Nissan Repair: 96 Nissan Maxima Overheating, coolant loss, nissan maxima

Question
The other day out of nowhere, my car began to start jerking every time I tried to speed up, after braking. I'd make it up to about 2 rpm's when it would sort of stall. I let go of the gas pedal and then the car was okay. I was on my way home, when it became more frequent and I decided that the expressway was the best way to go. By this time my temperature gauge was slightly past H. I was speeding up on the accceleration lane when there was a loud POP under my hood and my car began smoking. My temp gauge soared and I turned on the heat which brough it down some. However, my car slowly lost power and no matter how hard I hit the gas it would not speed up, instead it just decreased in speed until it stopped on the shoulder. After my car cooled down, I looked under the hood to see that coolant was all over the radiator and front end of the vehicle. Some people tell me that I have a radiator problem, some tell me that it could be my timing belt, and others tell me that there is a problem with my engine. Please help me! PS-The week before all of this happened, I noticed that my heat didn't work like it used to. Cold air came out instead of heat no matter how high or low I had it.

Answer
Marquita,

You overheated the engine due to coolant loss.  The engine might have sustained damage or the head gaskets might be blown.  From what you describe as the heater not working properly, the week before sounds like the car was running low on coolant.  I would first fill the car up with water to find the source of the leak.  You probably lost a hose or the radiator might have sprung a leak.  Check the engine oil to see if it looks like creamed coffee.  If it does you have sustained engine or headgasket damage and you will need to take the car to get the heads done and the headgaskets and related gaskets replaced.  When I say heads done I mean that they will check them for cracks and if they are good they will probably mill them to get them straight again.  If there is no water in the oil I would then repair or replace the hose or leaking part.  I would also get a new Nissan thermostat and replace it before I filled the car with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water.  Now, you get ot find out if the engine has been damaged.  Basically, you are going to run the car up to operating temperature and take it back home and check the antifreeze, after the car cools off to see if it needs topping off.  If you have no problems in a few days you should be fine.  Remember, to never let an engine run hot for any amount of time.  If the car gets hot and turning the heater on does not do the trick pull over and let it cool off.  This is especially important with the aluminum heads the manufacturers use these days.