Question about xterra AC?

svneo · Aug 6th, 2003, 03:30 PM

I notice that when my 2003 Xterra is idling, the AC gets a lot warmer. Especially noticeable in traffic and stop lights. THen it gets colder again when I start driving. My '97 pathfinder does not seem to have this problem. Has anyone else noticed this? Or is it just me.

Sentra Styling · Aug 6th, 2003, 05:05 PM

Your not going crazy my 02 does the same damn thing...Why??? I have no idea...

jadcock · Aug 6th, 2003, 06:13 PM

My '95 Hardbody does the same thing, though it's barely noticeable. It's most likely due to much reduced airflow across the A/C condensor (the radiator-like thing IN FRONT of your actual radiator) and it doesn't perform as efficiently as it would with lots of airflow...much like the radiator does.

This shouldn't be anything to worry about. This is why TFWD vehicles rarely have this problem (at least none that I've driven)...because the electric fans are usually on constantly with the operation of the A/C.

svneo · Aug 8th, 2003, 02:01 PM

Is this something that shouldn't happen? I imagine people who live in big cities would hate sitting around in traffic if their ac wasn't working well. Is it something Nissan could fix by replacing with a different part?

jadcock · Aug 8th, 2003, 04:33 PM

Well, if it's really that noticeable to you, you may be low on refrigerant. It shouldn't make that much of a difference, stopped in traffic or moving. If you put a thermometer in the vents and measured the temperature difference, yeah you'd see some, but it shouldn't be to the point of making you uncomfortable. Ask to see the service manual on your vehicle -- it will (should) list the proper temperature-at-the-vent readings for the A/C system (eg. 50*F at idle, fan on low).

If you have a manifold set, check the pressures on your A/C system. You may simply be low. I just re-read the whole thread and you have an '03, which should be under warranty. Go in and have them fix it.

2000SE · Aug 10th, 2003, 10:14 AM

Move further north.

I top off my ACs every year in every car that I have. It beats waiting for the AC to fail to try to fix it.

But, a 2003 shouldn't have problems. The Xterra is too huge internally to cool with the pathetic AC that Nissan put in it.

Some X's have electric pusher fans that assist and improve AC performance. Others didn't. If you don't have one, maybe you can install one that cycles with the AC or with a dash switch.

Is there HEAT blocking tint available?