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Nissan truck overhaets
Sent to Car Experts April 15 10:39 AM

1989 Nissan truck 4 cyl - overheats - radiator hoses are soft - if cold engine is started with radiator cap off, radiator fluid is immediately pushed out.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $5
Answer
April 15 11:07 AM (28 minutes and 33 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
 That can mean a couple of different things. It can mean compression entering the cooling system from a blown head gasket or it can mean the radiator is restricted and the fluid is not flowing through quick enough. You need to do a pressure test on the cooling system to determine if there is any cylinder leakage.
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Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance
Reply
April 15 11:16 AM (9 minutes and 9 seconds later)
         
Reply to Tech501's Post: Why would there be ANY flow in a cold engine? Would not a blown head gasket mean oil in the radiator or radiator fluid in the oil?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
April 15 1:41 PM (2 hours and 24 minutes and 46 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

 There actually shouldn't be flow in a coldengine but if it's backing up, obviously, there is. The thermostat could be stuck open or it may be combustion pressure.

No, you don't need to see oil in the radiator or anywhere else to have a blown head gasket. It can be blown at many different points, the most common is between the cylinder and the cooling jacket. That would put compression into the coolings system. A pressure test on the cooling system with the spark plugs removed will expose that.

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Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance
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