2000 xterra, recently in shop for tune up (wires,plugs,cap,rotor), also had belt tensioner replaced and pass side valve cover gasket replaced. began running rough first mechanic couldn't diagnose it. took to Nissan and they replaced distributor. ran great for four days then daughter driving home from work had temp gauge spike, then steam billowing from hood. when vehicle cooled off had her poor water in radiator. small stream of water began pouring from behind crankshaft pulley. replaced water pump and thermostat housing (water outlet?). began filing radiator after repairs and 1 3/4 gallon of fluid later it began leaking in same area. any ideas/help greatly appreciated.
My suggestion would have been to replace the water pump... but you did that.... so that's odd. Usually the water pump seal is the most common fail point. You replaced the short hose attached to the thermostat as well?
are you absolutely sure that it's leaking? it could be residual fluid that is simply finding it's way out. give it some time and see what happens. if you question the gaskets sealing then put some RTV silicone around it. good luck.
Yes, short hose replaced to include the clamps. I replaced the water pump first when replacing the timing belt and then ran out of time. I used gasket sealer on the surface of the water pump, then gasket, then on top of gasket before mounting. It sat for two days (ran out of time) and then replaced water outlet (no gasket) but used thermostat sealer on thermostat housing. While it was leaking I crawled underneath with pen light to detect source and couldn't nor could I tell from top of motor.
Yes definitely still leaking. It started leaking while pouring fluid in radiator then stopped once I replaced radiator cap. That tells me it can't be a big hole/slice/gap. Then i get a message from my daughter that approximately 8-12 hours later it is dripping.
I had this problem where a leak would occur at operating temp where the thermostat housing is. You need to remove the thermo housing because the mechanics did a piss poor job of ensuring it was completely scraped clean of silicone RTV because the xterra requires a good amount of RTV silicone with the gasket to seal that sucker off good and if there was any crap left on then that would leave a baby crack just enough to let it through. Trust me if that is where it is leaking then that is your problem and it is so frustrating. But remove it and scrap down both sides of the thermo hosing and rear thermo housing. And let it sit the full 24 hours that RTV requires don't listen to anyone that says otherwise. I know trust me I know. I replaced the rear thermo housing thinking it was leaking there somewhere but the problem was right in front of me. ? Happy fixing buddy!
Found it. It was the hose behind the water pump and thermostat, I believe connects to or near the intake. It was the L shape hose, had a slice that faced the interior of the motor.
Thanks for all the replies!!
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