On Monday, April 26, 2021 at 8:36:08 PM UTC-5, rbowman wrote:
On 04/26/2021 04:09 PM, Thomas wrote:
2004 xterra
I never drive up to full pressure heat.
I did so yesterday. Antifreeze steaming out from somewhere, car bucking like it was going to die. Barely made it home. Boiling noise for 30 min, anti all over battery and engine. Thought it was a goner. Started it now, sounds perfect.
Gauge went to top and i shut it off. I did not want to warp anything. Fluid is ok but res is empty. Pulled oil dipstick and it it is just dirty oil, no water.
The new top short hose looks sucked in. Bottom hose looks wet but i did not find a leak. Thermostat? I was smelling anti for months. Outside, never inside.
Suggestions appreciated. 60,000 miles.

Water pump?/

And the dipstick didn't indicate oil being overfull?
First guess would be thermostat. Those were easier and cheaper to replace, at least in the old days.
Shade tree mechanics would change them first then see what happens.