FMohlmann

Hi all,

I have a 1988 Pathfinder with the 3.0 engine on it. I replaced the thermostat ( the new one said 170 degree F, is that standard ?) Anyway the heater does not really heat the cabin. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this or are Pathfinder heaters just plain weak ?

all the controls seem to work, the fan blows well. When it is completely warmed up and I feel the heater hoses going thru the firewall, they don't seem hot at all. Is there some kind of valve that controls hot water flow ?

thanks for any help

SPEEDO

the heater control valve may not be opening all the way or your heater core might be blocked, I dont know if you have seen a core but their like a little radiator and the fins can get clogged, might check that out

aaronford

Is there a vent on the 3.0? My KA has a vent that needs to be opened to allow air pockets to escape.

__________________
Aaron Ford
95 2WD Nissan PU E
2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue GX
"The hard part about playing chicken is knowing when to flinch" Scott Glenn in The Hunt for Red October

veesix

I have been noticing the same thing with my 88" KingCab. Although I did not change the thermostat.

I have been chalking it up to the extreme cold weather.

veesix

jerryp58

I have no idea what the standard is for the Nissan, but most vehicles like to run at around 190*.

I know when I put a 160* in my Geo, the heater was affected (it blew a good bit cooler).

Did you notice a difference in where your temperature gauge needle sits now? Again, in my Geo, it made a big difference on the gauge (185* was stock for that vehicle).

Does it take longer for the needle to rise to a steady level?

You could try the trucker's approach and tape a piece of cardboard to the front to block some of the airflow to the radiator and see what affect that has (keep an eye on the temp gauge).

Just some thoughts.

__________________

Jerry
2004 Frontier, King Cab, XE, 4x1, 4-cyl, 5-spd

FMohlmann

Answers to suggestions:

is there a vent?
ANS: yes there is and I have opened it and made sure all the air was out

thermostat temp question:
AND:the new one I bought said it was OEM at 170 degrees, I would love to get one that was 195 or so, where would I get such a thing ?

Heater valve not opening:
ANS: I haven't checked it, don't know how to but would like to


thanks for all you input !

Pathfinder/Starfire

i have an 1987 pathy that had the same problem. if you have the slide control on the dash that controls it from cold to hot instead of just a button,you will probably find that the cable that is attached to the back of the slide control has come loose and not opening and closing the valve that it is attached to at the other end of the cable. a clip is what holds the cable tube steady for operation and it is very common for these clips to come loose and in some circumstances fall off!!. then the cable just flops everywhere when you go to change it from hot to cold and it wont open or close the valve!!!.....there should be a clip at either end of the cable tube...make sure these are in place.. and to make sure they dont come loose again..put a cable tie around them....that fixed mine with no more problems with it ever again!!!.......you will notice other cables behind the controls as well...these are for operating the vent and such....do the same to these aswell. they also come loose........hope this helps you!!

FMohlmann

thanks for the info. How do I get at the thing ? I looked under there and it is very difficult to access. I took some stuff off but it wasn't obvious how to get at it.


any help would be appreciated

talla

[quote=FMohlmann]Hi all,

I have a 1988 Pathfinder with the 3.0 engine on it. I replaced the thermostat ( the new one said 170 degree F, is that standard ?) Anyway the heater does not really heat the cabin. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this or are Pathfinder heaters just plain weak ?

What did you replace the thermostat with (brand)
I went through this exact same problem 2 yrs ago with my 3.0 kingcab
The heater in my 3.0 pathfinder was good though.
I tried 3 thermostats with no luck then went to The Nissan dealer & got the NISSAN thermostat & VOILA kick ass heater again.
Buy the NISSAN thermostat.
Alex

Pathfinder/Starfire

you need to unscrew the plastic shroud off the centre console that is around the heater controls and radio etc.then you should be able to unscrew the heatercontrol face plateand pull it out a few inches to check the cables at the back of the face plate. from memory to get at the other end of the cables you need to remove the radio and ash tray so you have enough room for your hands to get in there. I remember doing this twice about 6 years ago on two pathy's and it wasnt comfortable experiance. hope this helps you!

88pathoffroad

OEM thermostat temp is 190 degrees F. I have no idea where you found a 170, I can't find any at any parts stores or online. Wierd.

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FMohlmann

Thanks for the info 88PathOffRoad & PathFinder/Starfire. Extremely helpful.

I think I will go the dealer and get a 190 thermo and install it... I think that's the problem, because the heat comes out but luke warm, the temp guage only moves up about 3/16" and it moves very quickly after starting. It really sounds like at 170 / 190 issue. Will let you know how it turns out...

Why the $*%@ would parts store sell a 170, when the temp is meant to be 190. Wouldn't the thermo temp also affect gas mileage( mine is horrendous at about 12 mpg & performance ( it is a dog)

Again thanks very much for the info..

rick

jerryp58

I believe: that 190* - 210* is a "sweet spot" for many engines as far as emissions and longevity. Howerver, if the engine runs cooler, it may actually provide a little more power (probably on-paper, nothing you'd notice seat-of-the-pants) but emissions may suffer and wear & tear on the engine increases. Some people who live in warm climates and therefore don't need the heater, will take the extra power and trouble-free feeling (no worries of a thermostat failing and the system overheating -- there are thermostats that fail in the open position) of running without the thermostat.

I've tried lower than standard thermostats and have never noticed any improvement in power/efficiency.

__________________

Jerry
2004 Frontier, King Cab, XE, 4x1, 4-cyl, 5-spd

FMohlmann

OK, I called the local Nissan dealer and spoke to the parts guy. He told me there was NO 190 or 191 thermostat for a 1988 3.0 engine. he did have a 170 though.. Should I try another dealer ?

Was your 190 or 191 thermo for a 2.4 engine and not a 3.0 ?

I am confused.. I was hoping for a quick fix

thanks for the info..

SPEEDO

I did a little research and on the VG30I/VG30E I only found a 76.5c or 169.7 thermo, I did find a 88c or 190 on a Z24, but I dont think they will interchange, (the standard thermo for the Z24 is a 82c or 179) OK so I got a little bored.... hope it helped