My Nissan Pulsar Plus Is overheating, what could it be?

Question

Hi! I love cars, but I'm hopeless as a mechanic. I just bought my first car. A nissan Pulsar Plus (hatchback) 16 valve twin cam. It's overheating very badly! In a 5 min drive it goes from cold to the medium of the heat gauge. And in a 20 -25 min drive it pass a lot the Hot Level. I just bought it 2 days ago. On day 1 it was fine, I didn't drive much at all. on day 2 when I drove it to work 25 min drive, it was raining, and when I stopped the car at work, I saw water vapor coming out of the hood, I was scared and I opened the hood. I thought the engine was hot and it was evaporating the water from the rain. On my way back home, another 25 min drive. It overheated pretty badly! Before I got home it was way over the hot level. And I was running out of petrol too. when I went to turn into my street, I noticed that the power steering stopped working, and I thought: ****, another problem! and than 20 meters after, my engine stalled (it's an automatic, so it scared the **** out of me) and and 3 minutes before this happened I could hear (I thought it was at least) the pistons in engine going up and down the engine like it had no oil in it, like metal hiting against metal). So here was me will the emergency lights on pushing my car for another block (at least it didn't happend in the freeway). I got home, I opened the hood again, let it cool down, it took a good 45 minutes to an hour. The fans were working at the maximum, and It was pretty hot! I threw some water in the engine and it evaporated at the same time. Than I checked the oil level, to see if it was low, because of the piston's noise I heard. the oil was full. So I waited and opened the radiator lid and I put some water in it! I've put 3 shocking liters of water in it! I thought I found my problem. When I had it filled up with water I went to put some petrol in it, So I drove, yeah, I haven't ran out of fuel, was almost on empty, but I don't think I used the fuel reserve. So I filled it up. And next morning when I drove it again for five minutes the heat level reached almost half, and some water vapor came out of the engine again. I might have spilled some water on the engine and radiator before I left home that morning when I was checking for a water or colling fluid liquid. I didn't find any. On the TOP of the engine I found some green liquid, which I belive was colling fluid (this was still at the dealership) but there was no roses running on top of the engine where I found the liquid, so I believe it was spilled when it was last refilled.

So, I have no oil, water or colling fluid leak and my fans are working damm well! What could it be? Rust in the radiator blocking Can u guys please help me? Thanks a lot!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Don't run it any more.

Did you include anti-freeze when you topped up - this is needed to stop corrosion in the engine.

the noise you heard was not the pistons - if it was the engine would have seized solid.

It could have been the water pump which may not be working. If so it is easily fixed. The poer steering and water pump may be driven by the same belt - if the pump seized you would get belt slipping or breaking - check every pulley has a belt.

It could be a sticking thermostat - again easily fixed. 

It could be a blocked hose - you could loosen the bottom hose where it joins the radiatoer and run water through - remember to close off and top up with water/antifreeze mixture.

It could be a problem in the engine management system.


Are you sure there is a connection between running out of fuel and the over-heating - I don't see what connection there could be.

Some ideas but you may have to get the car to a nearby garage.

Good luck.

gemini6kl · Answer

Well my friend one more overheat and you can kiss your engine goodbye, cause driving around with a overheated engine will warp the pistons and other parts inside  of the engine which get really hot.. u should never drive a car with a gauge thats in the red, i suspect you already did some damage hence the sounds u heard. there is a little thermostat in the engine that is suppose to open and close when the engine needs collant to cool it down ,,,on older cars most time it just needs to be replaced if  there is no radiator leak and your fluid levels are fine i suspect this is your problem.  as for the location i dont know each car is different check the car manual.

? · Answer

Nissan Pulsar Hatchback

Anonymous · Answer

Hi
You only bought this car 2 days ago!?  Did you buy it off a dealer I see you mention dealership?  AT this stage If I were you I'd bring it back!  Let them look at it & fix the problem or get your money back!  It sounds as if there was a problem with that car from day 1.  Don't drive this car again!!  Leave it were it is & call the seller/dealer.  The longer you leave it the harder it will be to get your money back/Or repaired.  Get an accessor out to have a look at it & get a written report to give to your dealer.  Sounds as if the head gasket is gone/going.  Or even a mobile mechanic will do, just Dont Drive it!  I hope everything works out good for you!  Best of luck!

Anonymous · Answer

Why Pulsar's are suns that are burning out. What year and is it a 1.5 liter or 1.6 liter engine or the 2.0 engine automatic or stick? how many miles? Last pulsar I saw was many years ago. Cooling starts with a sealed cooling system no leaks. next a good water pump and thermostat that opens up all the way. ANd a radatior that is not plugged up with leaves and tree cottonwood seeds. Mor Info please e-mail me if you have to.

kelly_f_1999 · Answer

type into search box

how to check over heating car
wil give you ideals of what to look at

and just so you know it once a car runs hot your to stop driving it then... it takes about two hours to cool enough to drive after that an dif you dont add coolant or water to it then before you drive it anywhere  dont matter where you are get it off the road and stop driving it call someone or wait for help dont drive it any more cause if you really overheat one once you can damage motor and water is cheap compared to a motor

Anonymous · Answer

you should hope you havent blown a head gasket driving without coolant...
but with overheating...i actually spent like 400+ dollars on my Trans Am trouble shooting for it overheating...turns out it was a stuck thermostat...which controls the coolant flow to the engine

not really a car guy, but i think that i should put my two cents in.

but anyway that thermostat cost me 6 bucks, they threw in the gasket for free, and i had to buy some 3 dollar sealant and some 10 dollar antifreeze....all took about 30 min to fix myself.

20 bucks.felt like crying when my car worked perfectly...not because of the car...because of the pain...in my wallet

Aidan H · Answer

headgasket gone!!!!! YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE A CAR THAT IS BOILING cause if you do you will be looking to buy a new ENGINE........lol

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My Nissan Pulsar Plus Is overheating, what could it be?

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