2016 Nissan Pathfinder - overheating when at a stop

[Number_35]

This my friend's vehicle. It's got around 160K km (100K miles) on it. The powertrain is a V6 (3.5?) with a CVT.

It's fine on the highway, even towing, with the temperature gauge sitting just short of half.

In stop-and-go traffic, the needle on the gauge will rise into the H zone.

I haven't looked at the vehicle, but assume that ambient-temperature air is drawn through the rad by an electric fan (rather than a mechanical one).

Assuming an electric fan, my first thought was that it isn't operating.

However, the owner tells me he can hear the fan operating after he shuts off the vehicle.

I assume there's a 2nd electric fan for the AC, and wonder if that one's running after the engine is turned off. It seems unlikely.

Even more unlikely, I wonder if the coolant mixture is too thick - that is, too much concentrate and not enough water.

It's also possible the temperature gauge is not indicating correctly.

I guess I need to see the vehicle before speculating any further.

Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[snarl]

stuck thermostat
dirty condenser and radiator
bad fan

 

[dishdude]

Probably has 2 electric fans, one might not be working. Fans are the first thing I'd check along with coolant level.

 

[Number_35]

stuck thermostat
dirty condenser and radiator
bad fan

I should have mention, the owner had a trusted garage change the thermostat sometime in the last year.

 

[D60]

I should have mention, the owner had a trusted garage change the thermostat sometime in the last year.

That's not comforting unless we know what the shop used. It's nearly impossible to escape Motorad these days

 

[SC Maintenance]

I should have mention, the owner had a trusted garage change the thermostat sometime in the last year.

Given it works while moving, I too would suspect the fan. If its like most Nissan VQ's it likely has a dual fan and 2 speeds, so just because its turning doesn't necessarily mean everything. An easy check - does the AC temp rise substantially at idle also?

Could also be dirty rad fins.

Since you mentioned the stat. Nissan VQ engines are known to not like aftermarket thermostats. The Thermostat is built into the housing, so you change the whole thing and it seems the aftermarket can't quite get it right. So that might be your issue also.

 

[KrisZ]

You need to see the vehicle.

 

[SHOZ]

I'd loosen up the condenser and blow it out. Probably full of fuzz and seaweed with that many miles on it. The Ford Taurus I had would clog up everything but the area of the actual fans.

And there are usually some sort of filler panel or foam stripping between the condenser and radiator. Make sure that is all there too so all the air is forced through the radiator.

 

[Nukeman7]

I haven't looked at the vehicle, but assume that ambient-temperature air is drawn through the rad by an electric fan (rather than a mechanical one).

Assuming an electric fan, my first thought was that it isn't operating.

However, the owner tells me he can hear the fan operating after he shuts off the vehicle.

I assume there's a 2nd electric fan for the AC, and wonder if that one's running after the engine is turned off. It seems unlikely.

Thoughts? Thanks.

I just changed out the fan assembly on an identical 2013 Pathfinder with the 3.5l V-35 engine last Friday. It is a 60 minute job and 40 of those minutes were spent removing/reinstalling the interferences and battery/tray. The dual fans come as a single unit assembly and is controlled by an electronic module attached w/two 10mm screws on the backside of the fan assembly frame.
I used this Chinese replacement fan from Amazon since the owner did not have funds for a more expensive part. It fit perfectly and works fine.

Here is a decent video that shows the fan replacement process, but you don't need to drain the coolant as shown. You can just pull back the upper radiator hose and bungee cord it in place to gain adequate clearance to access and remove the fan.

 

[GSCJR]

an electric fan, my first thought

This

 

[Hall]

I posted about my VQ having a similar issue. You were actually the 1st person to respond too. In my case, it only occurs in specific circumstances (which I don't run into that often) and it hasn't happened since. I did buy a no-spill coolant funnel but haven't used it yet to see if there's just air in the system.

 

[Escape08]

Could be there is a blockage in the radiator

 

[Number_35]

I posted about my VQ having a similar issue. You were actually the 1st person to respond too. In my case, it only occurs in specific circumstances (which I don't run into that often) and it hasn't happened since. I did buy a no-spill coolant funnel but haven't used it yet to see if there's just air in the system.

Thanks, not being that familiar with Nissans, I didn't make the connection.

So would my friend's 2016 Pathfinder have the same VQ engine?

 

[Hall]

So would my friend's 2016 Pathfinder have the same VQ engine?

It will be very similar but I'm no expert. I have a 2008 G35 and in '08 (maybe '07 for sedans, but not couples - even more confusing), Nissan moved from the VQ35DE to a more powerful and high-RPM-capable variant called VQ35HR. If I'm not mistaken, they kept the DE design for their trucks, SUVs, vans, etc. Based on the rated HP and torque numbers, it's either the DE or a detuned HR (not likely).

As far as the cooling system goes, I'm sure they're very similar.

 

[GSCJR]

It will be very similar but I'm no expert. I have a 2008 G35 and in '08 (maybe '07 for sedans, but not couples - even more confusing), Nissan moved from the VQ35DE to a more powerful and high-RPM-capable variant called VQ35HR. If I'm not mistaken, they kept the DE design for their trucks, SUVs, vans, etc. As far as the cooling system goes, I'm sure they're very similar.

+1

 

[FowVay]

My Nissan dealer stocks those fans so that's sort of an indicator that they're a problem. Nissan P/N 21481-3JA2E is what parts counter attendant told me was the number.

The item listed in Nukeman7's post is a great price. That thing is over $175 on Rockauto. It's Chinese cheap but my local dealer charges $427 for the Nissan part and name brand replacements on R/A are $270.

That Pathfinder is due a cooling system refresh anyway so I'd suggest he do the coolant and install a OEM thermostat when he does the fans. This hot summer has put a high tax on vehicle reliability.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Thanks, not being that familiar with Nissans, I didn't make the connection.

So would my friend's 2016 Pathfinder have the same VQ engine?

All Nissan VQ engines are fairly similar mechanically - aluminum head, aluminum block, DOHC, etc.

DE was the bread and butter version but still lots of variants.

DD is the newer direct injected version - I think your 2016 Pathy might have that? The new Frontiers do

DET - Turbo. DETT twin turbo. HR - High revolution aka high performance. There were some others.

Rock solid platform. Nissan's been making them for like 30 years.

 

[Number_35]

All Nissan VQ engines are fairly similar mechanically - aluminum head, aluminum block, DOHC, etc.

DE was the bread and butter version but still lots of variants.

DD is the newer direct injected version - I think your 2016 Pathy might have that? The new Frontiers do

DET - Turbo. DETT twin turbo. HR - High revolution aka high performance. There were some others.

Rock solid platform. Nissan's been making them for like 30 years.

I'd read somewhere (previous thread here?) that MY2016 was the last of the port-injected version. I hope so, for my friend's sake.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I'd read somewhere (previous thread here?) that MY2016 was the last of the port-injected version. I hope so, for my friend's sake.

Honestly I don't think Nissan has had much problems with their direct injection? The bane of there existence seems to be timing chains and CVT's.

 

[Junk]

Fans on these are junk, we replace them all the time.