Title: So...
alloutnissan - May 8, 2009 01:37 AM (GMT)
I was driving today in newington and while sitting in traffic my heat gauge skyrockets and white smoke starts gradually coming from the hood and gets worse and worse until the point where i hear an explosion..when i park it and pop the hood..the top of the radiator is blown apart right by the cap. and the radiator itself is warped. anyone know what the hell happened? and why?
bryan163 - May 8, 2009 01:44 AM (GMT)
sounds like you were low on coolant and water flashed to steam. I've never seen a radiator blow up. The cap my have malfunctioned too and not released the preasure as the temp came up to allow for expansion in the system. better order a new radiator ASAP. let me know if you need any help.
alloutnissan - May 8, 2009 01:56 AM (GMT)
yes the car is already being worked on..i had to have it towed to an autoshop. its a 98...it was so weird, right by the cap on that long skinny cylinder lookin thing made out of hard plastic on the top of the radiator was literally blown up.
Suicidalspd99 - May 9, 2009 02:03 PM (GMT)
Have them put a new thermostat in.
alloutnissan - May 10, 2009 01:17 AM (GMT)
do you think it was the thermostat that caused it to happen?
ProjectNissan6 - May 12, 2009 02:09 PM (GMT)
I had that happen to me once with my Jetta (years ago).. It exploded in pieces JUST like yours...
Make sure they Definately replace the Thermostat as well.. the Thermostat helps regulate the flow of Coolant by translating when the car is heating up (open thermostat) or when its cold (closing thermostat).. It may have contributed but i doubt that's all was wrong. Maybe you haven't had a coolant flush & maintenance & needed one..
Also due to an explosion make sure the hose coming off the radiator isn't shot to shit...
ya know what just have them change that to..
alloutnissan - May 13, 2009 12:48 PM (GMT)
Thank you guys for the advice. Apparently, it was a bad radiator cooling fan so I got a new radiator plus the fan and new hoses..sounds like I'll be needing a new thermostat too.
Suicidalspd99 - May 13, 2009 06:06 PM (GMT)
I would do it. Can you have them do it? If not I can do it for you.
alloutnissan - May 17, 2009 08:45 PM (GMT)
suicidalspd i will let you know..ill be needing money first haha..but ever since this incident happened..i was driving around for a while..and when i parked the car i noticed a little white smoke coming from the engine..this cant be good.