Nissan pickup blown radiator hose

cedquist · Dec 3rd, 2005, 01:09 PM

I have a 95 pickup hardbody, and yesterday I was driving down the interstate and heard a noise. I had no clue what it was, then it went away. Then just a few seconds later, I heard a loud noise, and a few seconds after that I looked down and noticed my temperature gauge was at the top and my battery and brake light came on, then I immediately pulled over. It all happened so fast, I don't remember hearing any knocking, but I also don't know long I was driving while the temp gauge was up that high. And also, I didnt' notice the steam until I was already pulled over. I popped the hood, and it was indeed a busted hose with antifreeze all over the place.

So is there any chance of me coming out of this without having did too much damage? And also, what's the worse case scenario, and about how much am I looking paying to get it repaired. I had it towed to Nissan dealership, and they aren't going to be able to look at it until Monday.

Yontrop · Dec 3rd, 2005, 03:48 PM

As long as you didn't hear any knocking or any other persistent, terrible noises, and/or you didn't run it for a long time while it's hot, you should be fine.

It doesn't sound like you caused any damage.

rps180 · Dec 3rd, 2005, 05:08 PM

Have a block test done to make sure that the head gasket wasn't compromised, and have the cooling system pressure tested. These are very simple things to have done and won't take more than an hour for any competant technician to do. Worst case scenario, you are looking at replacing the engine. Best case, you just need to replace the radiator hose and bleed the coolant. But you should have all the cooling system hoses and radiator checked out (cooling system pressure tester) and replaced if necessary.

cedquist · Dec 4th, 2005, 07:12 PM

Thanks for your input. Everything happened so fast, I think there was any knocking, but I could be wrong. I pray that there wasn't, and that I don't have to replace the engine. With Christmas here, trying to save for a house and pay off college debt, that would be a blow.

Guess I'll find out tomorrow, hopefully... :-/

cedquist · Dec 6th, 2005, 11:09 AM

Update:

Nissan called yesterday. Looks like the radiator actually broke, I guess where the hose connects to it. So they are going to have to put another radiator in there before they can even run the tests. So I get to spend about $300, then still not have a running truck. But they are going to get the new radiator in there and the tests run today. So that's good. But sucks I have to wait a whole other day!

So about how long can one run an overheated engine before the heads warp or whatever. Are we talking minutes. Because if that's the case, I'm 99% percent sure it was less than a minute it was ran overheated.

cedquist · Dec 6th, 2005, 11:33 AM

Update:

Nissan called yesterday. Looks like the radiator actually broke, I guess where the hose connects to it. So they are going to have to put another radiator in there before they can even run the tests. So I get to spend about $300, then still not have a running truck. But they are going to get the new radiator in there and the tests run today. So that's good. But sucks I have to wait a whole other day!

So about how long can one run an overheated engine before the heads warp or whatever. Are we talking minutes. Because if that's the case, I'm 99% percent sure it was less than a minute it was ran overheated.

spat · Dec 7th, 2005, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedquist

Update:

Nissan called yesterday. Looks like the radiator actually broke, I guess where the hose connects to it. So they are going to have to put another radiator in there before they can even run the tests. So I get to spend about $300, then still not have a running truck. But they are going to get the new radiator in there and the tests run today. So that's good. But sucks I have to wait a whole other day!

So about how long can one run an overheated engine before the heads warp or whatever. Are we talking minutes. Because if that's the case, I'm 99% percent sure it was less than a minute it was ran overheated.

Way too many unknowns at this time! best to wait and see what the dealer finds after putting in a new radiator. Could have simply been a faulty cap, but if the gauge actualy got hot more likely a heat issue that could be caused by a 100 possibilties.

cedquist · Dec 7th, 2005, 09:36 AM

The dealer tells me yesterday that the water pump is out, and that's what caused the radiator to bust which in turn caused the hose to bust. So now they have to put on a water pump just to run the compression tests. They said $310 for the water pump which better be parts and labor, and still that seems awfully high. So now, we are at close to $800 now. This is getting out of hand. But I asked him if they will be able to run the compression tests after they get the water pump on, and he said yeah.

Oh I forgot to mention that somehow, I'm missing some belts, that would explain why my air condition isn't working. And also, I'm missing a bolt on my brake caliper. Anyway, I hope to get it back today...

Zilverado · Dec 7th, 2005, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedquist

...They said $310 for the water pump which better be parts and labor, and still that seems awfully high. So now, we are at close to $800 now...

I understand this is getting expensive, but you might even want to consider having the timing belt changed while they're in there (this of course depends on when it was done last). Changing the timing belt requires the removal of the water pump, so it can be expensive on it's own, but since the water pump is already off, it's not a huge additional cost and it avoids you having to do this in the next little while.

Just a thought. Good luck.

cedquist · Dec 7th, 2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zilverado

I understand this is getting expensive, but you might even want to consider having the timing belt changed while they're in there (this of course depends on when it was done last). Changing the timing belt requires the removal of the water pump, so it can be expensive on it's own, but since the water pump is already off, it's not a huge additional cost and it avoids you having to do this in the next little while.

Just a thought. Good luck.

Appreciate it Zilverado! That's funny you mention that because me and my boss were just talking about the timing belt! He has Pathfinder, and I think it's a 95 model. But that's a good idea, and I may have them do that.

cedquist · Dec 7th, 2005, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedquist

Appreciate it Zilverado! That's funny you mention that because me and my boss were just talking about the timing belt! He has Pathfinder, and I think it's a 95 model. But that's a good idea, and I may have them do that.

Upon a little research, doesn't my truck (95 hardbody, KA24E 2.4L) have a timing chain? And if that's the case, shouldn't it be good for the life of the engine?

mightymouse · Dec 7th, 2005, 01:49 PM

Yeah, you got a chain, and they are typically there for the life of the engine. The only problem you may run into eventually is the chain guides getting worn and allowing the chain to "slap" a little, but that's not critical. MY last Nissan was an 87 w/ Z24 motor, went 250K and only had the head gasket replaced.

cedquist · Dec 8th, 2005, 09:30 AM

UPDATE:

HOORAY! I got my truck back yesterday! Dealer wasn't very explicit as to what all they did other than to say they did the compression test and it checked out fine. I was still kinda skeptical about it. But after driving around a lot yesterday evening and driving it a half hour on interstate to work today. It seems to be back to normal. So that is good. Cost a good chunk of change, but I guess it could have been worse.

Thank all you guys for all your input, I'm definitely a lot more knowledgeable about this part of my hb!