. Does it have any affect ?

Due to ageing the heater starts leaking. Also the insulation deteriorates.

There you have to replace the heater and redo the insulation.

In a country like ours there is no need of a heater unless it is connected to automatic climate control.

So, in older vehicles nothing wrong with closing the water lines to the heater to avoid the hassle of maintaining the heater system..

maheshw · May 12, 2014

and thanks every one for valuable comments.. i dint had much time to check this on weekend. will check on coming holidays & update ....Tc...

maheshw · June 18, 2014

Guys didnt had much time to update on results.... issue was totally fixed after replacing head gasked. did some long trips, some times on high rpm's heat is below half mark...

isssu was leak in gasket..