1996 Nissan Sentra Engine temp. Guage fluctuates between no

Tiny
SCOLLIER
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 235,000 MILES
I recently (like yesterday) had my radiator cap replaced because the old one was defective and boiling coolant out the top. Everything was fine until a couple hours ago, when I noticed my temp guage going from about halfway between cool and hot to almost all the way to the top. In about 15-20 seconds, it would go back down again, only to go back up in another minute or two and repeat the whole process. I've owned this car since 1997 and never had engine cooling problems until now. Any idea what could be causing this?
Thursday, February 19th, 2009 AT 7:53 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Replace the thermostat and see what happens if it continues come on back. Or get it block and pressure tested.
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Thursday, February 19th, 2009 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
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Another thing I noticed after I posted this is that the car was way low on coolant. I put some more in and it stabilized for a while, but then started fluctuating again after I drove a few miles. I'm taking it into the shop in the morning, but it's really starting to look like the head gasket is blown, which I was hoping wasn't the case.
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Thursday, February 19th, 2009 AT 11:25 PM
Tiny
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When you get it block and pressure tested then you'll know whether its a blown headgasket, cracked head or block.
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Friday, February 20th, 2009 AT 12:42 AM

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