v6 terrano operating temp

[retep130]

hi guys,first post here. I have just bought a 1993 v6 terrano, its in pretty good nick, no rust, and only 170,000km.

Im sure I will have more questions, but first up is operating temp. I had a quick look over the truck yesterday and noticed that the radiator cap would bypass when I squeezed the water hoses when the engine was cold so I got a new cap which held pressure, but even now the engine still sits at about 1/4 max ( except where I drove around the back streets of my house with the truck in 4wd high it rose a little bit). Where should the gauge be sitting normally?

[lax2wlg]

Congratulations on your recent purchase.

If it is a manual transmission, park it up immediately, empty the gearbox oil, and overfill it with 5.1 litres of API GL4 (specifically) through the gearshifter hole.

If it is an automatic transmission, park it up immediately, remove the factory transmission cooler and lines, install an aftermarket cooler and new lines, and renew fluid.

The V6 ones have a the bigger front diff, CVs and transfer chain, good times.

Re; the temp issue - they say never trust factory gauges...

[retep130]

Ok, once warm the heater works fine and pumps out lots of heat so I think its ok, its just the first car I've owned where the standard temp gauge seems to read low. never trust factory gauges I guess

It is an automatic, not my first choice but there were no v6 manuals around

What is the main reason for fitting an aftermarket transmission cooler? becuase factory one will be clogged or just too small from factory? Can you recommend a new cooler or how much should I be paying for a kit?

[travis2ninja]

The factory cooler is way to small, and one of the main things to kill a automatic transmission is heat. You can buy a decent size one for around $100. Here's one i have been looking at on eBay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/171032562039

[retep130]

ok sweet I will look into it.

I have never done a transmission flush on an auto before. I have done a bit of research so I presume the accepted way to flush a terrano box is to undo the return line from the cooler and direct into a container, then open up the fill port and have someone fill/flush the box as the engine runs until a set amount of fluid has passed through?

[lax2wlg]

Here is a link to the official TSB for the auto trans, according to Nissan the probem is the lines getting clogged up. Most people bypass all the factory stuff to be safe, since the vehicle is probably approaching 20 y/o

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Pathfinder/ ... EANING.pdf

[retep130]

sweet that looks legit, I might try cleaning out the lines with compressed air and see what happens before making a decision to keep the cooler or not. These coolers look like a good option -

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-par ... 615044.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-par ... 615684.htm

[fullthrottle]

now the engine still sits at about 1/4 max ( except where I drove around the back streets of my house with the truck in 4wd high it rose a little bit). Where should the gauge be sitting normally?

Can I confirm that you mean your gauge sits at 1/4 from the Max (hot) position, or just 1/4 from the cold position?

[retep130]

its 1/4 of the maximum, ie appears to be running cold. I would be much more worried if it was the other way around!

[hamboy]

That sounds about right as my old mans v6 sits about the same until you start giving it the jandal up a hill

[fullthrottle]

its 1/4 of the maximum, ie appears to be running cold. I would be much more worried if it was the other way around!

OK, running a little hot is fairly common with the autos and their terrible trans cooler design. Running cold is a little different. Mine also showed on the factory gauge as running cold (but wasn't really) until I replaced the temperature sender.
For peace of mind, run it down to your local auto electrician. They usually have a thermo sensor they can point at the thermostat housing to confirm if your gauge it fairly accurate or not.
If its is running cold as per your gauge reading, then it could be your thermostat jammed open.

[Paulballz]

first thing i would do is check to see thermostat is operating normal, or if there is one at all, cheap easy fix that is most likely the cause of your problems

[churchill]

^ x2 that, defiantly sounds like a thermostat problem.