Q: The temperature gauge goes above middle too hot
At times when I'm driving the temperature gauge goes from the middle too hot and it's not overheating or water is not coming out of the bottom of the engine but what is the problem could be having
My car has 228590 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Recommended Services
| Water Pump Replacement | $187.27 - $1236.57 | Get a Quote |
| Car is overheating Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
If the gauge is moving into "hot" territory, then the car is overheating. You will not necessarily leak water during an overheat. Overheating can be the result of a couple of different failures. I will start with the easiest to check for / most common and move into the more difficult / less common.
- Check the coolant level in the radiator. DO NOT REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP UNTIL THE CAR IS COMPLETELY COOL. If the coolant is not full, this can cause an overheat.
- If the radiator is full, check to make sure the fans are turning on. Pop the hood and let the car run until it reaches operating temperature. Keep the radio off and keep your ears open for the sound of the fan triggering on and off. If the fan is not triggering, then you may have a bad relay. If you notice the gauge moving up and no fans are spinning, then turn the car off.
- Sometimes the water pump isn’t working. This is more rare, but I’ve seen it happen. Usually, this is due to the water pump belt breaking or being exceptionally loose. However, water pumps do fail internally sometimes. If the impeller isn’t turning, the coolant isn’t circulating and that will cause an overheat.
With 228590 miles, it could be any of the above problems. If you need help with this, a qualified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the overheating issue and assist with the appropriate repairs.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
How does the Battery Saver system work?
Your car’s lights pull power from the battery. If left on too long, they could drain the battery completely, leaving you stuck and in need of a jump start. Thankfully, your Fusion is equipped with a Battery Saver system designed...
Front wheel thumping
It could be from the bearing, or from a tire with a bubble or tread separation. I recommend having a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, run a diagnostic on the source of the noise (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-making-a-noise-inspection) in order to identify...
Car ran hot pull over turned it off and it won't start please help
If you ran your car hot then you may have blown a head gasket and lost compression in some of the cylinders of the engine. You will need to have a compression test done to pinpoint the issue. A cooling...
Car no longer stays on with revving after starting
Hey there, thanks for writing in. Have a mechanic check fuel supply under these circumstances: adequate fuel pressure (fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) operation, clogged fuel filter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-filter-replacement), fuel pump relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-relay-replacement) and fuses (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuse-replacement), etc.). It also sounds like your battery...
the high speed of coolant fan doesn't turn on when the engine overheats
Hi there. The high speed cooling fan is usually controlled by a spectate thermal switch, so it's possible that this thermal switch has failed. However, you should try as hard you can to obtain the correct ECU for this car,...
Antifreeze leak
The cooling system that is leaking and over 13 years old could be most any component in the system. The cooling system will need to be pressure tested to locate the leaks in the system. The radiators and expansion tanks...
My 1994 nisan maxima was running fine when it was parked 2 yrs ago now its missing I even put new plugs and wires on it still my
If the car has sat parked for 2 years with fuel left in the fuel rail and gas tank, be sure the fuel tank is thoroughly emptied BEFORE you add fresh gas. The injectors are probably plugged with varnish and...
I just had a new alternator belt put in now I here a very loud rattling nose , what could it be? It gets louder when I excelerat
Hi there. If this happened right after the belt was installed then it probably has something to do with that installation. However, there is the possibility of a simple coincidence; things can happen and parts do fail. I would have...
Engine runs but the car does not move.
Check the transmission fluid level and see if its low. If the fluid is full and red in color, then the transmission is slipping. You can try flushing the transmission fluid and changing the filter. If that does not have...
Related articles
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Nissan Titan
With With the 2012 Titan, Nissan continues its march into domestic territory. This model lives up to its name, but it’s also quite impressive inside as well. Even if you are in the market and wouldn’t normally consider a truck,...
How to Get Nissan Dealership Certified
Nissan dealerships offer auto technician jobs to those certified through Nissan’s Service Career Opportunities for Professional Enhancement program.
How to Replace a Water Pump Belt
A water pump belt fails when the belt frays, cracks, or there is a burning rubber smell or squealing noise coming from the engine.
Browse other content
Services
Maintenance