Replacing Thermostat 96 nissan sentra

trav6612 · Nov 17th, 2004, 10:55 AM

I am having a problem with my heat, I think it is the thermostat. The heater won't blow hot air and when I am driving it will sit at about normal heat and then all of a sudden it will heat up. Any ideas and if so how hard is it to get to the thermostat to replace?

Sethticlees · Nov 17th, 2004, 10:08 PM

If it's the 2.0L its in the front.

1.6L its a PITA.
It on the passenger side just above the water pump. Basicly behing the engine and under a lot of hoses and junk. Hope you have small hands.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trav6612

I am having a problem with my heat, I think it is the thermostat. The heater won't blow hot air and when I am driving it will sit at about normal heat and then all of a sudden it will heat up. Any ideas and if so how hard is it to get to the thermostat to replace?

sentra2nr · Nov 17th, 2004, 10:13 PM

there is a sensor right above it on the back side of the engine, it is almost more convienient to just take the intake manifold off to do it. dude is right it is a PITA. I think it is some kind of intake air sensor, and if you damage that connection, the car makes all kinds of funny noises when you step on the gas. That sensor if not in place makes the whole car lope whenthe accelerator is depressed.

**wes** · Nov 18th, 2004, 09:31 PM

Sounds more like a head gasket leak than anything else. If the stat was stuck open it would not get up to temp. if it was stuck closed it would overheat and it would not stop at normal temp.

I would try bleeding the coolant system per the FSM, it will solve the problem once you get the airlock out of the heater core. If it is a head gasket leak it will air lock the system again and will do the same thing. How long it takes to air lock again is dependant on how bad the head gasket leak is.