Q: overheat Infiniti QX4

asked by on July 18, 2016

Yesterday my dad was driving the suv at a shopping mall in slow speed and all of the sudden the car's temperature gauge went from been normal temperature to hot. My dad stop the car and open the hood and we notice that the side of the passenger seat their was a little smoke coming out of a tube near the A/C inside the hood. My dad thinks it is the A/C that is malfunction that cause the vehicle to overheat. Today the corking perfectly and is at normal temperature but their is still a smell of something burning that comes out of the A/C inside the car. What do you think happen? By the way this is an 2001 Infiniti QX4.

My car has 265000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

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

Hi there:

There are several issues that may have caused the vehicle to overheat ranging from a leak in the cooling system, to air bubbles or some other blockage in the coolant lines. In regards to the smoke coming from near the AC, that was most likely the overflow tank and steam caused by the overheat. When radiator coolant gets too hot, it can develop a pretty harsh smell that stays around for a while.

I think you’re best bet is to contact a local mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, so they can inspect your coolant system to diagnose your overheating problem.

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

Diesel truck broke down. No steering or brakes.
I believe that the towing company is correct. Heavy duty trucks get their power brakes hydraulically instead of a vacuum booster like passenger cars. Heavy duty trucks actually get their assist from the power steering pump fluid. So, if your...
Still getting code P0300 after parts change
It sounds as though you have done an almost complete tune-up of the vehicle. However, there may be a few components left to check. A clogged fuel filter can restrict fuel volume causing a lean condition, and set random multiple...
Air suspension problem
This can be the result of many different situations. If the vehicle is sitting very low, one of the air bags may be leaking air. The pump runs on a fused circuit and the pump can short out or a...
I have water and fuel in my oil
This is due to a possible blown head gasket near the number 6 cylinder on the engine. You have aluminum heads and may have a crack in the head. I would recommend having the system checked by a certified technician...
Car made a weird roaring sound this morning when driving at low speeds in light rain.
I would recommend having your suspension checked (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brakes-steering-and-suspension-system-inspection) thoroughly to determine if you have any play in your tie rods (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/tie-rod-end-replacement), ball joints (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ball-joint-front-replacement), wheel bearings (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-bearings-replacement), control arms (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement), etc. This could be the reason that the vehicle jerks...
Car feels like it is going to cut off
Hi, thanks for writing in. I'd be happy to offer my insight. You engine may have carbon build up on the valves and clogged injectors. I recommend having the combustion chambers and injectors cleaned. Once this is done then I...
Temperature gauge does not work - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
You will need to test the computer to scan for data of the temperature sensor to see if the computer is reading the correct temperature as tested externally on the coolant sensor. If the sensor is not accurate then replace...
My 2010 dodge avenger's ac is not cold. why?
The "filter" being referred to is commonly known as the Expansion Valve. It is a small tube with a metal screen between the low pressure and high pressure sides of the air conditioning system. If it gets clogged with debris,...
Can a jeep run and drive without a water pump??
Driving or running the engine without the water pump working to circulate the coolant through the motor will cause the motor to overheat and may damage the engine costing thousands of dollars versus using a tow truck to take the...

Related articles

How to Replace a Radiator Hose
The The radiator hose is an important part of your vehicle’s cooling system. The hose carries the coolant to the radiator, where the fluid is cooled, then back to the engine to keep the vehicle from overheating. This allows your...
How To Keep Your Car From Overheating
Monitoring your coolant level, turning the A/C off in very hot weather, and regular inspections will help you avoid having an overheating car.
How to Troubleshoot Car Overheating Causes
Car overheating can be caused by low coolant, a faulty radiator fans, a broken serpentine belt, or a stuck thermostat. Stop driving an overheated car.