Heater blowing cool air?

Tiny
JOMED7
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 NISSAN HARDBODY
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
My heater became noisy, air flow was limited and cool. Removed blower on Monday. Found it full of leaves. Cleaned it out and reinstalled and instantly had strong Hot air blowing. Temp gauge was at normal operating temp at this time and normal the entire time I've been driving/ Never showed signs of overheating at all. The next day (Tuesday) I still had strong air flow, blower was working and quiet, but only blowing Cool air now. Coolant level is good, up to neck filler tube and proper mix. All heat controls seem to be working. I'm assuming the door flap is opening when I switch from cool to hot, because on Monday I had heat. I did not do anything. Nothing at all except a visual check of coolant level, didn't need to add any. Temperature gauge still shows normal temperature. No overheating signs at all. Top radiator hose gets hot, bottom hose stays cool or slightly warm. Heater core hoses - has lower one hot and upper one a little warm. I'm assuming the water pump is fine. No signs of leaking and truck not overheating. So would you think my Thermostat is stuck open or closed? Maybe clogged radiator? It did sit for 2 years but I've been driving fine since July and again no overheating symptoms. Or does it point to my heater core? Heater core requires dash removal I think, yikes. If it's heater core, I could use a backflush/unclog procedure from you and hope for the best. Or if thermostat a R and R procedure for that would be appreciated. Or maybe radiator clogged possibility? Lastly, some advice from you on tests to do to isolate and confirm my issue. Thanks again so much, Jose
Friday, October 13th, 2023 AT 5:47 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,648 POSTS
It sounds like you have found the problem is that the thermostat is stuck open which will not allow the coolant to get hot enough for the heater to work and it will cause the lower radiator hose to be cool as well. Here is a generic guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

And this guide may help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, October 13th, 2023 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
JOMED7
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
Hi again. The thermostat replacement was the problem. I now have great heater function! It was a pain. The lower rad hose travels back and up behind the belts and up to therm. Housing. It starts out as rubber hose then it's only metal pipe before it's rubber again. Pipe is crimped and bracketed to power steering tensioner to clear belts. Barely and such a pain. Also 3 days later my idler pulley nut vibrated off. When I tightened it, pulley wouldn't spin. Guess I them loosened it to much. I replaced belt, pulley, and nut. This time I put blue thread lock on bolt. There is no spacer. Is this a proper fix to keep nut from coming off and allowing for pulley to still spin?
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Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 AT 8:24 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,648 POSTS
I am glad you got the heater working :) you will need to start a new question for the additional issue because we handle one problem per thread.
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Monday, October 23rd, 2023 AT 7:42 AM

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