Not enough heat out of the vents - how can I fix this?

First, check your coolant level to make sure it's not low. You can do so by looking at the plastic expansion (overflow) tank and by opening the radiator cap (when cold) and taking a peek inside the radiator.

Also remove the air bleeder bolt when you remove the radiator cap.

See the bolt that is on the top on the intake manifold in the pic (look towards the lower right near a bunch of hose connections)? It's the small bolt next to the sticker that reads NEVER OPEN WHEN HOT. That is your air bleeder bolt.



If you are low, then add coolant/water mix with both the radiator & the bleeder open. After it's full, close them. Also, make sure the expansion tank is up to the MAX line with coolant/water mix as well.

Run the engine at 2000 RPM for a minute or two. Turn the heater on as well. Shut off. Make sure radiator is cool, then check the coolant level again. Add coolant/water mix if necessary. Run the engine again, heater on, shut off, make sure it's cool, then check again...

I've opened up the cooling system on this car several times, and this is all that was required to get the air out. When I had air in the system, I could actually hear the water flowing into the heater core from inside the car.

Drive it and see how your heat is. If you still don't have much heat, it is most likely the thermostat.

When my thermostat started to go, the engine still warmed up eventually but it took a long time to for the TEMP Gauge needle to reach the middle of the Gauge.

Also, if I went down a long hill, the TEMP gauge would actually go down towards C.

To replace the thermostat, go to this link for instructions.

AutoZone.com | Vehicle Selection - Year

Here is where the thermostat is located.



You can buy thermostats from most auto parts stores or from Nissan.

I bought mine from Nissan and there are two types that were available. 76 C and 82 C. The numbers reference temperature in Celsius.

You want the 82 C thermostat as that what the car has in it from the factory and you'll get more heat.

Even on cold days, my car usually warms up in the first mile or so on the way to work.

Your are awesome!! Thanks for your help. I'm going to try this tomorrow. Just to make sure, I attached a pic with a red arrow pointing at what I think the bleeder is. Do I have to take it right out or just loosen it?





I'm excited to see if this works!!! BTW, what are the other circles for?

I've had a few problems with the heater. It's also blowing in a hellish smell when it just idling. At first I thought it was exhaust (which it might be), but then I though it could be power steering fluid! Is this possible? My power steer has been groaning lately when turning. Where is the hole in the firewall located? My gf has the car right now and I can't check. The smell is immediate when starting.

Thanks again for you help. I'm just praying it works.

Well, I did the bleeding of the system twice. I popped the hood, took out the bleeder, checked the rad, topped up the reservoir. Then I put the bleeder back in. Started the car and turned the heat on for about 2 mins. Then I checked the rad again. It seemed to have more fluid in it than before I started it. Then I repeated the latter steps again.

I'm not sure if it got the heat to as hot as my Pathfinder, but it does get warm. If I turn it up to 32C on my autoclimate control tho, it's not scolding hot like I think it should be. Should I perform further bleedings? Was I supposed to run the car/heater with the bleeder removed?

Now my big problem in the horrible smell that I get when I start it in the morning. I've just been using the 'recirc' option to keep the smell from getting. It's really annoying, even more annoying than the heat problems. I wish I could send the smell over the internet so you could me what it is. I popped the hood and just using my nose, it smelled like it was coming from the front left side of the compartment. Any ideas?