Overheating 28ti

[gramgramfirey]

Only purchased the vehicle a couple of months ago, and had no problems at all with over heating. Top expansion tank where the overflow pipe connects broke off.
I tried reattaching but unsuccessful.
Obviously this has caused the radiator to be low on coolant as the fliud can`t make its way to and from the radiator.
Reading here on some of the forums, i see that it is a good idea to change the cap at the same time.
I believe it is a standard radiator. Has any one replaced theirs with a 3 row and was it easy to fit?
I ask because there is not a lot of space near the MAF and wiper washer tank.
A new upper tank from Nissan is $209 inc tax...
Any other thoughts would be much appreciated.

[P4trol]

Why not do the hoses and thermostat (and water pump maybe) and belts at the same time? Peace of mind, and you can also check the harmonic balancer bolt tension at the same time. The timing belt can also be fully inspected at this point.

The usual stuff also, replacing all fluids (oil/diffs/transfer case /brakes/clutch/gearbox) regardless of what the seller says (to some, a service consists of checking the window washer fluid. A full service is actually topping it up).

[gramgramfirey]

Shall i rebuild the gearbox and transfer case at the same time?
With all due respect i thought it a good idea to do small fixes at a time otherwise how do you know what the problem was in the first place.

[threedogs]

Summer is upon us best get it sorted not patched

[P4trol]

Sorry, they were tips for general maintenance, as the vehicle is new to your garage, an unknown as far as some maintenance.

Reread your post, but can you explain again at what point it started overheating.

[gramgramfirey]

After the overflow tank pipe broke off.

[P4trol]

Ta. When you filled it again, did you approach it as if you were refilling the radiator ie bleeding the air out? Depends how much water was missing.

I had troubles with water going to the overflow tank, but not coming back. Solved with new hoses (and probably more likely) tightening up the hose clamps. The top radiator hose clamp was changed from the thin stainless to the wide stainless steel, which are also extra round.

I found bleeding fairly easy compared to comments on here. Main points was the small rubber condom against the firewall under the intercooler. Take it off until coolant comes out, then put it back on. Secondly put the front wheels on stands or wheels on blocks of wood/ramps, so the radiator is highest.

Get a 1.25 or 2L soft drink bottle and cut the bottom off. Wrap biseal /self amalgamating tape (or anything else that does the job) so the mouth of the bottle fits snugly in the radiator opening. An upside down funnel of sorts.

Then bleed as per the manual. Keep topping up via funnel. Heater full on at first, then several random positions of heat. Let vehicle warm up, slowly increase to 2000rpm,then back to idle. X3 times, then let cool, topping up funnel as necessary. Do this several times, squeezing top/bottom radiator hoses to expel any air.

May as well drain the coolant and put new stuff in, for the effort.

[gramgramfirey]

Thanks for the info, but pulled out radiator, cleaned, reinstalled. topped up cooling system, ran to normal temp, guess what bottom tank has a slow leak...had to be a reason.
PS replaced entire expansion tank before.