1996 Nissan 240SX Thermostat issues

BRIANS14

MEMBER
1996 NISSAN 240SX
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
180,000 MILES

Hello, Recently the temp gauge in my car started rising and cooling off very frequently (seemed to be everytime I hit the throttle and let off.) I assumed it was the thermostat so I changed it. After changing it I turned on the car with the radiator cap off to bleed the system. I saw no coolant flow through the radiator and soon after my car started to overheat. I determined the thermostat was stuck closed and defective so I returned it and bought a new thermostat made by a different manufacturer. I installed the new thermostat once again, making sure the jiggle valve was upwards and the spring going in towards the engine. Same problem. After some thinking I thought the water pump could possible be failing so I replaced it with a remanufacured one. This again did not fix the problem. I changed the thermostat for the third time and now my car would not reach the average operating temp as if I was not running with a thermostat at all! Im lost. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Brian Cookson

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check and test the coolant temperature sensor might be out of calibration or the guage itself also try bleeding it

Are you actually overheating?

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Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 AT 12:20 AM

BRIANS14

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Not sure. The temp gauge has not worked since I bought the car but I have a aftermarket one installed to the water temp. I no they are not very accurate but I have not gotten around to fixing the stock gauge. Whats the proper way to bleed the system? Ive tried leaving the rad. Cap off while idling the car and I have tried pulling the screw (i assumed the bleeder screw) at the housing for the lower radiator hose. Both times I had no coolant flow as if the thermostat was stuck closed. I will try testing the temp sensor. Thanks for the help!