Dane92
X-TRAIL NEWBIE
Date Registered: 04-2021
TOTAL POSTS: 2
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 07 X-trail T30 fluctuating temp gauge after radiator replacement
Hi guys.
So a week ago I had my temp gauge shoot up to max and the engine light came on followed by my car losing power.
Pulled over and saw that there was no coolant in the radiator or overflow tank and that the radiator had hairline cracks in it next to the rad cap and was leaking.
Put 3L of water into the radiator and drove 10 mins back home.
Since then I've replaced the radiator with one from the wreckers, changed the coolant, bled out the air, checked all the hoses and the radiator fans work fine.
I thought that'd be job done.
Not quite.
Now, the temp gauge is fine while I'm doing 60km's and under but as soon as I hit 80km's or above, the temp gauge slowly increases and sits at the notch just below the top. As I decrease speed, the temp gauge also drops.
I did some research and was sold on a sticky/closed thermostat so I replaced that (in the head not the block) and found the old one didn't open after testing it in boiling water. I checked the coolant temp sensor with a multimeter while I was there and it was working fine. I didn't check the wires though.
So I'm now wondering where to go.
My direction is to get the radiator pressure tested and get the engine Co2 tested to make sure it's not anything related to the head gasket.
If both of those come back as fine, I'm thinking water pump / water valve control and thermostat. Or the temp gauge in the dashboard itself may be faulty. Just confused as nothing was an issue before the previous radiator failed.
To summarise, the temp gauge fluctuates only when I'm doing 80km's or above after I've replaced the previous radiator and thermostat. The temp gauge was fine before I replaced the radiator and never fluctuated in this way. It's been bled of air, there's no cracks or leaks in the hoses or radiator or overflow tank. Temp sensor works. Radiator fan works.
Would love some opinions. I've read all over but haven't found to many similar issues. What do you guys think??
*Update: Took it for a pressure test this morning and there's a small leak that seems to be coming from the bottom radiator hose which he said is the original hose (14 years old). Going to replace that and I'll update afterwards.
Update: Replaced the bottom radiator hose and clamps and the issue is still ongoing. Going to continue looking. I'm going to do some research on water control valve thermo and water pump issues and see what I find.
Update #2 - 4/5 - Took it to another mechanic (first one was just for a pressure test) as the bottom rad hose didn't fix the temp gauge issue. This mechanic did a pressure test to check if it was a head gasket issue. It's not. They also replaced the water control valve thermo which still didn't fix it, though it was cooked and needed replacement and was 'part' of the problem anyway. Doesn't look like a water pump issue either as all the hoses are reading correct temps and the hoses weren't hard as a rock indicating no water flow. So now the advice is to change the radiator coolant temp sensor and if that doesn't work get a new radiator... Again. The one I have now that replaced the original one that had cracks is from a wreckers. If the new temp sensor doesn't fix it he reckons it could be a calcium build up in the radiator. Haven't taken it for a spin yet after replacing the temp sensor so I'll update afterwards.
** He also said he's heard of head gasket issues after radiator replacements in these cars... Fingers crossed that won't happen. My car has 290,000 km's on it too.
Update 5/5 - Replaced the coolant temp sensor and the temp gauge is still fluctuating. New radiator I suppose.. Anyone have any thoughts?
7/6 - PROBLEM FIXED. It turned out to be a blocked radiator. I bought it from the wreckers for $100. It was literally 80% blocked when old mate flushed it. Put in a new one and she's good to go. Hope this helps someone.
Last edited by Dane92, 7/Jun/2021, 3:56 pm
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Gold Coast, QLD
Dane. B
X-6026
Nissan 2007 4x4 X-trail T30 ST, 2.5L Petrol, Manual
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1/May/2021, 7:12 am
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