Q: What could be the problem? Overheating and leaking. 2004 Nissan Sentra

asked by on August 25, 2016

Car is jerking when car is at 2 RPM and water spewing out of radiator, Speedometer going crazy. Car was overheating about two weeks ago and the radiator had a leak, we took it to a shop and the mechanic said that it wasn't really bad enough to fix at that time. Now it is doing this.

My car has 229000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Coolant is leaking Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Car is overheating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there, thanks for writing in about your 2004 Nissan Sentra. Any coolant leaks need to be addressed soon. There isn’t any condition where loss of coolant is okay. Whatever is leaking needs to be repaired. If it is overheating bad enough, there is a variety of symptoms that you will experience. The biggest of which is a blown head gasket, which is very possible in this case. Four cylinder motors are not great at handling overheating conditions. So either the head gasket was the initial cause of the overheating, or you are in danger of creating a blown head gasket. In order to have this addressed, I recommend having a certified technician inspect the overheating issue firsthand to determine what fixes will be necessary.

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


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do you adjust sound on a 2012 Ford Escape radio?
While your car’s audio system was designed to provide high quality sound in the default configuration, you may find that you want to tailor things to your personal tastes, or to the type of music you’re listening to at the...
How does the active park assist system work?
Parallel parking is no fun, even if you’re an experienced veteran. If your car has the active park assist (APA) system, then you’ve got some extra help to make the process easier. This is an automated system that actually scans...
Cable connecting instrument cluster and shift indicator is cut on a 1988 F-150 XLT Lariat
If you cut the cable that goes to the shift indicator, just see where he cut it. All the wires are color-coded so you can replace them together and get them back in. But the reason he cut them is--there's...
Whining noise coming from car
This may be potentially related to a failing alternator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/alternator-replacement) as these are known for making a whining sound when they are beginning to fail. When this happens, you may also notice your battery light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-light-is-on-inspection) to come on or...
Change interior lights and now it won't start.
Hi there. There is a short in the switch to the interior lights (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/courtesy-light-switch-replacement) causing the fuse box to burn fuses and make the car not start up. If you need further assistance with your electrical system, then seek out...
Having problem installing alternator in a 2005 nisson pathfinder. Bolts don't line up.
Hi there. Typically when bolts don't line up when everything else is properly aligned, it's due to the wrong replacement part being used. There are two things I would recommend. First, search online to find the recommended replacement alternator for...
P1071 p0174 p1083 2002 bmw 530i
A number of things may cause codes P0171, P0174 and P1083 to be triggered. As the codes indicate, this means there is a lean fuel condition which may be caused by a lack of fuel supply or in some cases,...
battery light came on while driving; alternator or battery issue
The battery/charging warning light could pertain to the battery, the charging system, wiring faults, or even a loose drive belt that is not properly driving the alternator. The exact circumstances would have to be determined by looking at the car....
Can a camshaft position sensor make my SUV have the code p0300 multiple misfire?
If the camshaft position sensor waveform output is abnormal (as viewed on an automotive scope), that can cause misfiring but such must first be confirmed by actually testing the sensor especially as there are many, many causes of misfiring and,...

Related articles

2007 Nissan Versa vs. 2007 Saturn Ion: Which One Should I Buy?
Compact cars as a class are generally meant to be commuter vehicles: with excellent gas mileage, an entry-level price point, and decent safety ratings for those who are on the road the majority of their time. These cars also make...
What Does the Coolant Temperature Warning Light Mean?
The coolant temperature warning light turns on when your engine is sensed to be too hot and is at risk of damage from overheating.
How to Replace an Oil Filter Housing Gasket on Most Cars
Oil filter housing gaskets fail when the oil light is on, there is oil visibly dripping from the filter, or oil pressure is lower than normal.