1990 nissan pick up

aaronulrich · 03-25-2009, 08:10 AM

Hey guys i picked up an old 90 pick up. It seems that the last owner may have not take care of it very well. I did a radiator flush and the fluid came looking like coffee. Is this going to hurt my engine or should i not worry. Basicly should i start looking for a new rad? thanks

bradrhale · 03-25-2009, 11:57 AM

maybe not. could be beneficial to have a flush done. all that is is rust that has developed in there over the years. flush the system and start over with brand new fluid. you should be good to go after that unless the level is low due to a leak somewhere.

aaronulrich · 03-26-2009, 04:14 PM

well i gave it a good flush and it seems to be alot better. the fluid is not so coffee color now. although when i shut the engine off the overflow on the res blows out steam and leaks a little fluid, also seems like it boils a little for a few seconds in the reservoir. Normal??

bradrhale · 03-27-2009, 06:52 AM

should never boil. how are you mixing your new coolant??

aaronulrich · 03-27-2009, 02:38 PM

Well its a 50/50 mix. No mixing at all

bradrhale · 03-27-2009, 07:48 PM

this coffee coloring, was it rust colored or an oil mixture?? is the temp reading hot in the cabin or even reading at all??

aaronulrich · 03-27-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradrhale

this coffee coloring, was it rust colored or an oil mixture?? is the temp reading hot in the cabin or even reading at all??

I would have to say it was more of a rust color then and oil. The temp is reading just under the red zone. It gets there soon after i start to drive but never has actuly gone past that point.

bradrhale · 03-27-2009, 08:28 PM

if its under the red zone, than you have a problem. something is not working in the cooling dept. this could be a t stat that is stuck shut or a restrictive radiator. maybe even a bad water pump. drain and catch you fluid. you should be able to reuse it and not waste that money. take the lower radiator hose off and run a water hose down the top of the radiator. if you have good clean flow (lots of water) than you can rule out a radiator problem. next thing to check is the t stat. take it out of the upper radiator hose and inspect it. is it closed?? if so, boil it in some water. if it still does not open, then buy a new thermostat.

aaronulrich · 03-28-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradrhale

if its under the red zone, than you have a problem. something is not working in the cooling dept. this could be a t stat that is stuck shut or a restrictive radiator. maybe even a bad water pump. drain and catch you fluid. you should be able to reuse it and not waste that money. take the lower radiator hose off and run a water hose down the top of the radiator. if you have good clean flow (lots of water) than you can rule out a radiator problem. next thing to check is the t stat. take it out of the upper radiator hose and inspect it. is it closed?? if so, boil it in some water. if it still does not open, then buy a new thermostat.

So i guess what you are saying is that the temp is def not reading correct?
I gave it a good flush twice now and the water does seem to flow out with ease as far as i can tell. Although i did not take the lower hose off instead i just let it drain out the release valve at the bottem of the rad. Well thanks for your help. Im no mechanic but i am trying to learn so any advice is apreaciated. I will keep ya posted.

aaronulrich · 03-28-2009, 03:12 PM

So i replaced my Thermostat and it is still just below the red zone on the dash. Gave it another good flush and everything. So are we looking at a new rad?? Oh and also aparently there was some air in the system.

03-25-2009, 08:10 AM	#1
aaronulrich Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7	1990 nissan pick up Hey guys i picked up an old 90 pick up. It seems that the last owner may have not take care of it very well. I did a radiator flush and the fluid came looking like coffee. Is this going to hurt my engine or should i not worry. Basicly should i start looking for a new rad? thanks

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03-25-2009, 11:57 AM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	maybe not. could be beneficial to have a flush done. all that is is rust that has developed in there over the years. flush the system and start over with brand new fluid. you should be good to go after that unless the level is low due to a leak somewhere.

03-26-2009, 04:14 PM	#3
aaronulrich Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7	well i gave it a good flush and it seems to be alot better. the fluid is not so coffee color now. although when i shut the engine off the overflow on the res blows out steam and leaks a little fluid, also seems like it boils a little for a few seconds in the reservoir. Normal??

03-27-2009, 06:52 AM	#4
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	should never boil. how are you mixing your new coolant??

03-27-2009, 02:38 PM	#5
aaronulrich Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7	Well its a 50/50 mix. No mixing at all

03-27-2009, 07:48 PM	#6
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	this coffee coloring, was it rust colored or an oil mixture?? is the temp reading hot in the cabin or even reading at all??

03-27-2009, 08:28 PM	#8
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	if its under the red zone, than you have a problem. something is not working in the cooling dept. this could be a t stat that is stuck shut or a restrictive radiator. maybe even a bad water pump. drain and catch you fluid. you should be able to reuse it and not waste that money. take the lower radiator hose off and run a water hose down the top of the radiator. if you have good clean flow (lots of water) than you can rule out a radiator problem. next thing to check is the t stat. take it out of the upper radiator hose and inspect it. is it closed?? if so, boil it in some water. if it still does not open, then buy a new thermostat.

03-28-2009, 03:12 PM	#10
aaronulrich Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7	So i replaced my Thermostat and it is still just below the red zone on the dash. Gave it another good flush and everything. So are we looking at a new rad?? Oh and also aparently there was some air in the system.