I recently noticed that my'97 Maxima SE is getting very hot after I stop driving it. It runs at normal temps, but a half hour or more after turning it off, the hood ishot to the touch and the heat eminating from the engine is obvious.

Could this be something as simple as needing a radiator flush/change? Is there anything else that might be causing this? I'm far from an automotive expert (heck, novice might be a bit strong for me), so I'm really at a bit of a loss here.

Any suggestions/thoughts/help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

It is normal, do not worry about it. There is plenty of heat accumulated under the hoodthat needs to be dissipated. I have amaxima 95for 12 years and always could nottouch the hood after prolonged drives. Just make sureengine is not overheating by monitoring yourtemperature gage, it's arrow on the dashboard shouldalways be close to horizontal after temperature stabilised.