AboutBen Deutschman Expertise Questions ONLY related to Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge Slant-Sixes from 1960-1975. You can ask me about Engine Timing, general specifications, do`s and don`ts, and details such as proper installation of `Spark Plugs` on the 1960-74 `Slant-Sixes.`
Experience I own and work on a 1960 plymouth, powered by a 'Slant-Six', have also worked on a 1968 'Slant-Six', a 1975, a 1964, and and 1970 'Slant-Six'
Organizations Ben Deutschman
POCI Legislative Liaison
President Of The NY/NJ Slant-Six Club Of America
http://www.poci.org
http://bencar.freeyellow.com/76TAPage.html
http://bencar.freeyellow.com/benscarpage.html
http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=nynjslant6 (NY/NJ Slant-Six Club Of America Website)
Publications Smoke Signals (Pontiac-Oakland Club International)
Hemmings Motor News
Education/Credentials B.A 'Labor Relations', 'Rutgers University' (Livingston College Campus)
Question QUESTION: I have a 2000 xterra that recently began running hot. I noticed a leak in the upper hose and had that replaced. It ran ok for a day than hot again. Took it back in and they replaced the intake gasket which was leaking. Still ran hot. Today 12/27/07 they replaced the fan clutch. Still runs hot. It will cool back down to normal if you turn the heater all the way up and run the fan on high. This has already cost me $700 in repair costs and I fear "let's try this next" syndrome. Any ideas before I'm in the poor house. The car has 126,000 miles and I really have had no other major problems with it.
ANSWER: While I'm not totally familiar with the Xterra, I would hazard a guess at a bad Head Gasket. If there isn't any Coolant in the Engine Oil, which would turn the Engine Oil a milky white color, then it could be hot Exhaust Gases entering the Cooling System, which may possibly be detected, by passing an Emissions Tester Wand over an open Radiator Cap, while the Engine is running, and has reached a fully warmed up operating condition.
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QUESTION: Hi, they did replace the head gasket and drained and replaced both the engine oil and the coolant. No coolant in the engine oil at this time. I will ask about the exhaust gases. If it is that then what? if it isn't any other ideas. What about the radiator?
Thanks,
Todd
Answer If the Head Gasket was replaced, and unless either the Engine Block, or Head, have a hairline crack in them, or the Head is warped, the only other thing I could think of, would be a defective Thermostat. Even a new one can fail. The problem though with a hairline crack in either the Head, or the Engine Block, is that the process that might accurately detect such a fault (Magna Flux), is very expensive, and requires the part subjected to the process, to be out of the vehicle.
One last thought, would be a clog in the Cooling System, brought on by past neglect, as in not having the System flushed annually. However, I would think that such a thing would have been noticed when the Head was removed to replace the Gasket.
