Newbie from New zealand

Panser · 16-09-2011, 10:32

Good day to all.
Got myself a Nissan mistral 1996 114k on clock, two weeks ago. It goes well but a couple of small "niggles".
Two days after purchase the alternator packed up, new diode plate and new rotor $280 later its going again.
Heat gauge runs quite hot 3/4 but not overheating, flushed the radiator and checked for leaks. temp comes down when idling for a couple of minutes. No bubles in the water and oil isnt coloured white so i assume the head gasket is OK. I am not a mechanic, but no slouch around the toolbox. On the thermostat housing there are three sensors one is broken off but i have no idea why there are so many.
Theory about the high running temp is the big spotlights on bullbar might be obstructing airflow.
Sunroof seems to leak aswell a lot of water in footwell and also the hoodlining above the pillar on drivers side.

your input will be apreciated

Thank you

briggie · 16-09-2011, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panser

Good day to all.
Got myself a Nissan mistral 1996 114k on clock, two weeks ago. It goes well but a couple of small "niggles".
Two days after purchase the alternator packed up, new diode plate and new rotor $280 later its going again.
Heat gauge runs quite hot 3/4 but not overheating, flushed the radiator and checked for leaks. temp comes down when idling for a couple of minutes. No bubles in the water and oil isnt coloured white so i assume the head gasket is OK. I am not a mechanic, but no slouch around the toolbox. On the thermostat housing there are three sensors one is broken off but i have no idea why there are so many.
Theory about the high running temp is the big spotlights on bullbar might be obstructing airflow.
Sunroof seems to leak aswell a lot of water in footwell and also the hoodlining above the pillar on drivers side.

your input will be apreciated

Thank you

welcome

,.. check the expansion tank with a torch for little bubbles , check thermostat housing for leaks , check viscous fan is operating ok , check radiator isnt blocked /holed ..... few things to be going on with for now

rustic · 16-09-2011, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panser

On the thermostat housing there are three sensors one is broken off but i have no idea why there are so many.

Hi and welcome to the club, My Maverick (Terrano in disguise) also has 3 temperature sensors so I assume the Mistral will be the same.

Temperature sensors.
The one at the front is called EGR and links into the control unit.
The middle one is for the temperature gauge in the cab.
The one at the back is for the Glow plug timer, if the engine is warm, the glow plugs don't come on for so long.

Hope this helps.
Regarding the other issues there are many topics in the forum.

Best regards, Rustic

jims-terrano · 16-09-2011, 13:50

Welcome aboard

Checks as above for cooling system but might also be worth changing thermostat as this may be sticking. These motors are known for running cool.

As for the leak from sunrrof. Open the two front doors and look below the bottom hinge behind the wing. This crevis gets filled with muck so give it a good hose out as the sunroof drains in these areas.
Open sunroof all the way to reveal the drain holes. I used thick strimmer (bush cutter) cord and pushed down the drains until they appear under the front wheel arch. Get a jug of water and gently pour down the holes to ensure water drains away. It's also possible you may have to release head lining to gain access to check the plastic hoses are connected to the drains too.
After doing all this my leak turned out to be the rubber seal around the glass it's self. I got some black automotive sealer and lifted the edge of the seal and ran a bead of sealer around the rubber.

Jim

rustic · 16-09-2011, 15:09

The water pumps on these eventually go, and sometimes the viscous fan which is attached, fails to engage when it is hot, so doesn't cool the radiator.

There was a good thread on this aspect recently.

What coolant do you have in, as in the UK we use antifreeze all year round, and this has a higher boiling point too. ?

Best regards, Rustic

Panser · 17-09-2011, 10:21

After a good drive back from the beach tonight (no fish were harmed in this exersise cos I didn't catch anything not even a bloody bite)
I opend the hood and had a look into the reservoir for bubble's. NOTHING

.
I removed the radiator cap and expected the contents to be under pressure but nothing it just came off without any problem.
The hose from the thermostat side was hot but not exsessive.
The hose coming from the bottom of the radiator was quite cool.
During all this the temp meter was still showing 3/4 on the hot side.
now i am BAFFLED.
Please oh wise one's part with your wisdom.

briggie · 17-09-2011, 15:34

is your viscous fan working ? ..... wires to temp sensor on bottom rad hose damaged ? , try cleaning the sensor plug too , another few ideas for now to keep you busy lol

solarman216 · 17-09-2011, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panser

The hose from the thermostat side was hot but not exsessive.
The hose coming from the bottom of the radiator was quite cool.
During all this the temp meter was still showing 3/4 on the hot side.
now i am BAFFLED.
Please oh wise one's part with your wisdom.

sounds to me like your gauge is just reading high, probably the sender unit, Rick

paulp · 17-09-2011, 22:32

the fins on the water pump can erode away and the not cool effectively

May well be worth a check.

ps do u know where the gearbox(transmission control module is )

paulp

rustic · 17-09-2011, 22:40

Find a way of accuratly measuring the water temperature, some multi meters have a thermocouple input and this will tell you if there is a problem.

