The Nissan Altima was introduced to the United States in 1993. It has developed a reputation for reliability. The Samarins website, which reviews used cars, has noted that leaking coolant is a weakness in the 1993 to 2001 models. Overheating can arise at the most inopportune moment. It is better to spot irregularities in the cooling system before they have time to ruin your day.
The water pump and thermostat hose fittings should be secure. No coolant drops should be under the car. The level in the coolant recovery tank should always be at the full cold level.
A coolant leak may still be occurring even though there is no evidence on the garage floor. If that is the case, the cause may be a cracked head gasket. The coolant will be introduced into the cylinder head in this case.
Front wheel drive autos, such as the Altima, are equipped with an electric radiator fan. Two electric fans are the more common in newer vehicles. The fans should be turning if the car overheats. Sensors in the radiator and the engine block switch the fans on when the coolant reaches a specific temperature. If not, the relays, fan motor and fuses to the fan should be checked.
Inoperative water pumps can cause an engine to overheat. If pump problems exist, check the belt tension. If the tension is weak, tighten the drive belt or have it replaced.
Excessive leaking means the inner seals are bad. Defective bearings make noise and can lead to excessive play in the pulley shaft. The remedy is to replace the water pump.
Plastic air dams are located on the front of new cars and their purpose is to direct air to the radiator and air conditioner condenser at highway speeds. The air dams get damaged by curbs, potholes and collisions with animals.
An overheating engine must be addressed instantly. Bent cylinder heads, cracked head gaskets and or engine replacement can be the result of overheating. They are also expensive problems to fix.