Some thermostats are 88 degree C, so the area around the thermostat should never be much above this.

It doesn't sound as though you have a problem.
As said earlier, it could be a faulty sender.

Cheap enough to replace...
On the TD it is the middle one of the 3.

Dynamics · 17-09-2011, 23:30

Hello and welcome.

R1cho · 18-09-2011, 08:50

welcome aboard, very friendly lot here with loads of helpfull advice

Panser · 20-09-2011, 05:34

Sunroof leak has been solved. Pipe that conncts to drain pulled off and the water ran directly onto hoodlining. Pulled it all apart, connected the pipe back and tied it in place.

Thank you for all your advice so far.

16-09-2011, 10:32	#1
Panser Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Zealand Vehicle: Nissan Mistral Posts: 3	Newbie from New zealand Good day to all. Got myself a Nissan mistral 1996 114k on clock, two weeks ago. It goes well but a couple of small "niggles". Two days after purchase the alternator packed up, new diode plate and new rotor $280 later its going again. Heat gauge runs quite hot 3/4 but not overheating, flushed the radiator and checked for leaks. temp comes down when idling for a couple of minutes. No bubles in the water and oil isnt coloured white so i assume the head gasket is OK. I am not a mechanic, but no slouch around the toolbox. On the thermostat housing there are three sensors one is broken off but i have no idea why there are so many. Theory about the high running temp is the big spotlights on bullbar might be obstructing airflow. Sunroof seems to leak aswell a lot of water in footwell and also the hoodlining above the pillar on drivers side. your input will be apreciated Thank you

16-09-2011, 15:09	#5
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	The water pumps on these eventually go, and sometimes the viscous fan which is attached, fails to engage when it is hot, so doesn't cool the radiator. There was a good thread on this aspect recently. What coolant do you have in, as in the UK we use antifreeze all year round, and this has a higher boiling point too. ? Best regards, Rustic __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

17-09-2011, 10:21	#6
Panser Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Zealand Vehicle: Nissan Mistral Posts: 3	Thank you for all the feedback. After a good drive back from the beach tonight (no fish were harmed in this exersise cos I didn't catch anything not even a bloody bite) I opend the hood and had a look into the reservoir for bubble's. NOTHING . I removed the radiator cap and expected the contents to be under pressure but nothing it just came off without any problem. The hose from the thermostat side was hot but not exsessive. The hose coming from the bottom of the radiator was quite cool. During all this the temp meter was still showing 3/4 on the hot side. now i am BAFFLED. Please oh wise one's part with your wisdom.

17-09-2011, 22:32	#9
paulp Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: essex Vehicle: nissan mistral 27td Posts: 1,043	tempreture the fins on the water pump can erode away and the not cool effectively May well be worth a check. ps do u know where the gearbox(transmission control module is ) paulp

17-09-2011, 22:40	#10
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	Find a way of accuratly measuring the water temperature, some multi meters have a thermocouple input and this will tell you if there is a problem. Some thermostats are 88 degree C, so the area around the thermostat should never be much above this. It doesn't sound as though you have a problem. As said earlier, it could be a faulty sender. Cheap enough to replace... On the TD it is the middle one of the 3. __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

16-09-2011, 13:50	#4
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Welcome aboard Checks as above for cooling system but might also be worth changing thermostat as this may be sticking. These motors are known for running cool. As for the leak from sunrrof. Open the two front doors and look below the bottom hinge behind the wing. This crevis gets filled with muck so give it a good hose out as the sunroof drains in these areas. Open sunroof all the way to reveal the drain holes. I used thick strimmer (bush cutter) cord and pushed down the drains until they appear under the front wheel arch. Get a jug of water and gently pour down the holes to ensure water drains away. It's also possible you may have to release head lining to gain access to check the plastic hoses are connected to the drains too. After doing all this my leak turned out to be the rubber seal around the glass it's self. I got some black automotive sealer and lifted the edge of the seal and ran a bead of sealer around the rubber. Jim

17-09-2011, 15:34	#7
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	is your viscous fan working ? ..... wires to temp sensor on bottom rad hose damaged ? , try cleaning the sensor plug too , another few ideas for now to keep you busy lol

17-09-2011, 23:30	#11
Dynamics Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Nelson's County Vehicle: TERRANO SWB 2.4 Petrol Posts: 568	Hello and welcome.

18-09-2011, 08:50	#12
R1cho Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wales Vehicle: 1997 LandCruiser Colorado Posts: 4,201	welcome aboard, very friendly lot here with loads of helpfull advice

20-09-2011, 05:34	#13
Panser Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Zealand Vehicle: Nissan Mistral Posts: 3	Sunroof leak has been solved. Pipe that conncts to drain pulled off and the water ran directly onto hoodlining. Pulled it all apart, connected the pipe back and tied it in place. Thank you for all your advice so far.